[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E537-E538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING LUCIA G. McDONALD

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. JAMES C. MOYLAN

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 8, 2026

  Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a remarkable woman 
whose life reflects the resilience, faith, and strength that have 
helped shape our island of Guam for generations--Ms. Lucia G. 
McDonald--as she reaches the extraordinary milestone of her 100th 
birthday.
  Born on November 29, 1926, Lucia has witnessed a century of history 
and has lived a life marked by perseverance, devotion, and unwavering 
commitment to family. Reaching one hundred years of age is an 
incredible accomplishment. Yet what makes this occasion truly special 
is not simply the number of years she has lived, but the legacy she has 
built throughout those years.
  Ms. McDonald's story is also a story of Guam. As a young girl growing 
up in pre-war Hagatna, she enjoyed a childhood filled with family, 
friends, and the simple joys of island life. She fondly remembered 
walking through the streets of Hagatna with her friends, enjoying the 
close-knit community that defined Guam before World War II. Her family 
was preparing for a major move to California, where her stepfather, a 
member of the United States Navy, had gone ahead to establish a home 
for them. But history had other plans.
  The outbreak of World War II and the Japanese occupation forever 
altered the course of her life. Like many members of Guam's Greatest 
Generation, Lucia endured years of hardship, uncertainty, and fear. Her 
family was forced from their home and sought refuge with relatives in 
rural areas of the island. They experienced food shortages, violence, 
and the daily realities of living under occupation. They witnessed the 
devastation of war and the destruction of the community they once knew. 
Through it all, Lucia survived. Her experiences stand as a powerful 
reminder of the sacrifices and suffering endured by the people of Guam 
during one of the darkest chapters in our island's history.
  Following the war, she helped build a new life. In 1948, Lucia 
married Charles Henry Mariano McDonald, and together they built a home 
and family in Agana Heights. Their marriage would span nearly five 
decades and be blessed with twelve children. Through the years, their 
family continued to grow, eventually including 37 grandchildren, 58 
great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. Few 
accomplishments speak more powerfully to a life well lived than 
generations of family gathered together because of the love and 
foundation established by a mother and grandmother.
  While raising twelve children, Lucia embraced her role as a 
homemaker. She managed a busy household while helping care for a large 
farm filled with livestock, crops, and the countless responsibilities 
that came with supporting a growing family. Yet despite the demands of 
raising children and maintaining a home, she always found time for 
family gatherings, community events, and helping others. Friends and 
relatives knew her as someone who enjoyed bringing people together and 
celebrating life's special moments.
  Faith has always been at the center of Lucia's life. She devoted 
countless hours to her church and parish community. Whether preparing 
food for church functions, participating in Christian Mothers 
activities, leading rosaries, or attending daily Mass, she lived her 
faith through service. Her family describes her as someone who would 
carefully prepare herself each day before heading to church, eager to 
participate and contribute. Even today, despite the challenges that 
naturally come with age, her love for prayer and worship remains 
strong. Her family notes that while age may have affected certain 
abilities, her prayers and church hymns continue to ring out clearly 
and proudly.
  Another remarkable part of Lucia's story is her connection to one of 
Guam's historic family businesses. Her family traces its roots to the 
pre-war ``Home Bakery,'' established through the efforts of her parents 
and relatives, a venture that helped serve the community and would 
become part of Guam's broader business history. That entrepreneurial 
spirit, commitment to family, and dedication to community service have 
continued throughout the generations that followed.
  Today, as we recognize Lucia McDonald on her 100th birthday, we 
celebrate far more than a centennial milestone. We celebrate a World 
War II survivor, devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-
grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, whose life has touched 
countless people across our island.

[[Page E538]]

  On behalf of the people of Guam and the United States House of 
Representatives, I extend my deepest congratulations to Lucia on 
reaching this extraordinary milestone. May her story continue to 
inspire future generations, and may she be blessed with continued 
health, happiness, and the love of family and friends.

                          ____________________