[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18071]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE WAR IN THE PACIFIC NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ON ITS 
                            30TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2008

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the War in 
the Pacific National Historical Park on Guam on the occasion of its 
30th anniversary. In August 1978, the War in the Pacific National 
Historical Park was established by Public Law 95-348 to commemorate the 
bravery and sacrifices of those involved in the Pacific Theater of 
World War II and to preserve the historic sites on Guam. As we join 
together for this celebration, let us also remember the Park's mission 
to preserve a unique story in American history that strives to honor 
not only the courage of our liberators, but the patriotism of the 
liberated.
  For the past 30 years, the War in the Pacific National Historical 
Park has preserved seven units on Guam. These units include 
battlefields, trenches, gun emplacements, and historic structures 
throughout the island. Because of the diligent efforts made by the 
National Park Service to preserve the story of the occupation and 
liberation of Guam from December 8, 1941 to July 21, 1944, visitors are 
able to learn about the battle for Guam by visiting sites at the Asan 
Bay Overlook, Agat Beach Unit and Ga'an Point, Asan Beach Unit, Fonte 
Plateau Unit, Mt. Alifan Unit, Mt. Chachao/Mt. Tenjo Unit, and Piti 
Guns Unit.
  During this 30th anniversary, we are especially honored to commend 
the National Park Service for the 2008 restoration project of the 
Memorial Wall at the Asan Bay Overlook. Inscribed on the Memorial Wall 
are the names of the thousands of individuals, liberators who died in 
the battle for Guam, and the liberated who died or suffered injury, 
forced labor, forced march and internment during the occupation of 
Guam. Through this restoration project, the National Park Service has 
ensured that our island will have this lasting monument to honor and 
remember Guam's greatest generation.
  We commend the National Park Service on the reopening of the T. Stell 
Newman Visitors Center. In 2002, the Visitors Center, formerly located 
in Piti, was destroyed by Supertyphoon Pongsona, but has since been 
restored for the public at its new location in Sumay. This restoration 
was made possible through a successful partnership between the National 
Park Service and the U.S. Navy.
  The War in the Pacific National Historical Park is an extraordinary 
way for the people of Guam and our fellow Americans to recognize the 
history of Guam and the battles in the Pacific Theater. On behalf of 
the people of Guam, I congratulate the War in the Pacific National 
Historical Park for a successful 30 years of service to our island and 
our Nation and I wish them continued success in the decades to come.

                          ____________________