[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20037]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF LIBERATION OF GUAM DURING WORLD WAR II

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2004

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, since the end of the Spanish-American War 
in 1898, the island of Guam, whose residents I have the privilege of 
representing here in Congress, has been a territory of the United 
States and a part of the American family. The Department of the Navy 
administered the U.S. Territory of Guam from the time the island was 
ceded to the United States under the terms of the Treaty of Paris until 
December 8, 1941, when, during World War II, Imperial Japanese military 
forces attacked, invaded and then occupied Guam. The attack on Guam 
occurred only hours following the December 7, 1941, Japanese bombing of 
Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, at the time also a territory of the United 
States; the different dates owing to the International Date Line.
  The enemy occupation of Guam lasted approximately two-and-a-half 
years, from December 10, 1941 until July 21, 1944. The occupation was a 
time of tremendous hardship for the Chamorro people, the indigenous 
people of Guam. The people of Guam, who were U.S. nationals at the 
time, remained steadfastly loyal to the United States. Residents of the 
island, who numbered approximately 22,000, were subjected to forced 
labor, forced marches and deprivation at the hands of an enemy 
corroborating with the Axis forces. In the weeks prior to liberation, 
which came on July 21, 2004, the brutality of the occupying army 
increased with severe beatings and public executions. Groups of 
Chamorro men, women, and children were herded into caves on separate 
occasions and massacred. The entire population was forced to march to 
several internment camps in the southern part of the island.
  On July 21, 1944, units of the 3rd Marine Division, 77th Army 
Infantry Division and 1st Marine Provisional Brigade, comprising a 
total force of roughly 55,000 service members, stormed the shores of 
Asan and Agat in southern Guam beginning the campaign to liberate the 
only American community to have been occupied by a foreign power since 
the War of 1812. Thirteen consecutive days of heavy naval and air 
bombardment preceded the landing of U.S. forces to weaken Japanese 
defense of the island.
  Intense and fierce combat between the U.S. forces and the entrenched 
Japanese Army, which numbered 18,500 men, continued until August 10, 
1944, when organized resistance ended and the U.S. forces seized 
control of the island. The Battle for Guam was marked by combat on 
difficult terrain against a well-prepared enemy. The Japanese defended 
the island from positions located in caves, tunnels, and from pillboxes 
situated on the beaches, cliffs, and hillsides overlooking the invasion 
beaches. Today, these beaches and many of these defensive positions are 
preserved within the War in the Pacific National Historical Park, 
established by Congress in 1978 (Public Law 95-348). This Park is the 
only site in the National Park System that honors the bravery and 
sacrifices of all individuals, service members and civilians, who 
experienced World War II in the Pacific Theater.
  Over 1,100 Chamorros died as a result of the occupation of Guam, and 
every Chamorro endured one form or another of brutality, including 
personal injury, forced labor, forced march or internment during the 
occupation. Approximately 1,800 U.S. Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen 
and Coast Guardsmen were killed in action during the Battle for Guam. 
There were over 8,000 U.S. casualties. The Japanese suffered over 
17,500 casualties, the large majority of which ended in death.
  Today, Guam remains a territory of the United States. Congress 
extended U.S. citizenship to the people of Guam after World War II in 
1950 (Public Law 81-630). Guam's current economy is largely tied to the 
Japanese economy given the proximity of the two and the importance of 
Japanese tourism to the island. The one million Japanese tourists the 
people of Guam welcome each year is a testament to the peace and 
friendship that has emerged between the United States and Japan since 
the end of World War II. The people of Guam remain an important part of 
this international friendship.
  H. Res. 737 recognizes the Liberation of Guam on the occasion of the 
60th Anniversary. In doing so, the resolution calls attention to the 
unique experience endured by the people of Guam and the extraordinary 
heroism displayed by the U.S. service members who took part in the 
battle to recapture Guam. The resolution further encourages the 
American people to commemorate the Liberation of Guam and to observe 
the anniversary of the battles of the Pacific Theater during World War 
II. Lastly, the resolution requests the Secretary of the Interior to 
establish commemorative programs honoring the liberators and the people 
of Guam at the War in the Pacific National Historical Park. These 
commemorations, which precede the commemorations next year of the 60th 
Anniversary of the end of the War in the Pacific, give context to the 
extensive and difficult Pacific campaign.
  I believe this Congressional recognition of the Liberation of Guam 
will enhance public understanding of and appreciation for the 
occupation experience of the people of Guam and the heroism of the 
liberators who took part in the battle to recapture Guam. I want to 
draw attention to the commendable efforts of the National Park Service, 
and, specifically, the efforts led by the personnel at the War in the 
Pacific National Historical Park, that have been made to date in the 
development of programs to commemorate the Liberation of Guam. These 
efforts notably include the recent enhancement of the Park's official 
Web site that now provides Internet access to many historical 
publications and approximately 700 historical photographs. These 
efforts are important in the absence of a restored museum and visitor 
contact facility following Supertyphoon Pongsona, which damaged Park 
property in December 2002. I encourage the continuation and expansion 
of such efforts consistent with the Park's mission. I also encourage a 
concerted effort to seek input from residents of Guam and veterans of 
World War II in the development of these and future commemorative 
programs.
  Today, the Liberation of Guam is one of the most important 
commemorations held annually on the island. Liberation Day on Guam is a 
time of remembrance and celebration. The people of Guam commemorate the 
sacrifices of those who endured the occupation and those who gave their 
lives to liberate the island, and we celebrate the triumph of our 
people over adversity and oppression. As we move forward from July 21, 
2004 to the 61st Anniversary on July 21, 2005, it is my hope we all 
reflect on our freedom and remember the sacrifices of those that came 
before us. I know this House has long been reminded of the Guam story. 
My predecessors, Mr. Won Pat, Mr. Blaz, and Mr. Underwood, would often 
take to the floor to speak to this body about the significance of 
Guam's role in World War II, the greatest conflict of the last century. 
Through their efforts the story of Guam's occupation and liberation has 
found its place in the national history of World War II. I, like they, 
seek to protect this history, to educate our country about our 
experience, and to bring appropriate and due recognition for our people 
and our veterans.

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