[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 8 (Monday, January 12, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E25]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF SENATOR CARMEN A. KASPERBAUER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES C. MOYLAN

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 12, 2026

  Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the 
life and legacy of Carmen Artero Kasperbauer, whose life reflected a 
deep and enduring commitment to service and community.
  Born in 1935, Carmen grew up during one of the most difficult periods 
in Guam's history, the Japanese occupation of World War II. As a child, 
she witnessed hardship, fear, and sacrifice that shaped her 
understanding of responsibility and resilience at an early age.
  Like many families on Guam, hers faced extraordinary risk during the 
occupation. Their decision to help protect U.S. Navy radioman George 
Tweed was an act of quiet courage, one that reflected the loyalty of 
the CHamoru people during a time when such choices carried severe 
consequences.
  These experiences were not abstract history for Carmen; they were 
formative moments that guided her life's work. She chose a path of 
service as a registered nurse, dedicating herself to the care of others 
and to strengthening her community through compassion. For her, service 
was not simply just a career. It reflected her belief that service 
begins with showing up for people when they are most vulnerable.
  Her commitment to public service did not stop there. In 1979, she was 
elected to the Guam Legislature, where she served as a senator for two 
terms. At a time when women were still fighting for equal footing in 
political leadership, Carmen Kasperbauer brought both strength and 
humility to the legislative process. She was known not for 
grandstanding, but for her steadiness, her preparation, and her deep 
concern for the people she represented. As a senator, she believed that 
public service meant listening first and putting people ahead of 
politics.
  She did her work carefully, asked thoughtful questions, and focused 
on what would truly help the people of Guam.
  She carried into public office the same values she lived by every 
day--respect for others, responsibility to community, and a strong 
sense of duty. These values guided her decisions, whether she was 
serving in the Legislature, working as a nurse, or helping her 
neighbors. Those who knew her remember her as the person who always 
showed up, did the work, and never sought attention.
  Beyond her formal roles, Carmen remained an active voice in Guam's 
community life. In later years, she shared her firsthand experiences of 
the war, ensuring that the sacrifices of Guam's people were not 
forgotten, minimized, or rewritten. Her testimony helped remind future 
generations that Guam's history is inseparable from America's, and that 
our island's people paid a very real price for freedom.
  Carmen Kasperbauer passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 90. Her 
life spanned generations of change on Guam, from war and recovery to a 
steady life of service rooted in community. Through it all, she 
embodied resilience, service, and quiet patriotism.
  Mr. Speaker, Guam is a small island, but its contributions to this 
Nation are immense. Her life is a powerful example of that truth. Guam 
has lost a matriarch, but her legacy of service lives on through her 
husband, Dr. Larry Kasperbauer, and her children. On behalf of a 
grateful island, a very big thanks to the Senator. She will be deeply 
missed.

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