[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 58 (Friday, April 1, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MASTER WEAVER FLORENTINA ``FLOREN'' 
                              MENO PAULINO

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. MICHAEL F.Q. SAN NICOLAS

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 1, 2022

  Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
legacy of Master Weaver Florentina ``Floren'' Meno Paulino. Master 
Weaver Paulino, or ``Tan Floren'' as she is affectionately known, was 
an esteemed artist, pillar of CHamoru tradition, and fountain of wisdom 
for the People of Guam. Our community will fondly remember her as a 
woman whose generous spirit and commitment to cultural preservation 
have and will continue to extend far beyond the fringes of her woven 
works.
  As a young girl having grown up as part of the Greatest Generation of 
Guam, Tan Floren learned the basic skills of weaving from her father to 
contribute to her family and community. From baskets to mats, woven 
items were a significant part of daily life for CHamorus. By age 
twelve, Tan Floren began crafting items such as guagua' nengkanno' and 
tuhong siha--respectively translated as food baskets and hats. As she 
continued to learn and develop her skills, the knowledge she obtained 
from family and friends brought her to a level of proficiency required 
for weaving decorative items such as paluma, uhang, adothonulu, and 
inareklan flores--otherwise known as birds, shrimp, head bands, and 
floral arrangements. Over the years, her continued practice and growth 
paved the way for her to rise as a traditional master weaver 
specializing in plaiting coconut palm and pandanus leaves into 
utilitarian and decorative items.
  Navigating new opportunities to pass on the traditional art of 
weaving, Tan Floren found a home in the Gef Pa'go Cultural Village 
where she could demonstrate her skills. For decades, she taught 
traditional weaving methods and articles for tourists, guests and 
student visitors alike. This passion for sharing knowledge with and 
empowering others poured out into other areas of her life as well, 
having retired from the Government of Guam after years of service at 
Inalahan Elementary School, lnalahan Middle School, and Talo'fo'fo 
Elementary School. She further maintained an active role in community 
life by participating in numerous cultural events across our island and 
region throughout the year. Moreover, she received formal recognition 
as a Master Weaver by the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities 
Agency (CAHA) in 1997 as part of the Masters of CHamoru Tradition 
poster series.
  Master Weaver Florentina ``Floren'' Meno Paulino is an icon of 
resilience who continues to inspire many throughout our island and 
region to remain steadfast in their pursuits of ancestral knowledge and 
indigenous rediscovery. Her tireless dedication to perpetuating the 
values of life, family, and culture central to our CHamoru identity 
resonate acutely with me, and I join the People of Guam in remembering 
and celebrating her life and legacy of deep-rooted community service. 
My family and I wish to extend our hearts and prayers for Master Weaver 
Florentina ``Floren'' Meno Paulino, her family, and friends. She will 
be dearly missed, and her love and memories will forever remain in the 
hearts of the People of Guam.

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