Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 74th anniversary of the liberation of Guam during World War II. This morning, I just came from Arlington National Cemetery, where Ms. Irene Sgambelluri, a survivor of the occupation of Guam, joined me and Congressman Sablan in laying a memorial wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Sgambelluri is a dear friend of mine who happens to be in the audience today in the gallery. I was honored to host her here in our Nation's Capital for this solemn anniversary. The Chamorro people of Guam endured 32 months of occupation and wartime atrocities, with thousands of our island's finest murdered, brutalized, and forced into concentration camps. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Sgambelluri's father was taken by the Japanese, and she was later forced into a concentration camp for the remainder of the war. Today, I introduced the Occupation of Guam Remembrance Act in recognition of the atrocities endured by the Chamorro people of Guam during World War II. We must never, ever forget the sacrifices made by our island's manamko--the elders--during the war. My Occupation of Guam Remembrance Act will ensure that all those victims and survivors who submitted for war claims will have their names inscribed on the memorial wall at the Asan Bay Overlook in the War in the Pacific National Historic Park.…”