[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 163 (Tuesday, September 21, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN IRIARTE WHITT

                                 ______
                                 

                   HON. AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 21, 2021

  Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of John 
Iriarte Whitt who passed away on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at the 
University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen 
Bernie, Maryland.
  John had a decades long career in public service working as an 
important advisor to several of Guam's key elected leaders over the 
years including Gov. Ricardo Bordallo, Gov. Carl Gutierrez, Congressman 
Robert Underwood, and Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo.
  He was proud of his Chamoru heritage and was a longtime member of the 
Guam Society of America. He understood what it meant to be a Pacific 
Islander and lived his life serving others. He was a true patriot and 
was proud of his military service.
  As a graduate of the Air Force Academy and a B-52 Pilot, John had a 
tactical mind, which he put to good use developing political strategies 
and policy not just for the benefit of the people of Guam, but also for 
American Samoa and the rest of the territories.
  When I was first elected to Congress, John was still the Chief of 
Staff for Congresswoman Bordallo and was a great help to my freshman 
office. He was quick to volunteer his time and expertise not only with 
matters of policy, but with fostering a sense of camaraderie among the 
territorial delegation.
  His passing is not just a loss for Guam, but for the Pacific region 
at large. He will be missed.

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