[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15040]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF GLORIA CAMACHO BORJA NELSON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 23, 2012

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service 
of Gloria Camacho Borja Nelson, a dedicated educator, community 
advocate, and leader within the Democratic Party of Guam. She passed 
away on October 14, 2012.
  Known affectionately as Lola to her family and friends, Gloria Nelson 
was born to Luis Quitugua Borja and Maria Camacho Borja on April 20, 
1935, in Guam's capital city of Hagatna. She was only six years old 
when Imperial Japanese forces invaded Guam during World War II.
  Although she was unable to begin her schooling until after the war, 
Gloria was determined to obtain an education and she completed her 
elementary and high school education in nine years, graduating from 
George Washington High School in 1955. She went on to receive an 
Associate of Arts Degree from the Territorial College of Guam, now the 
University of Guam, and obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in 
Education from the Ohio State University.
  While attending the Ohio State University, Lola met Ted S. Nelson 
whom she later married. Upon graduating from Ohio State, Ted and Lola 
attended the University of New Mexico, where they earned Masters of 
Arts degrees in Educational Administration and Supervision.
  Lola dedicated much of her life to educating Guam's children. As a 
classroom teacher she was firm and instilled in her students not only 
academic knowledge, but also self-confidence, motivation, and a desire 
to give back to their community. She is remembered by many who she 
taught as an enthusiastic and energetic educator who contained a wealth 
of knowledge of the histories of Guam and Micronesia, and a teacher who 
dedicated herself to the needs of her students, even beyond the 
classroom.
  Recognizing her commitment to education, Guam leaders frequently 
sought Lola's counsel in efforts to improve the island's school system. 
She was appointed a school principal, Associate Superintendent of 
Elementary Education, and Deputy Director of Education. In 1983, then-
Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo called on Lola to serve as the Director of 
Education, a position she held for 56 months. Lola would continue her 
service to Guam's public school system as the chairperson of the Board 
of Education for three years.
  Lola's devotion to the people of Guam extended beyond the classroom. 
She committed herself to many community organizations and gave freely 
of her time in service to those who needed it. She was elected 
president of Guam's Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, vice chair of the 
Latte of Freedom Foundation, president of the Guam Association of 
Retired Persons, GARP, chairperson of the Guam Election Commission, and 
most recently as the chair of the Democratic Party of Guam.
  One of her most notable achievements came in her fight to recover 
unpaid Cost of Living Allowance, COLA, benefits to Guam retirees from 
the government of Guam. As a member of GARP, Lola, along with Mrs. 
Candelaria Rios, waged and won a legal battle that forced the 
government of Guam to retroactively pay COLA benefits to retirees that 
were not paid for 13 years. Because of her efforts in this battle, the 
retiree benefits became known as the ``Lola Cola.''
  Lola will always be remembered for her warm, caring and compassionate 
concern for her island people. Her legacy and contributions to our 
community will live on in the hearts of the people of Guam. I will 
deeply miss my dear friend Gloria Camacho Borja Nelson. My prayers are 
with her husband, former Senator Ted S. Nelson and their children 
Gwendolyn and Raymond L.G. Taimanglo; Ted, Jr. and Stephanie C. Nelson; 
Glenn and AnnMarie F. Nelson; Rhonda and Manuel P. Calvo; and her 
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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