Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to wish a happy 90th birthday to Brigid Lukas and acknowledge her life of patriotism.

Mrs. Lukas grew up in Great Brittan but came to the United States where she built a family and raised her four children. Her late husband Rimas also came to the United States as a young person, where he escaped communism and worked as an engineer for the Department of the Army. Together Brigid and Rimas are a testament to the American way of life.

As Brigid celebrates her 90th birthday this month and looks forward to commemorating 44 years since becoming a naturalized U.S. Citizen, I wish her continued health and prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine relations.

In 1946, the Nation of the Philippines gained its independence and officially opened diplomatic relations with the United States. Since then, the U.S.-Philippine Alliance has evolved to become one of our most critical Pacific partnerships.

The United States and the Philippines share deep historical and cultural ties. During the Second World War, Filipinos fought alongside American service members in a battle for freedom against the imperial Japanese military from the battlefields of Luzon to the shores of Leyte Gulf.

Our shared sacrifice in defense of the Philippines led to one of our Nation's longest standing defense treaties in Asia, The Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty, signed August 1951. The foundational agreement set up the cornerstone for the U.S.-Philippine Alliance, ensuring an attack on one is an attack on both.

Since 1951, our security cooperation has evolved and strengthened. In 2014, our two countries signed an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, increasing the U.S. military's rotational presence to tackle new challenges in the West Philippine Sea.

Our ties to the Philippines are more than just defensive, they are connected deeply by bonds of friendship and culture. More than 4 million people throughout the United States identify as Filipino. They serve in our armed forces, contribute to our healthcare system, and own and operate thousands of small businesses that support our economy.

As we launch this 80th anniversary year, let us reaffirm our commitments to our shared democratic values, a free and open Indo- Pacific, and renewed prosperity for the peoples of the United States and the Philippines.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Warrant Officer Five Bernard Aguon of the District of Columbia National Guard, a native of Guam, as he concludes a lifetime of extraordinary service to our Nation.

With more than 34 years of service across all three components of the United States Army, CW5 Aguon represents the very best of what it means to serve. Most recently, he served as the command chief warrant officer of the District of Columbia National Guard, where he was a trusted adviser to senior leaders and a steady voice in guiding complex decisions that affected the force.

Throughout his career, he served in an extraordinary range of roles, from engineer and personnel commands to senior advisory positions, bringing clarity, professionalism, and technical mastery wherever he was called.

Born and raised on Guam, CW5 Aguon's journey from our island in the Pacific to the highest levels of the National Guard is a source of great pride. He has strengthened our Army, supported countless soldiers, and brought honor to his family and his island.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful nation, I thank CW5 Aguon for his service, his sacrifice, and his enduring legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Warrant Officer Five Bernard Aguon of the District of Columbia National Guard, a proud son of Guam, for a lifetime of extraordinary service to our Nation.

With more than 34 years of collective service across all three components of the United States Army, CW5 Aguon represents the very best of what it means to serve. His career is defined not only by longevity, but by impact, by a steadfast commitment to solving problems, building systems, and ensuring that the men and women who serve our country are supported with professionalism and care.

Most recently, CW5 Aguon served as the sixth Command Chief Warrant Officer of the District of Columbia National Guard. In this role, he was the top Army Warrant Officer advisor to the Commanding General, the Adjutant General, and the Land Component Commander. He was relied upon as a trusted counselor to commanders at every level, called upon to bring clarity to complex challenges and to guide decisions that affect the force.

Before assuming this role, he served at the highest levels of the National Guard as the G1 Senior Personnel Advisor within the Human Resource Information Systems Division. There, his work helped shape the future of how the Army manages its people, a responsibility that reached far beyond any single unit or command.

Throughout his career, CW5 Aguon served in an extraordinary range of positions. From Engineer Platoon Sergeant to Warrant Officer Recruiter; from Unit Administrator to Army Band Commander; from Education Services Manager to Personnel Systems Advisor--his service reflects rare breadth and depth. He supported Engineer, Infantry, Personnel, and Recruiting commands, and in each role, he brought the same steady leadership and technical mastery.

Perhaps most notably, CW5 Aguon was inducted into the U.S. Army Adjutant General Corps Wall of Fame in 2023 as a Distinguished Member of the Corps. This honor recognized his pivotal role in developing, testing, deploying, and sustaining the Army's Integrated Personnel and Pay System. This platform now supports Soldiers across the entire force, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and efficiency in how the Army manages its people.

That contribution alone will shape the Army for generations. His decorations, including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Army Staff Identification Badge, reflect a career defined by excellence. But as with all great leaders, his true legacy is not found in ribbons or medals. It is found in the systems he built, the soldiers he guided, and the trust he earned.

Beyond the uniform, CW5 Aguon has continued to serve. He has been a leader within the Adjutant General Corps, a life member of multiple professional associations, and the President of the Guam Society of America, remaining deeply connected to the island he proudly calls home.

Born and raised on Guam, he now resides in Northern Virginia with his wife Jennifer and their four children: Rocco, Rio, Aurora, and Andre. His journey from our small island in the Pacific to the highest levels of the National Guard is a powerful reminder of the reach and resilience of those who come from Guam and choose to serve something greater than themselves.

CW5 Aguon's career stands as a testament to quiet leadership, technical excellence, and unwavering dedication.

He has strengthened our Army, supported countless soldiers, and brought honor to his family and his island.

On behalf of a grateful Nation, and with great pride, I thank him for his service, his sacrifice, and his enduring legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Mary Okada as she concludes a remarkable chapter of service as President of Guam Community College, after many years dedicated to education, workforce development, and the people of Guam.

Dr. Okada's leadership at Guam Community College has been historic. She became the first woman to lead the institution and went on to serve longer than any president before her. That continuity mattered. It provided stability, direction, and trust at a time when higher education was facing rapid change and increasing demands.

Long before becoming president, Dr. Okada served Guam Community College in key financial and administrative roles. She also brought experience from the Guam Department of Education.

Because of that background, she understood the institution not only from the classroom level, but from the operational side--how to manage resources, plan responsibly, and make decisions that would stand the test of time.

Under her leadership, Guam Community College strengthened its role as Guam's primary engine for workforce training and career education. Programs expanded to meet the real needs of the island, preparing students for skilled trades, healthcare, public service, and emerging technical fields. These were not abstract academic offerings; they were pathways to stable jobs and stronger families.

Dr. Okada placed a strong emphasis on financial responsibility and accountability. Through careful planning and disciplined management, Guam Community College maintained long-term fiscal stability and earned consistent confidence from auditors, policymakers, and the broader community. That kind of stewardship is not always visible, but it is essential to an institution's success.

She also understood that education cannot exist in isolation. During her tenure, Guam Community College strengthened partnerships with government agencies, private employers, and regional organizations to ensure that training programs aligned with workforce demand. As a result, students left GCC better prepared to step directly into the workforce and contribute to Guam's economy.

Dr. Okada served as a respected voice for Guam and the Pacific in national and regional education discussions. She represented the interests of island communities in conversations about access, opportunity, and workforce development, ensuring that Guam was not overlooked in broader policy discussions.

Her leadership extended beyond a single campus. She served on accreditation bodies, education councils, and advisory boards, helping shape policies and standards that affect students well beyond Guam. Through this work, she elevated career and technical education and reinforced its importance as a respected and viable pathway.

Those who worked with Dr. Okada describe her as thoughtful, steady, and deeply committed to students. She led with consistency and care, focused not on short-term recognition, but on building systems that would continue to serve students long after her tenure.

As she steps away from her role at Guam Community College, her impact is evident in the thousands of students whose lives were shaped by the education and training they received. Her legacy is reflected not only in programs and facilities, but in opportunity created and futures strengthened.

Mr. Speaker, Guam Community College plays a vital role in our island's success, and Dr. Okada's leadership helped ensure that a role was carried out with purpose, responsibility, and vision. I thank Dr. Okada, for her years of service and for the lasting contributions she has made to Guam and its people--past, present, and future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life and legacy of Carmen Artero Kasperbauer, whose life reflected a deep and enduring commitment to service and community.

Born in 1935, Carmen grew up during one of the most difficult periods in Guam's history, the Japanese occupation of World War II. As a child, she witnessed hardship, fear, and sacrifice that shaped her understanding of responsibility and resilience at an early age.

Like many families on Guam, hers faced extraordinary risk during the occupation. Their decision to help protect U.S. Navy radioman George Tweed was an act of quiet courage, one that reflected the loyalty of the CHamoru people during a time when such choices carried severe consequences.

These experiences were not abstract history for Carmen; they were formative moments that guided her life's work. She chose a path of service as a registered nurse, dedicating herself to the care of others and to strengthening her community through compassion. For her, service was not simply just a career. It reflected her belief that service begins with showing up for people when they are most vulnerable.

Her commitment to public service did not stop there. In 1979, she was elected to the Guam Legislature, where she served as a senator for two terms. At a time when women were still fighting for equal footing in political leadership, Carmen Kasperbauer brought both strength and humility to the legislative process. She was known not for grandstanding, but for her steadiness, her preparation, and her deep concern for the people she represented. As a senator, she believed that public service meant listening first and putting people ahead of politics.

She did her work carefully, asked thoughtful questions, and focused on what would truly help the people of Guam.

She carried into public office the same values she lived by every day--respect for others, responsibility to community, and a strong sense of duty. These values guided her decisions, whether she was serving in the Legislature, working as a nurse, or helping her neighbors. Those who knew her remember her as the person who always showed up, did the work, and never sought attention.

Beyond her formal roles, Carmen remained an active voice in Guam's community life. In later years, she shared her firsthand experiences of the war, ensuring that the sacrifices of Guam's people were not forgotten, minimized, or rewritten. Her testimony helped remind future generations that Guam's history is inseparable from America's, and that our island's people paid a very real price for freedom.

Carmen Kasperbauer passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 90. Her life spanned generations of change on Guam, from war and recovery to a steady life of service rooted in community. Through it all, she embodied resilience, service, and quiet patriotism.

Mr. Speaker, Guam is a small island, but its contributions to this Nation are immense. Her life is a powerful example of that truth. Guam has lost a matriarch, but her legacy of service lives on through her husband, Dr. Larry Kasperbauer, and her children. On behalf of a grateful island, a very big thanks to the Senator. She will be deeply missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Reina ``Rei'' Serineo of the United States Air Force, a proud daughter of Guam, as she concludes a distinguished career in service to our Nation.

For nearly two decades, Lt. Col. Serineo has embodied the very best of what it means to wear the uniform. She has served with distinction across continents and commands, in the air and on the ground, in moments of routine readiness and in times of real danger. Her career reflects not only operational excellence, but a deep commitment to leadership, mentorship, and the future of our Air Force.

Lt. Col. Serineo entered the Air Force in June of 2005 after graduating from the University of Portland and commissioning through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.

From the very beginning, she chose a path that demanded precision, judgment, and courage. As an Air Battle Manager, she became a master of one of the most complex and critical missions in modern warfare.

Over the course of her career, she logged more than 2,000 flight hours aboard the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System with more than 300 of those hours in combat and combat-support missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Counter-ISIS.

These were not abstract missions. They were real-world operations in contested airspace, where decisions made in seconds carried life-and- death consequences for service members on the ground and in the air.

Her assignments tell the story of a leader trusted at every level. Lt. Col. Serineo consistently stepped into roles of greater responsibility. She served as an instructor, a flight commander, a chief of standardization and evaluations, an assistant director of operations, and a director of staff. In each role, she set the standard, not only for mission execution, but for how leaders should treat their people.

Most recently, as the Common Mission Control Center Functional Area Manager within Air Combat Command, she directed policy, operations, and training for the Battle Control Center weapon system. In this role, she helped shape the future of how our Air Force fights, leading teams across major commands, building consensus and vision.

What makes Lt. Col. Serineo's career especially meaningful is not only what she accomplished, but how she accomplished it. She invested in young Airmen, modeled professionalism, and reminded those around her that Leadership is not about rank, but integrity and responsibility.

Her educational achievements mirror that same drive for excellence. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, completed Squadron Officer School, and obtained a Master of Public Administration. She is a graduate of Air Command and Staff College. At every stage, she prepared herself not only to serve, but to lead wisely.

Lt. Col. Serineo's decorations, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, and the Air and Space Commendation Medal are symbols of a career defined by impact. But medals alone cannot capture the lives she influenced, the missions she safeguarded, or the trust she earned.

As she transitions from active service, our Nation remains stronger because of her. The systems she helped shape, the Airmen she mentored, and the standards she set will endure long after this chapter closes.

I thank Lt. Col. Serineo for her service, her sacrifice, and her leadership. She answered the call in moments of uncertainty and danger. She carried responsibility with grace and she left behind a legacy of excellence that will guide those who follow. May the next chapter of her life be filled with the same purpose, fulfillment, and success that defined her time in uniform.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Erik Swanson upon the conclusion of his service as Superintendent of the Guam Department of Education.

Leading a public school system is never simple, and on Guam, that responsibility carries added complexity. Dr. Swanson stepped into the role of Superintendent during a period marked by significant challenges, including resource constraints, staffing concerns, and the lasting impacts faced by students and educators alike.

From the beginning of his tenure, Dr. Swanson understood that the work of public education is deeply personal. It affects not only classrooms, but families, communities, and the future of the island itself. He approached the role with a focus on responsibility, transparency, and support for those on the front lines of education.

During his time as Superintendent, Dr. Swanson worked to address long-standing issues within the Guam Department of Education while maintaining focus on student learning and school operations. He supported educators and staff who carry the daily responsibility of teaching and caring for Guam's children, often under difficult circumstances.

Serving as Superintendent of Education on Guam requires balancing many responsibilities at once. It means overseeing schools spread across the island, supporting thousands of students, and working closely with teachers, staff, and families, all while navigating limited resources and high expectations.

Dr. Swanson approached this role with an understanding of its demands and a respect for the people who carry out the work of education every day. He recognized that progress often comes through persistence, cooperation, and steady attention to the needs of students and schools.

He also understood the importance of collaboration. Dr. Swanson worked with parents, school leaders, and government partners to confront challenges facing the education system and to seek solutions that would benefit students across the island. His leadership reflected an understanding that progress in education requires cooperation, patience, and persistence.

Public education on Guam plays a critical role in shaping opportunity and strengthening our community. Leading that system requires not only professional experience, but resilience and care. Dr. Swanson carried that responsibility with seriousness and respect for the people he served.

Those who worked alongside him describe a leader who listened, remained engaged, and understood the weight of the decisions placed before him. While no tenure is without difficulty, Dr. Swanson's service reflected a commitment to doing the work and facing challenges directly.

Mr. Speaker, Guam's educators and students deserve leadership that recognizes both the importance and the difficulty of public education. Dr. Erik Swanson answered that call during a demanding time.

I thank him for his service to Guam's students, educators, and families, and I extend my best wishes in the next chapter ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Reina ``Rei'' Serineo of the United States Air Force, a proud daughter of Guam, as she concludes her distinguished career in service to our Nation.

For nearly two decades, Lieutenant Colonel Serineo embodied the very best of what it means to wear the uniform. As an air battle manager, she logged more than 2,000 flight hours, including hundreds in combat and combat support missions, where decisions made in seconds carried life and death consequences for those in harm's way.

Across assignments in the United States, Europe, and the Indo- Pacific, she earned the trust of commanders and airmen alike, leading with precision, integrity, and care for those she served. Most recently, she helped shape the future of our Air Force through her work in the air combat command, guiding policies, training, and modernization.

Mr. Speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Serineo's service brings great pride to Guam and to our entire Nation. I thank her for her leadership, her sacrifice, and her enduring legacy of excellence.

Honoring the Life of Senator Carmen Artero Kasperbauer

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life and legacy of the late Senator Carmen Artero Kasperbauer.

Born in 1935, Carmen grew up during the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II, an experience that shaped her deep sense of responsibility to her community and her island.

She lived a life defined by service, first as a registered nurse, caring for others when they were most vulnerable, and later as a senator in the Guam Legislature, where she served two terms with professionalism and integrity.

Her life spanned generations of change on Guam, from war and recovery to a steady life of service rooted in community.

Guam has lost a matriarch, but her legacy of service lives on through her husband, Dr. Larry Kasperbauer, and her children and grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful island, I say ``a big thank you''; ``un dangkolo na si Yu'os ma'ase'.'' She will be deeply missed.

Recognizing Dr. Mary Okada

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Mary Okada as she concludes her tenure as president of Guam Community College after many years of service to our island.

Since 2007, Dr. Okada has served as president of the Guam Community College, becoming the first woman to lead

the institution. Under her leadership, GCC strengthened its role as a pathway to workforce training, skilled trades, healthcare, and public service, helping students gain the skills they need to succeed and contribute to the broader community.

She led with care and responsibility, ensuring strong financial stewardship, and building programs that respond to the realities of Guam's workforce and economy. The impact of her work is reflected in the thousands of students whose lives were shaped by the education and training they received at GCC.

Guam is stronger because of her service and investment in our students. Mr. Speaker, I say: ``Thank you''; ``Si Yu'os Ma'ase''' to Dr. Okada for her leadership and for the opportunities she has created for generations to come.

Recognizing Dr. Erik Swanson

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Erik Swanson upon his conclusion of service as superintendent of the Guam Department of Education.

Dr. Swanson stepped into the role during a challenging period for public education on Guam. He brought a steady focus on students, accountability, and the responsibility that comes with leading an island-wide school system.

During his tenure, he worked to address longstanding issues facing Guam schools while supporting educators, staff, and families who show up every day for our students. His leadership reflected a clear understanding that education is not just policy, but people.

Public education on Guam carries unique challenges, and Dr. Swanson approached that responsibility with care and commitment. I thank Dr. Swanson for his service to Guam students and families, and I wish him well in the next chapter ahead.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the life and the service of Father Mike Crisostomo, a Catholic priest from Guam who devoted his life to caring for others and strengthening our island community.

For nearly three decades, Father Mike, affectionately known as Pale Mike, served the people of Guam, offering guidance, comfort, and support in moments of both joy and hardship. He was known for showing up when people needed him the most, whether in times of celebration, grief, or uncertainty.

Father Mike's service extended beyond the walls of the church. He worked with families, the vulnerable, and those facing difficult circumstances, always with compassion and humility.

Father Mike Crisostomo lived a life rooted in faith, service, and love for his community. Guam is in a better place because of his work, and his legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Congressman Doug LaMalfa, a dedicated public servant who spent his career standing up for rural America and the communities he called home.

A fourth-generation rice farmer from northern California, he brought a deep understanding of hard work, responsibility, and service into public life. Those values guided him as he served in the California State Assembly, the State senate, and later in the United States House of Representatives.

In Congress, he was a strong and respected voice for agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. His colleagues recognized that commitment when he was unanimously elected chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus.

I had the honor of working alongside him as a colleague and a friend on the Natural Resources Committee, where his connection to the land and the people he represented was always clear.

His work strengthened rural communities and left a lasting mark on policies that affect them.

My thoughts are with his loved ones and the people of northern California. May we honor his memory by continuing the work he cared so deeply about.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act and to also thank the chairman, the minority leader, and my House Armed Services Committee colleagues for crafting a bill with the people of Guam in mind.

The bill advances a package of legislation addressing the War Department's special relationship with Guam's economy, provisions allowing the Department to more aggressively hire Guam locals and work more effectively with island businesses included.

The bill also generates over $1 billion of economic activity for Guam and makes good on the Pentagon's responsibility to invest in the island's infrastructure.

In addition to pro-affordability policies, the NDAA addresses my constituents' environmental concerns and keeps Guam in position to lead the way for the Nation as the Golden Dome is built out.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Rural Health Day to honor the millions of Americans who rely on rural healthcare systems and to shine a light on the unique challenges faced by our rural and territory communities.

In places like Guam, distance is not measured in miles but in oceans. When a family needs specialty care, when a child requires emergency service, and when one of our manamko seeks follow-up treatment, the nearest option may be thousands of miles away.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities across our Nation, including Guam Memorial Hospital, bear tremendous responsibility with limited resources. It is the doctors, the nurses, and allied health professionals at Guam who meet the responsibility every day. They provide lifesaving care despite higher costs, workforce shortages, and outdated reimbursement formulas.

Financial sustainability for these institutions is not just about healthcare. It is about equality, economic stability, and national security. That is why I am working on policies to strengthen reimbursement, modernize Federal support programs, and expand workforce pipelines so every community, no matter how remote, can count on its providers and hospitals for quality care.

Mr. Speaker, today I honor and remember the extraordinary life and legacy of Lieutenant Colonel David Willits Swanson, a retired officer of the United States Army, a decorated patriot, and a beloved mentor and leader.

Lieutenant Colonel Swanson's passing is deeply mourned by his family, his fellow soldiers, and the many communities he served so selflessly throughout his life. His life was defined by duty, courage, and an unshakable commitment to service.

From the beginning, Lieutenant Colonel Swanson lived to serve others. A graduate of the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point, he pursued one of the most demanding and honorable callings in our Nation: military service. He underwent rigorous training, completing nearly every combat course available like airborne, infantry, ranger, and more.

During his time in uniform, he answered his country's call not once, but three times--serving multiple tours in both Vietnam and Korea. His bravery and valor on the battlefield earned him some of our Nation's highest military honors: the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, seven Air Medals, and three Meritorious Service Medals. These are more than just decorations--they are symbols of sacrifice, of heroism, and of lives protected through his service.

But Lieutenant Colonel Swanson's commitment to our country did not end on the battlefield. After his combat service, he turned his focus to shaping the next generation of military leaders. He taught at the Command and General Staff College in Kansas, then as Professor of Military Science at the University of Hawaii.

Most notably, he pioneered the first ROTC program at the University of Guam, where his very first freshman class went on to win the Warrior of the Pacific Award. Over the course of his academic service, he commissioned 640 students as Second Lieutenants--young men and women who now continue his legacy in service to our Nation.

We do more than mourn his passing. We celebrate his life that embodied the highest ideals of duty, honor, and country. From every soldier he led, every student he taught, and every life he touched, we salute him.

May we honor his memory by continuing to uphold the values he exemplified, and may his legacy of service forever inspire us all.

Mr. Speaker, the year 2025 marks a major milestone in Guam's history--

the 50th anniversary of Calvo Enterprises, Inc., a family-owned company that has become a cornerstone of our island's economy and community life.

The story of Calvo Enterprises begins nearly a century ago, in 1938, when Eduardo ``Jake'' Calvo founded Guam's first locally owned insurance agency. At the time, he could not have imagined that his vision would grow into a multi-generational enterprise shaping so many aspects of life on our island. Yet from those modest beginnings, the Calvo family built a foundation of entrepreneurship and service that continues to this day.

Over the decades, the family's ventures expanded beyond insurance into wholesale distribution, retail, broadcasting, healthcare, real estate, and tourism. By the 1970's, under the leadership of Jake's sons Paul, Edward, and Jerry, these businesses were formally brought together under one structure--Calvo Enterprises, Inc. (CEI, established in 1975.

Since then, CEI has become one of Guam's most dynamic business groups. It secured the Pepsi bottling franchise, making Mid-Pacific Distributors a household name. It acquired KUAM, Guam's oldest television and radio station, ensuring that local voices would continue to have a strong platform. It transformed Pay-Less Supermarkets into the island's leading grocery chain. And it launched Calvo's SelectCare, which today provides health coverage for thousands of individuals and families.

But what makes this 50-year milestone so significant is not just the breadth of the businesses, it is the enduring impact on Guam's people. Through its companies, CEI has created jobs, modernized industries, and introduced new consumer choices. Through its civic partnerships, it has helped develop cultural and tourism landmarks such as Two Lovers Point. And through its philanthropy, it has stood beside families in times of hardship, most notably through the Edward M. Calvo Cancer Foundation, which continues to support patients and their loved ones.

The Calvo family's contributions have also extended into public service. Governor Paul M. Calvo and Governor Eddie Baza Calvo each brought their business experience to government, guiding Guam through periods of challenge and transition. Their leadership reflected the same qualities that defined their family business: fiscal discipline, innovation, and a belief that Guam's future is worth investing in.

Today, CEI is led by the third generation--Leonard P. Calvo, Jake Calvo, and Eddie Baza Calvo--who continue to steer the company with the same values their grandfather instilled: hard work, integrity, and care for community. Their recent acquisitions and ventures, from Tokio Marine Pacific Insurance to the opening of Guam's first Daiso store, demonstrate a forward-looking vision while staying rooted in Guam's needs.

Anniversaries are not just markers of time; they are reminders of legacy. For fifty years, Calvo Enterprises has helped build the economy of Guam, but more importantly, it has helped build trust, resilience, and opportunity for the people of Guam. Few companies can claim such a wide-ranging and positive impact.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Calvo family and to every employee, past and present, who has contributed to this extraordinary journey.