[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING ELAINE CRUZ JONES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES C. MOYLAN

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 8, 2026

  Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and mourn the 
passing of a truly remarkable woman from Guam, Mrs. Elaine Cruz Jones, 
who passed away on May 6, 2026, at the age of 87.
  For generations of Guam families, Elaine Jones was more than a 
respected businesswoman or community leader. She was ``Auntie Laine.'' 
A steady presence. A woman of grace, faith, generosity, and quiet 
strength whose life reflected the resilience and spirit of our island 
people.
  Elaine was born into Cruz family as one of eleven children of Augusto 
Pangelinan and Dolores Sablan Cruz. She grew up during one of the 
darkest chapters in Guam's history and survived the Japanese Occupation 
of Guam during World War II.
  That experience shaped her generation in profound ways. The people 
who endured occupation, hardship, fear, and uncertainty carried with 
them a deep understanding of sacrifice, perseverance, and gratitude. 
They became the builders of modern Guam. And Elaine Jones was part of 
that extraordinary generation.
  Following the war, Guam entered a period of rebuilding and 
transformation. Alongside her beloved husband, Kenneth T. Jones, Jr., 
Elaine helped support what would become one of Guam's most important 
and influential local businesses, J & G Enterprises.
  Together with Ken and his business partner, Segundo Leon Guerrero, 
they helped lay foundations for economic opportunity and local 
entrepreneurship at a time when Guam was still finding its footing 
after the devastation of war. But while many people may recognize the 
Jones family name because of business success, those who truly knew 
Auntie Laine understood that her legacy extended far beyond business.
  She was, first and foremost, devoted to her family. She was a loving 
wife to Ken and a proud mother to her five daughters--Donna, Ramona, 
Veronica, Linda, and Vivian--all of whom carry forward the values she 
instilled: faith, humility, compassion, and service to others.
  Anyone who spent time around Auntie Laine knew how deeply she loved 
her family and how proud she was of them. She led not through loud 
words, but through example. Through kindness. Through consistency. 
Through faith. And even after the passing of her husband, she continued 
to lead with dignity and strength, stepping forward as President of J & 
G Enterprises and continuing the family's commitment to giving back to 
Guam.
  Her life was deeply rooted in service to the community. Whether 
through philanthropy, civic involvement, support for local causes, or 
simply helping those in need quietly and without recognition, Auntie 
Laine represented a generation that believed success meant lifting 
others up along the way.
  She also remained unwavering in her devotion to her Catholic faith. 
Faith was not simply something she practiced on Sundays. It guided how 
she treated people, how she carried herself, and how she lived her life 
every single day. And that is perhaps what so many people will remember 
most about her--her warmth. Her humility. Her generosity. Her ability 
to make others feel welcomed and valued.
  On an island like Guam, where family and community are deeply 
connected, people like Elaine Jones leave an imprint that reaches far 
beyond their own relatives. They become woven into the story of the 
island itself. Her passing is not only a loss for her family, but for 
our entire community.
  Today, I extend my deepest condolences to her daughters, 
grandchildren, loved ones, and all who had the privilege of knowing 
her. As we reflect on her life, may we also reflect on the example she 
leaves behind: a life grounded in faith, resilience, service, and love 
for others.
  May Auntie Laine's memory continue to inspire future generations of 
Guam families to lead with compassion, generosity, and strength. And 
may we all take comfort in knowing that her legacy will endure through 
the countless lives she touched throughout her 87 years.

                          ____________________