Nick Rahall: “I rise this today in strong support of the passage of H.R. 1595--the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act. I also…”

“I rise this today in strong support of the passage of H.R. 1595--the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act. I also commend the gentlelady from Guam for her leadership on this issue. This legislation has bipartisan support and is being considered today because of her determination to seek justice. We are here this afternoon, taking a significant step forward to close a very painful chapter in Guam's history. From the time that Guam had been granted a delegate to Congress in the 1970's, throughout the service of our former colleagues--Mr. Won Pat, Mr. Blaz, and Mr. Underwood--this House has been made aware and constantly reminded that Guam and her people suffered unimaginable atrocities during its occupation by Japan during World War II. For nearly three years, the idyllic paradise became a land of panic, horror, suffering, and death. The personal testimonies of survivors of Guam's occupation has a strong history with the Committee on Natural Resources. They are emotional, sad, and graphic. Many of those survivors who appeared before the Committee to re-tell and, in essence, re-live the pain of occupation have since passed on. There are very few of the estimated 22,000 Guamanians alive today who survived this era, and it is my hope that we can give them closure before none remain.”