Madeleine Bordallo: “I rise in full support of House Resolution 78, which would grant a measure of symbolic participation for the Delegates…”

“I rise in full support of House Resolution 78, which would grant a measure of symbolic participation for the Delegates in the Committee of the Whole. Our chairman referred to General Blaz earlier. He was a distinguished Delegate representing Guam, and he was a member of the Republican Party. But the participation is neither Democrat nor Republican here; it is American. Let me say a few words about my district, the island of Guam. Some would point out that Guam's population is small, with only about 160,000 residents. I would point out that Guam has lost seven soldiers in the Iraq war, far more per capita than most communities other than maybe American Samoa. If our Nation had the same percentage of deaths in the Iraq war as Guam, the death toll would be more than three times the current toll. In other words, when it comes to joining the military and dying for our country, Americans from our island have more than contributed our share. Some would say that Guam does not deserve this new level of participation. I would respond that you have not met the people of Guam who survived a brutal enemy occupation during World War II. You have not heard their stories of loyalty to our Nation. You have not learned of their confinement in concentration camps, of their being beaten and beheaded. You have not seen and felt their patriotism. Our ability to participate in the Committee of the Whole would make these sacrifices all the more meaningful for us as Americans.”