[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 8 (Monday, January 12, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E24]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING DR. MARY OKADA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES C. MOYLAN

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 12, 2026

  Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Mary Okada as 
she concludes a remarkable chapter of service as President of Guam 
Community College, after many years dedicated to education, workforce 
development, and the people of Guam.
  Dr. Okada's leadership at Guam Community College has been historic. 
She became the first woman to lead the institution and went on to serve 
longer than any president before her. That continuity mattered. It 
provided stability, direction, and trust at a time when higher 
education was facing rapid change and increasing demands.
  Long before becoming president, Dr. Okada served Guam Community 
College in key financial and administrative roles. She also brought 
experience from the Guam Department of Education.
  Because of that background, she understood the institution not only 
from the classroom level, but from the operational side--how to manage 
resources, plan responsibly, and make decisions that would stand the 
test of time.
  Under her leadership, Guam Community College strengthened its role as 
Guam's primary engine for workforce training and career education. 
Programs expanded to meet the real needs of the island, preparing 
students for skilled trades, healthcare, public service, and emerging 
technical fields. These were not abstract academic offerings; they were 
pathways to stable jobs and stronger families.
  Dr. Okada placed a strong emphasis on financial responsibility and 
accountability. Through careful planning and disciplined management, 
Guam Community College maintained long-term fiscal stability and earned 
consistent confidence from auditors, policymakers, and the broader 
community. That kind of stewardship is not always visible, but it is 
essential to an institution's success.
  She also understood that education cannot exist in isolation. During 
her tenure, Guam Community College strengthened partnerships with 
government agencies, private employers, and regional organizations to 
ensure that training programs aligned with workforce demand. As a 
result, students left GCC better prepared to step directly into the 
workforce and contribute to Guam's economy.
  Dr. Okada served as a respected voice for Guam and the Pacific in 
national and regional education discussions. She represented the 
interests of island communities in conversations about access, 
opportunity, and workforce development, ensuring that Guam was not 
overlooked in broader policy discussions.
  Her leadership extended beyond a single campus. She served on 
accreditation bodies, education councils, and advisory boards, helping 
shape policies and standards that affect students well beyond Guam. 
Through this work, she elevated career and technical education and 
reinforced its importance as a respected and viable pathway.
  Those who worked with Dr. Okada describe her as thoughtful, steady, 
and deeply committed to students. She led with consistency and care, 
focused not on short-term recognition, but on building systems that 
would continue to serve students long after her tenure.
  As she steps away from her role at Guam Community College, her impact 
is evident in the thousands of students whose lives were shaped by the 
education and training they received. Her legacy is reflected not only 
in programs and facilities, but in opportunity created and futures 
strengthened.
  Mr. Speaker, Guam Community College plays a vital role in our 
island's success, and Dr. Okada's leadership helped ensure that a role 
was carried out with purpose, responsibility, and vision. I thank Dr. 
Okada, for her years of service and for the lasting contributions she 
has made to Guam and its people--past, present, and future.

                          ____________________