Eni Faleomavaega: “Mr. Speaker, as has been so eloquently stated by the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) and others before me…”

“Mr. Speaker, as has been so eloquently stated by the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) and others before me, reparations to the people of Guam, who were subjected to death, personal injury, forced labor, forced march and internment during World War II is long, long overdue. Mr. Speaker, before the military occupation of Guam, for some reason, it escapes me, at least this Member, the United States Territory of Guam was in existence. I have always asked the question why was it that these loyal Americans were not evacuated, properly evacuated before the occupation forces of Japan took over this island. Why was it that only U.S. citizens were evacuated? This bugs the heck out of me, Mr. Speaker. As has been noted, Guam was the only land under the jurisdiction of the United States to be occupied by Japanese military forces during World War II. The people of Guam could have, I suppose, greeted this new force with open arms, and perhaps spared themselves some of the misery they suffered during 3 years of brutal occupation by military forces of the Japanese government. But these loyal Americans did not. They were proud Americans before the occupation, during the occupation, and after the occupation.”