highly expectant of a better government. The Commonwealth Status! We are so ably matured. We want to develope and direct our destines and childrens destines. This is our Quest and birthright Uncle Sam has treated a us as little children The little children are breaking out of their breeches. Uncle Sam has not been a wise and fair Father for the and the Vietnam, Wars! WARS of not our Set the from love-hate, Parent-child relationship w/ the U6. Set in free! It is our right! Give us Commonwealth for it would eradicate and pains all the past / present injusticies imposed on this Pacific Islanders- the Chamorro people. Mared Byside Glenn Maria G. Iglesias Rt.10 Mangilao=7343191 Box 7051 Tamuning, Guam 96911 Mr. DE LUGO. Now, ladies and gentlemen, we have our final witness and then we will take a break. This is Mr. Carl J.C. Aguon. Mr. AGUON. Mr. Chairman and members of the House Interior Committee on Insular and International Affairs. Hafa adai. I am here today to participate with my fellow people of Guam to plead our rights to self-determination before this august body of the U.S. Congress. We, the American people from Guam have passed the Commonwealth Act expressing our desires and firm belief that we are ready, willing and able to self-govern, just like our brother and sisters in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas. Your support of our commonwealth initiative recognizes America's guidance and assistance for almost a century to bring Guam to economic, social, and political adulthood competent and eager to assume her place in the world society. I earnestly appeal to all of you to act favorably and speedily in the passage of Guam's Commonwealth Act. My name is Carl J.C. Aguon. I was born after World War II in the village of Barrigada, Guan. My parents, Juan Upingco Aguon (deceased) and Maria Castro Aguon are both indigenous to Guam. I have eight other brothers and sisters, most of which are residing on Guam and others in the continental United States. I reside with my wife and four children on Guam. My mother and father have always spoken proudly and joyously of the American occupation prior to World War II and after the war, as American citizens. They instilled in us a deep and abiding sense of American heritage and values. America is a great and beautiful nation, I remember them repeating, because her heart is pure, she is a democracy and protects and defends freedom, liberty, social and economic equality and justice worldwide. My father fought alongside U.S. forces in the mop-up operation as a combat patrol sergeant leading a troop of about 16 Guamanians seeking Japanese stragglers immediately after the invasion. For his gallantry in combat for his island and freedom, he was awarded the Silver Star by the United States Armed Forces. My mother, who was a school teacher for several years prior to the war, gave up her profession so she could provide a motherly home for her then three children. She strongly believes that rearing her sons and daughters is a more important and rewarding than a professional career. The mother in a home, she often tells us, provides the foundation upon which children develop strong moral, ethical, and social values that will make them become good members of our society. This task was not easy, especially during the Japanese occupation and several years after the war. It took tremendous courage and commitment, and above all, love. Yes, my mother loves us so very much that her love continues to nourish us not only in our respective endeavors, but as parents as well. Guam is like a child of the United States of America. Like a father, she taught us to be self-reliant and responsible. She defended us against invaders and freed us from their tyranny. Like a mother, she treated us with love and affection. She milked us with nutriments that made our bodies healthy and strong. She taught us moral values and ethical conduct that made us good citizens of the world. And like children who go through stages of growth and development, with its joys and sorrows, peaks and valleys, reach adulthood prepared to face the world independently. Guam has grown and matured and has achieved the economic, social and political threshold that she is now ready to leave the American family and assert her self-determination. Do not fear for our genre for America has bestowed in her genes the imprint of democracy, in her heart the love of freedom and liberty, and in her body the permanent hunger for peace and justice. Give to your child what is her inalienable right of self-determination and the pursuit of happiness. Listen to your sons and daughters as we present our petition. Please do not treat us like little children though we have your economic, social and political blood flowing within our veins. But give us your encouragement and blessing that we may become, just as American has, since it cut the umbilical cord to the Mother Country, and declared her independence, equal peoples of the earth. Si Yuus Maase. Thank you very much and God bless all of us. Mr. DE LUGO. Thank you very much. [Prepared statement of Mr. Aguon follows:] December 11, 1989 House Interior Subcommittee Insular and International Affairs House of Representative Subject: Public Hearing Testimony on the Mr. Chairman and members the House Interior Subcommittee on Insular and International Affairs: I am here today to part ipate with my fellow people of Guam America's guidance and assistance for almost a century to bring Guam to economic, social, Ad political adulthood competent and eager to assume her place in the world society. I earnestly vorably and speedily in the passage appeal to all of you to act of Guam's Commonwealth Act. of the American occupation prior to World War II and after the war as American citizen. They instilled in us a deep and abiding sense of "American Heritage and Values." America is a great and beautiful nation, I remember them repeating, because her heart is pure, she is a democracy and protect and defend freedom, liberty, social and economic equality and justice world wide. My father fought along side U.S. forces in the mop up operation as a Combat Patrol Sergeant leading a troop of about sixteen (16) Guamanians seeking Japanese stragglers immediately after the invasion. His gallantry in combat for his island and freedom he was awarded the "Silver Star" by the United States Arm Forces. My mother who was a school teacher for several years prior to the war gave up her profession so she can provide a motherly home for her then three children. She strongly believes that rearing her sons and daughters is far more important and rewarding than a professional career. The mother in a home, she often tells us, provides the foundation upon which children develop strong moral, ethical, and social values that will make them become good members of our society. This task was not easy especially during the Japanese Occupation and several years after the war. It took tremendous courage and commitment, and above all, LOVE. Yes, my mother loves us so very much that her love continues to nourish us not only in our respective endeavors but as parents as well. a Guam is like a child of the United States of America. Like father she taught us to be self reliant and responsible. She |