[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21564]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   CONGRATULATING GUAM LITTLE LEAGUE AND GUAM SENIOR LEAGUE ALL STARS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 1, 2001

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, as this year's baseball season comes to a 
close, I would be remiss if I failed to make mention of the 
accomplishments of a number of impressive young individuals from Guam. 
This year Guam's Little League and Senior League competed in the World 
Series tournaments of their respective leagues. Guam's Little League 
All Stars finished third in the annual tournament held in Williamsport, 
Pennsylvania while their Senior League counterparts finished fourth in 
the tournament held at Kissimmee, Florida. Both tournaments were held 
last August.
  After winning the Guam Major Little League All-Island Tournament, 
Guam's Central Little League All Stars went on to represent the island 
in the Pacific Tournament held in Hong Kong between July 26, and August 
3, earlier this year. Guam emerged from this tournament as the Pacific 
champions earning this group of enthusiastic ballplayers a trip to the 
annual Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. By 
beating the Philippines at the 2001 Major Little League Pacific 
Tournament at Tsingyi Sports Ground in Hong Kong with a score of 15-0, 
the Central All Stars earned for Guam its first ever berth in the 
Little League World Series. This evoked much pride for the island as 
the young men competed at a higher level of competition.
  The Guam team made an impressive debut as they beat Mexico with a 
score of 6-5 in their opening game. Their next game was a shut out--
beating the European champions, Russia with a score of 5-0. They went 
on to overcome a 3-run deficit in their third game to beat Canada 6-5. 
After advancing to the semi-finals with a 3-0 record, the Central All-
Stars were defeated by Curacao to finish third in the series. Although 
there were some feelings of disappointment among this group of little 
leaguers, they have come to a consensus that their performance was 
nothing short of exceptional.
  Their Senior League counterparts also have a reason to hold their 
heads up high. Already the five-time defending Far East champions, 
Guam's Senior League team, earned its fifth consecutive trip to the 
Annual Senior League Baseball World Series by beating the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands in a best-of-three series during the 
Senior League Far East Tournament. Out of the nine teams that 
participated, Guam, representing the Far East, finished fourth.
  Upon their homecoming, the young men received a heroes' welcome at 
the A.B. Won Pat International Airport. For their performances in and 
out of the ballfield, they were hailed as goodwill ambassadors for the 
island. They came back as better players after having been exposed to a 
higher level of competitions while, at the same time, being acquainted 
with extra-ordinary discipline, gaining self respect, and learning how 
to perform under pressure in front of thousands of spectators. Under 
the direction of former Mayor Greg Calvo, the Guam Little League 
Baseball, Inc., along with the support of the teams' managers, coaches, 
family members and the community should be commended for all of their 
support and commitment to the local baseball program.
  Baseball is truly the American past time. This is best demonstrated 
by young men playing the game competitively while still untainted by 
cynicism and commercialization. As illustrated by the Senior League and 
Little League World Series Tournaments, the game brings friends, 
families, communities, and the world together. I am both proud and 
pleased that young men from my home island of Guam are able to 
contribute and participate in this experience and in the end take pride 
in their performance.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend and congratulate these young men along with 
their managers and coaches for their accomplishments and for giving the 
island of Guam additional reasons to be proud of their island. I would 
like to submit for the Record the team rosters of the 2001 Far East 
Senior League Champions and the 2001 Pacific Little League Champions.

                        2001 GLL Senior Division

       Central LL President: Frank J.C. Camacho.
       Central LL Vice-President: Lurline White.
       Manager: Tony Calvo.
       Head Coach: Joe Hernandez.
       Assistant Coach: Andy Quintanilla.
       Players: Michael Dene Aguon, Jaylon Alvarez, Keith Castro, 
     Eric Cepeda, Joshua Cruz, Chris Duenas, Joe Guerrero, Tommy 
     Hernandez, Brian Manibusan, R.J. Miner, Mark Reyes, Luis San 
     Nicolas, Gerald Santos, Miller Santos.

            2001 Central Division All-Stars (Little League)

       Manager: Ramon C. Aguon.
       Head Coach: Michael R. Aguon.
       Assistant Coach: Stephen Barcinas.
       Players: Derwin Aguon, Eugene Aguon, Matthew Barcinas, 
     Freddie Cepeda, Derek Daga, Darryl Delgado, Alejandro Diaz, 
     Kurt Diaz, Kristopher Kaneshiro, Michael Peredo, Samuel 
     Roberto, Henry Salas, Aaron Sanchez, Robert Weekly.

     

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