The Official Website of Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo

Bordallo, Tenorio Participate in Wreath Laying Ceremony at Tomb of Unknowns, Host Reception

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—July 12,, 2007–Washington, D.C–

Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo and the Honorable Pedro A. Tenorio, Resident Representative of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), participated in a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery on July 10, 2007, to commemorate the Liberation of Guam and the Battle for the Northern Marianas.

The ceremony was attended by the Honorable Pete Geren, Secretary of the Army, who laid the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns with Congresswoman Bordallo and Resident Representative Tenorio. The ceremony honored the Chamorros on Guam who endured enemy occupation, and the Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and Airmen who bravely fought on Guam and in the Northern Marianas during the World War II.

“It has become our tradition in Washington, D.C. to commemorate Guam’s Liberation Day by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in honor of the Chamorros who suffered or died during the occupation for remaining loyal to the United States,” Congresswoman Bordallo said. “We also honor the thousands of brave men and women of the Armed Forces who paid the ultimate price in liberating Guam.”

Guam High School graduate Cadet Daniel McDaniel, U.S. Military Academy at West Point Class of 2008, and Lance Corporal Alvin Tagabuel, U.S. Marine Corps carried the Guam and CNMI flags, respectively.

A reception hosted by Congresswoman Bordallo and the Guam Society of America was held on Capitol Hill yesterday in commemoration of the 63^rd Anniversary of the Liberation of Guam and the Battle for the Northern Marianas. Over 30 Members of Congress, including the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Congressman Steny Hoyer of Maryland, and the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Ike Skelton of Missouri, joined several hundred others in attendance at the reception. Several high-ranking military officers were also on hand for the occasion that included musical selections from the President’s Own Marine Band, cultural performances by Inetnon Gef Pago, and the showing of actual wartime footage during a video presentation that was choreographed to the National Anthem, Fanoghe Chamorro, and the Marianas Anthem. In attendance from the Administration were Admiral Patrick W. Dunne, USN (Ret.), Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Policy and Planning, and formerly Commander, Naval Forces Marianas (2001-2003), and Mr. David B. Cohen, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior.

Attending the Wreath Laying Ceremony and the Reception from Guam were: The Honorable Ben Garrido Blaz, USMC Ret., Guam’s representative to Congress from 1985-1993; Brigadier General Douglas H. Owens, USAF, Commander, 36^th Wing, Andersen AFB; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen C. Ruder, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Guam Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Gerald S.A. Perez, General Manager, Guam Visitors Bureau, and Chairman of the Armed Forces Committee, Guam Chamber of Commerce; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Adkins, Board of Directors, Guam Chamber of Commerce; Ms. Margaret Imaizumi, Public Information Officer, Guam Visitors Bureau; and Ms. Tiffany DeGracia, Miss Guam Tourism 2007.

Photo Caption: (L-R): Congresswoman Bordallo; the Honorable Pete Geren, Secretary of the Army; the Honorable Pedro A. Tenorio, Resident Representative of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI); and Major General Galen Jackman, U.S. Army, Chief, Office of Legislative Liaison; commemorate the Liberation of Guam and the Battle for the Northern Marianas during a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, July 10, 2007.

Photo Caption: Capitol Hill Reception for the National Commemoration of the 63^rd Anniversary of the Liberation of Guam and the Battle for the Northern Marianas, Historic Caucus Room, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. Wednesday, July 11, 2007.

Video of the Wreath Laying Ceremony is available here.

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Contact: Joseph E. Duenas in Washington, D.C. at 202-225-1188 or Cathy Gault at 671-477-4272/4

joseph.duenas@mail.house.gov or cathy.gault@mail.house.gov

www.house.gov/bordallo

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