[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 23, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E289-E290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING JUDGE ANITA SUKOLA ON THE OCCASION OF HER 
                               RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. MICHAEL F. Q. SAN NICOLAS

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 23, 2021

  Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a true 
public servant and a fine example of women leadership, the Honorable 
Anita A. Sukola. I congratulate her on her retirement after 36 years of 
service to the people of Guam in our government as a respected 
educator, attorney, and judge.
  Early in her career, Judge Anita Sukola maintained a firm commitment 
to the betterment of our community through education. After graduating 
from John F. Kennedy High School in 1969, she went on to Washington 
State University and earned her bachelor's degree in History and 
Secondary Education. Hoping to foster her same passion for growth and 
learning in others, she became a full-time educator in the public 
school system while working towards her master's degree in 
Administration and Supervision. By 1983, Judge Sukola obtained her 
Juris Doctor from the People's College of Law and expanded her role in 
educating our island's youth through her appointment as Deputy Director 
of the Department of Education. The following year, she was confirmed 
to serve as the DOE Director and continued her service through this 
position until 1991. During her tenure at DOE, she simultaneously 
contributed to our island community as Chairperson for the Government 
of Guam Retirement Fund Board of Directors for eight years. Her role as 
an educator also extended beyond the public school system with an 
assistant professorship at the University of Guam's Criminal Justice 
program. In this capacity, she helped to develop minds that would 
eventually go on to pursue careers in various areas of law, police, 
probation, social work, and other security and military organizations.
  Upon closing her chapter with DOE, Judge Sukola established a private 
practice alongside late Justice Monessa G. Lujan and served Guam 
through this partnership for nearly 11 years. Prior to her judgeship, 
she further fortified her legal expertise through service as an 
attorney with the Public Defender Service Corporation, Legal Counsel 
for

[[Page E290]]

the Port Authority of Guam Board of Directors and Chamorro Land Trust 
Commission, and Staff Attorney to former Senator Don Parkinson of the 
17th Guam Legislature. Demonstrating her sharp mind, capacity for 
excellence, and disposition of fairness for almost two decades in law, 
Judge Sukola established herself as a champion of justice and respected 
pillar of our community. In 2002, Governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez 
recognized these outstanding qualities and appointed her to serve as a 
trial court judge at the Judiciary of Guam, wherein she handled a 
diverse docket ranging from family violence cases to complex civil 
litigation. In addition to her various court assignments of General 
Jurisdiction, Mental Health Court, Family Court I, and Juvenile Drug 
Court, Judge Sukola also brought new meaning to the mission of making 
justice accessible to all as a Co-Chair of the Judiciary's Juvenile 
Justice Reform Focus Area on Evidence-Based Practices and 2016-2019 
Strategic Plan Focus Area on Access to Courts and Delivery of Services 
as well as the Subcommittees on Pro-Se Litigation and Criminal Jury 
Instructions.
  Throughout her career and in her judicial service, Judge Sukola has 
built an exemplary legacy of compassionate service and understanding 
through professionalism which doubly emanates from her courtroom. 
Recognized for her interminable advocacy for the welfare and best 
interests of Guam's children and their families while specifically 
advancing the System of Care and Wraparound in the Juvenile Court 
System and promoting cultural sensitivity, Judge Sukola received the 
icareguam 2017 Goodwill Ambassador Award. Judge Anita Sukola served our 
island with incredible distinction and continues to inspire many 
members of our community. Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of the people 
of Guam, offering my greatest appreciation for Judge Sukola's 
commitment to justice for all on our island. Her dedication to our 
youth and families, fidelity to justice, and unwavering integrity is 
commendable, and I sincerely thank her for her many years of service, 
congratulate her on a well-deserved retirement, and wish her the best 
as she embarks on a new chapter in life.

                          ____________________