Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Guam during World War II.

Mr. Speaker, since the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898, the island of Guam, whose residents I have the privilege of representing here in Congress, has been a territory of the United States and a part of the American family. The Department of the Navy administered the U.S. Territory of Guam from the time the island was ceded to the United States under the terms of the Treaty of Paris until December 8, 1941, when, during World War II, Imperial Japanese military forces attacked, invaded and then occupied Guam. The attack on Guam occurred only hours following the December 7, 1941, Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, at the time also a territory of the United States; the different dates owing to the International Date Line.

The enemy occupation of Guam lasted approximately two-and-a-half years, from December 10, 1941 until July 21, 1944. The occupation was a time of tremendous hardship for the Chamorro people, the indigenous people of Guam. The people of Guam, who were U.S. nationals at the time, remained steadfastly loyal to the United States. Residents of the island, who numbered approximately 22,000, were subjected to forced labor, forced marches and deprivation at the hands of an enemy corroborating with the Axis forces. In the weeks prior to liberation, which came on July 21, 2004, the brutality of the occupying army increased with severe beatings and public executions. Groups of Chamorro men, women, and children were herded into caves on separate occasions and massacred. The entire population was forced to march to several internment camps in the southern part of the island.

On July 21, 1944, units of the 3rd Marine Division, 77th Army Infantry Division and 1st Marine Provisional Brigade, comprising a total force of roughly 55,000 service members, stormed the shores of Asan and Agat in southern Guam beginning the campaign to liberate the only American community to have been occupied by a foreign power since the War of 1812. Thirteen consecutive days of heavy naval and air bombardment preceded the landing of U.S. forces to weaken Japanese defense of the island.

Intense and fierce combat between the U.S. forces and the entrenched Japanese Army, which numbered 18,500 men, continued until August 10, 1944, when organized resistance ended and the U.S. forces seized control of the island. The Battle for Guam was marked by combat on difficult terrain against a well-prepared enemy. The Japanese defended the island from positions located in caves, tunnels, and from pillboxes situated on the beaches, cliffs, and hillsides overlooking the invasion beaches. Today, these beaches and many of these defensive positions are preserved within the War in the Pacific National Historical Park, established by Congress in 1978 (Public Law 95-348). This Park is the only site in the National Park System that honors the bravery and sacrifices of all individuals, service members and civilians, who experienced World War II in the Pacific Theater.

Over 1,100 Chamorros died as a result of the occupation of Guam, and every Chamorro endured one form or another of brutality, including personal injury, forced labor, forced march or internment during the occupation. Approximately 1,800 U.S. Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen were killed in action during the Battle for Guam. There were over 8,000 U.S. casualties. The Japanese suffered over 17,500 casualties, the large majority of which ended in death.

Today, Guam remains a territory of the United States. Congress extended U.S. citizenship to the people of Guam after World War II in 1950 (Public Law 81-630). Guam's current economy is largely tied to the Japanese economy given the proximity of the two and the importance of Japanese tourism to the island. The one million Japanese tourists the people of Guam welcome each year is a testament to the peace and friendship that has emerged between the United States and Japan since the end of World War II. The people of Guam remain an important part of this international friendship.

H. Res. 737 recognizes the Liberation of Guam on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary. In doing so, the resolution calls attention to the unique experience endured by the people of Guam and the extraordinary heroism

displayed by the U.S. service members who took part in the battle to recapture Guam. The resolution further encourages the American people to commemorate the Liberation of Guam and to observe the anniversary of the battles of the Pacific Theater during World War II. Lastly, the resolution requests the Secretary of the Interior to establish commemorative programs honoring the liberators and the people of Guam at the War in the Pacific National Historical Park. These commemorations, which precede the commemorations next year of the 60th Anniversary of the end of the War in the Pacific, give context to the extensive and difficult Pacific campaign.

I believe this Congressional recognition of the Liberation of Guam will enhance public understanding of and appreciation for the occupation experience of the people of Guam and the heroism of the liberators who took part in the battle to recapture Guam. I want to draw attention to the commendable efforts of the National Park Service, and, specifically, the efforts led by the personnel at the War in the Pacific National Historical Park, that have been made to date in the development of programs to commemorate the Liberation of Guam. These efforts notably include the recent enhancement of the Park's official Web site that now provides Internet access to many historical publications and approximately 700 historical photographs. These efforts are important in the absence of a restored museum and visitor contact facility following Supertyphoon Pongsona, which damaged Park property in December 2002. I encourage the continuation and expansion of such efforts consistent with the Park's mission. I also encourage a concerted effort to seek input from residents of Guam and veterans of World War II in the development of these and future commemorative programs.

Today, the Liberation of Guam is one of the most important commemorations held annually on the island. Liberation Day on Guam is a time of remembrance and celebration. The people of Guam commemorate the sacrifices of those who endured the occupation and those who gave their lives to liberate the island, and we celebrate the triumph of our people over adversity and oppression. As we move forward from July 21, 2004 to the 61st Anniversary on July 21, 2005, it is my hope we all reflect on our freedom and remember the sacrifices of those that came before us. I know this House has long been reminded of the Guam story. My predecessors, Mr. Won Pat, Mr. Blaz, and Mr. Underwood, would often take to the floor to speak to this body about the significance of Guam's role in World War II, the greatest conflict of the last century. Through their efforts the story of Guam's occupation and liberation has found its place in the national history of World War II. I, like they, seek to protect this history, to educate our country about our experience, and to bring appropriate and due recognition for our people and our veterans.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.

Madam Speaker, I too would like to echo the sentiments expressed earlier by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake).

One wonders what does a landlocked State like Arizona have in common with the Island of Guam? I say it quite simply, Madam Speaker: We are all Americans. And I certainly commend the gentleman's sentiments and his remarks concerning the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Guam as expressed by House Resolution 737 offered by the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo).

I also would like to extend my appreciation to the gentleman from California for his management of this legislation. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) as chairman and the ranking member of the Committee on Resources. And I would be remiss if I did not also express my appreciation to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), ranking member of the Committee on Armed Services for his compliments concerning this proposed legislation.

One of the things that I would like to share with my colleagues about this occasion, the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Guam, and it is one of the dark pages of our history, the fact that the U.S. nationals, Chamorros, who were militarily under the Imperial Japanese forces for some 2 years and 8 months, the question has always come to mind why these U.S. nationals who owed allegiance to the United States were never evacuated along with U.S. citizens before the oncoming forces of the Imperial Japanese naval and armed forces coming to this island? I need to remind my colleagues of the atrocities that were committed against these U.S. nationals, Chamorros. I recall rather distinctly our former colleague, the gentleman from Guam, Bob Underwood's relatives who were summarily executed by the Japanese in the occupation for 2 years and 8 months before, finally, U.S. forces came to liberate these loyal Americans.

I sincerely hope that perhaps we need to look at this with greater depth and appreciation of what the sacrifices that these U.S. nationals, who owed permanent allegiance to the United States, had suffered and why we never were able to evacuate them as we should have along with all the U.S. citizens who were on that island.

Again I want to thank the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) for proposing this resolution and thank the members of the Committee on Resources and the gentleman from California for his support of this legislation.

I urge my colleagues to agree to House Resolution 737.

Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from Arizona for yielding me the time to speak briefly on this resolution which I introduced on July 21 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the landing of U.S. forces on the beaches of Asan and Agat in southern Guam to liberate the only American community to have been occupied by a foreign power since the War of 1812.

As many of my colleagues realize, Guam was attacked by the Imperial Japanese forces only hours after Pearl Harbor was bombed. The people of Guam endured a 32-month occupation at the hands of the enemy. U.S. forces returned in 1944 to liberate the people of Guam, who remained extraordinarily loyal to the United States of America during the occupation.

The liberation of Guam is a defining moment in our history and in Guam's relationship with the United States. The valor of the U.S. forces who participated in the liberation of Guam is of special significance. The courage of our people of Guam who experienced the war is profoundly noteworthy. Theirs is a story which deserves to be told to all Americans. It is a story of great sacrifice and dignity.

As commemorations of the 60th anniversary of the end of the war in Pacific nears, I am pleased we were able to take the time today to bring recognition to Guam and Peleliu. I thank the gentleman from California (Chairman Pombo) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), ranking member, for their support. I also extend thanks to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), cochairmen of this resolution, for bringing recognition to these events. I thank the many other cosponsors and urge unanimous agreement.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 737) recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Guam during World War II.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

The gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) has introduced legislation that is poignant to the people of her territory and thousands of United States veterans. The United States' presence on this island traces back to 1898. But one of the most significant days that the U.S. and Guam share in our unique history is that of December 7, 1941. While the Japanese were attacking Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, they were also preparing an attack and invasion of Guam just hours later.

I urge the adoption of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake).

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to commend the sponsor of this bill, the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo), for bringing forward this most important measure.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo).

(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.