[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 17] [House] [Pages 24229-24230] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, December 7, the people of the United States will take the time to remember the attack on Pearl Harbor, which occurred nearly 60 years ago. In ceremonies at Pearl Harbor and particularly at the USS Arizona Memorial, we will take the time to remember the attack on our country, and we will pay tribute to those who died during that fateful Sunday morning. Our tribute and our effort will be made more significant as we simultaneously reflect on the heinous attack on our people made nearly 3 months ago in New York City and at the Pentagon across the river from Washington, D.C. On the same day that Pearl Harbor was attacked, an American territory was also attacked at Wake Island and the then Commonwealth of the Philippines and my home island of Guam. Guam endured some 32 months of a brutal enemy occupation in which my people were tested and proved their loyalty and steadfastness to the principles that make America great. But that day was December 8, 1941, on the other side of the international dateline, and it is that day that brings back the thoughts of struggle and bravery and patriotism and sacrifice which marks the World War II experience of the people of Guam. But there is another story which needs to be told and which links the attacks on Guam and Pearl Harbor in a unique way. The people of Guam were present at Pearl Harbor. The people of Guam fought at Pearl Harbor, and the people at Guam died at Pearl Harbor. We know of at least 12 American sailors who were from Guam and who perished during that fateful morning. Six were aboard the USS Arizona and their names are on the solemn Arizona Memorial alongside their shipmates. Their sacrifice and devotion to duty have never specifically been recognized, and I will do so this weekend in Honolulu with a solemn wreath-laying at the Arizona Memorial. The 12 Chamorro men who perished have a unique story to tell. All were mess attendants. All were part of a military institution at the time which allowed Chamorro men from Guam to join the U.S. Navy only as officers' mess attendants, cooks and stewards. However, they were not bitter, and they performed their duties and responsibilities in an exemplary way. They were grateful for the opportunity to join because only a limited number of men were accepted from Guam annually into the Navy during the decade prior to World War II. This provided an opportunity for them to become U.S. [[Page 24230]] citizens and the chance to prove themselves, their devotion to duty and sacrifices made more special because of the circumstances of their service. They were not yet American citizens, they were denied the opportunity to serve in a different capacity, and they were sometimes not given the respect which they deserved. Yet they proudly served; and they passed along their patriotism, love of service, and pride of island to succeeding generations. It is no longer remarkable to see Chamorro men from Guam serve in the military in a wide variety of capacities. It is not even remarkable to see so many Chamorros today serving as officers who themselves are the children and the grandchildren of these mess attendants. In fact, the master of ceremonies for this weekend's ceremony is Commander Peter Gumataotao, the son of Afustin Gumataotao, one of the mess attendants who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. The people of Guam stand taller today because they stood on the shoulders of these men, and I certainly would like to pay them a tribute by reading the names of our elders: Gregorio San Nicolas Aguon, Nicolas San Nicolas Fegurgur, Francisco Reyes Mafnas, Vicente Gogue Meno, Jose Sanchez Quinata, Francisco Unpingco Rivera, Ignacio Camacho Farfan, Jose San Nicolas Flores, Jesus Francisco Garcia, Andres Franquez Mafnas, Jesus Manalisay Mata, Enrique Castro Mendiola. {time} 1800 On Guam, we will never forget these men. In many Chamorro families around the country, we will not forget these men. We must make sure that every time we remember Pearl Harbor, we remember all of the men who were there and who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The wreath will be inscribed ``Ti manmaleffa ham--ningaian.'' We will never forget--never. In this, the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, we will not forget. ____________________