[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24119]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF MAJOR HENRY SAN NICOLAS OFECIAR, U.S. 
                                  ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 10, 2007

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay grateful tribute to 
the life of MAJ Henry San Nicolas Ofeciar who recently made the 
ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan for our Nation. MAJ Henry Ofeciar, 
37, lost his life in the cause of freedom in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, as 
a result of an attack on August 27, 2007. The people of Guam suffer the 
loss of outstanding soldiers like Major Ofeciar with profound sadness. 
But it is Henry's loved ones and friends who bear the greatest burden 
and for whom we send our messages of support and gratitude.
  MAJ Henry Ofeciar graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1988. 
He joined the University of Guam Reserve Officers Training Corps, ROTC, 
where he excelled as a leader and as a soldier. Henry Ofeciar graduated 
from the University of Guam in 1993, and received his commission as a 
second lieutenant in the United States Army in 1994, beginning a 
distinguished career of service to our country. He earned a master of 
arts degree in business administration and public administration from 
Syracuse University in 2005, continuing his development as a 
professional soldier.
  MAJ Henry Ofeciar was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry 
Division, Fort Riley, KS. Major Ofeciar, like the many sons of Guam who 
served before him and gave their lives in defense of our country, 
served with honor and distinction. He lost his life answering the call 
to duty of our Nation, fighting in Afghanistan in order to help make 
the United States more secure. For his sacrifice on our behalf, we will 
always be eternally grateful.
  We offer our thoughts and prayers to Henry's wife Angali, who he 
married in January 2007. We offer our deepest sympathies to his 
parents, Agnes S.N. and Leonard Rillera of Talofofo, Guam, and Pedro 
and Lougene Ofeciar of El Paso, TX. We also extend our sympathies to 
his sisters and brothers, Orlene Ofeciar Arriola, Pete, Doreen, Chris, 
April, and Patrick San Nicolas Ofeciar. On behalf of a grateful country 
and the people of Guam, we share their loss and we offer our prayers 
for their comfort.
  Henry Ofeciar had a favorite quote from the Greek philosopher 
Epictetus, which epitomizes his personal commitment to duty, ``First 
say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.'' 
Today we honor MAJ Henry Ofeciar, a hero who did what he set out to do, 
and for whom we will be forever in his debt. His family, his people, 
and his fellow soldiers take pride in knowing that we will all remember 
him for many years for what he did for us. God bless MAJ Henry Ofeciar, 
God bless Guam, and God bless the United States of America.

                          ____________________