Michael F. Q. San Nicolas

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Admiral Benjamin Nicholson for his outstanding leadership as Commander of Joint Region Marianas. In June of 2021, Admiral Nicholson was sworn in as Commander of Joint Region Marianas tasked with fortifying American freedom and democracy in his work to achieve Indo-Pacific Command objectives while strengthening Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Republic of Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia. With unwavering focus on the mission of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Nicholson goes above and beyond the call of duty with his attention to the communities he serves, actively engaging local leadership and stakeholders to ensure the welfare of the general public.

Admiral Nicholson's commitment to our Armed Services began in the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering in 1993. He continued to build his foundation earning his master's degree in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a master's degree in National Security from the Naval War College. His background spans numerous command positions and numerous deployments around the world during his seagoing career.

Admiral Nicholson has further served in combat tours in Helmand, Afghanistan, and

the Provincial Reconstruction Team and Forward Operating Base in Farah, Afghanistan. He also served in numerous ashore billets including Executive Assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Assistant Deputy Director Middle East Directorate in the Joint Staff; Special Operations Support Team to the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and head of the professional development section in the Chief of Naval Operations staff. His military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (three awards), Combat Action Ribbon, and various campaign and unit awards. He is also a 2015 recipient of the FBI's Director's Award.

As a first on Guam, Admiral Nicholson led unclassified briefings to multiple local leadership stakeholders on threats facing the island and region, engaging local Mayors, Senators, and Administration officials with unparalleled transparency that has served to build awareness of, confidence in, and partnership with the objectives of the Department of Defense.

The need to defend the territory of Guam from potential military threats is not limited to military establishments under Admiral Nicholson's leadership. Recent efforts to secure missile defense systems for the territory are taking a 360-degree focus to protect the entirety of the island, civilian and military alike, reassuring front- line Americans that they are protected, and reinforcing our safety and suitability to our critical visitor industry.

The food security and supply chain resilience for the region is strengthened in his work with our office to explore the feasibility of leasing Department of Defense lands for cattle grazing operations, further serving to advance local economic growth and diversification in a community that currently relies on over 90 percent of imported products.

With the island in the midst of a housing crisis due to labor shortages, material costs, and the tyranny of distance relative to American job and resource markets, Admiral Nicholson takes a mindful and creative approach in encouraging greater housing inventory to mitigate the civilian housing market impact of substantial military personnel relocation, and the subsequent growth of military housing needs.

Admiral Nicholson regularly and openly engages to address Veteran, Gold Star Family, and military dependent needs for access to amenities located within military facilities, deftly navigating the complexities of a community seeking greater access to military support in balance with the needs of mission viability.

Poignantly, Admiral Nicholson continues to be an avid partner in addressing critical healthcare needs throughout the island and region, providing guidance and solutions as the territory navigates the largest investment in its history to establish a modern healthcare facility to meet modern day healthcare needs throughout Micronesia and beyond.

The service to the country in the work of Admiral Nicholson is nothing short of exemplary, not only in his ability to effectively lead and manage the military front lines of America in the Indo-Pacific, but to do so in a manner that reflects unprecedented mindfulness of the holistic value in building, maintaining, and reinforcing community confidence and support critical to mission success

Madam Speaker, the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy are well served and represented by the command talent of Admiral Benjamin Nicholson who is a builder of allies, communities, and constituencies. I extend my gratitude to the Admiral for his invaluable service to our Nation, and I commend him for his commitment to community engagement, civilian well-being, and his mission as Commander of Joint Region Marianas.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Admiral Benjamin Nicholson for his outstanding leadership as Commander of Joint Region Marianas. In June of 2021, Admiral Nicholson was sworn in as Commander of Joint Region Marianas tasked with fortifying American freedom and democracy in his work to achieve Indo-Pacific Command objectives while strengthening Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Republic of Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia. With unwavering focus

on the mission of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Nicholson goes above and beyond the call of duty with his attention to the communities he serves, actively engaging local leadership and stakeholders to ensure the welfare of the general public.

Admiral Nicholson's commitment to our Armed Services military began in the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering in 1993. He continued to build his foundation earning his master's degree in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a master's degree in National Security from the Naval War College. His background spans numerous command positions and numerous deployments around the world during his seagoing career.

Admiral Nicholson has further served in combat tours in Helmand, Afghanistan, and the Provincial Reconstruction Team and Forward Operating Base in Farah, Afghanistan. He also served in numerous ashore joint and staff billets including executive assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Assistant Deputy Director Middle East Directorate in the Joint Staff; Special Operations Support Team to the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and head of the professional development section in the Chief of Naval Operations staff His military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (three awards), Combat Action Ribbon, and various campaign and unit awards. He is also a 2015 recipient of the FBI's Director's Award.

As a first on Guam, Admiral Nicholson led unclassified briefings to multiple local leadership stakeholders on threats facing the island and region, engaging local Mayors, Senators, and Administration officials with unparalleled transparency that has served to build awareness of, confidence in, and partnership with the objectives of the Department of Defense.

The need to defend the territory of Guam from potential military threats is not limited to military establishments under Admiral Nicholson's leadership. Recent efforts to secure missile defense systems for the territory are taking a 360-degree focus to protect the entirety of the island, civilian and military alike, reassuring front- line Americans that they are protected, and reinforcing our safety and suitability to our critical visitor industry.

The food security and supply chain resilience for the region is strengthened in his work with our office to explore the feasibility of leasing Department of Defense lands for cattle grazing operations, further serving to advance local economic growth and diversification in a community that currently relies on over 90 percent of imported products.

With the island in the midst of a housing crisis due to labor shortages, material costs, and the tyranny of distance relative to American job and resource markets, Admiral Nicholson takes a mindful and creative approach in encouraging greater housing inventory to mitigate the civilian housing market impact of substantial military personnel relocation, and the subsequent growth of military housing needs.

Admiral Nicholson regularly and openly engages to address Veteran, Gold Star Family, and military dependent needs for access to amenities located within military facilities, deftly navigating the complexities of a community seeking greater access to military support in balance with the needs of mission viability.

Poignantly, Admiral Nicholson continues to be an avid partner in addressing critical healthcare needs throughout the island and region, providing guidance and solutions as the territory navigates the largest investment in its history to establish a modem healthcare facility to meet modern day healthcare needs throughout Micronesia and beyond.

The service to the country in the work of Admiral Nicholson is nothing short of exemplary, not only in his ability to effectively lead and manage the military front lines of America in the Indo-Pacific, but to do so in a manner that reflects unprecedented mindfulness of the holistic value in building, maintaining, and reinforcing community confidence and support critical to mission success.

Madam Speaker, the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy are well served and represented by the command talent of Admiral Benjamin Nicholson who is a builder of allies, communities, and constituencies. I extend my gratitude to the Admiral for his invaluable service to our Nation and I commend him for his commitment to community engagement, civilian well-being, and his mission as Commander of Joint Region Marianas.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exemplary advocate, leader, and public servant, Mrs. Mindy Fothergill Aguon, and congratulate her for over twenty years of service to the People of Guam as a media professional. I would like to further commend her for her distinguished work ethic, commitment to community, and tireless passion to help others through storytelling.

After graduating as valedictorian from St. Paul Christian School in 1998, Mindy initiated the start of a distinguished career in journalism. While pursuing her bachelor's degree full-time at the University of Guam, she began an internship with KUAM News and later accepted an official position with the company in

February 2000. Across 14 years of service with KUAM, she earned her way through the ranks from News Reporter to Senior Investigative News Reporter, Anchor, Television News Anchor, and, finally, as Assistant News Director. In the years that followed, Mindy went on to expand her experience and build on her expertise through various roles to include Marketing and Communications Manager for Dusit Thani Guam Resort, CNN International Correspondent and Stringer, and Chief Executive Officer and Editor-in-Chief of the Guam Daily Post. Moreover, in 2015, Mindy established her very own Media and Public Relations consulting firm, Aguon Consulting.

With unique talent, demonstrated drive, and unrelenting dedication, Mindy cultivated a career steeped in excellence. She earned numerous accolades including two Micronesia Society of Professional Journalists awards for Best Spot News and Best Online Reporting, two of the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Best Documentary awards for her productions entitled, ``Personal Journey: Finding My Roots'' and ``Survivors: In Their Own Words,'' and recognitions as both a four-time KUAM Employee of the Year and the 2014 Mane'lu Mentor of the Year. Mindy further received the highest orders of local recognition from the Government of Guam: A Legislative Resolution from I Mina'trentai Dos na Liheslaturan Guahan and the Ancient Order of the Chamori from I Maga'lahen Guahan. In addition to her professional career, Mindy built strong ties with and made meaningful contributions to distinct community organizations. She served as an active member of the KUAM Care Force, Society of Professional Journalists, and Ohala Adoptions Advisory Board and took on vital leadership roles as a Mane'lu Mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guam and Board of Director for the Guam Chamber of Commerce. These civic contributions combined with her work as a member of our local media encapsulate the public service persona that is Mindy Fothergill Aguon.

Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of the People of Guam, offering my greatest appreciation to Mindy Fothergill Aguon for over two decades of service to our island, region, and nation as an outstanding leader and journalist. Mindy navigated an award-winning journalism career in Guam and illustrated the rich power of true storytelling. It does not simply relay issues to the minds of many--it touches their hearts. Her commitment to advocating for the issues of the people, elevating voices and stories of those often overlooked, and remaining ever persistent in the quest for truth continues to inspire many throughout our island including myself.