Mrs. Mae Cruz Tenorio

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Mrs. Mae Cruz Tenorio

RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF MRS. MAE CRUZ TENORIO

______

HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

of guam

in the house of representatives

Wednesday, February 1, 2006

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I rise today to honor the life and public service of Mrs. Mae Cruz Tenorio. Mae managed my District Office in Guam with humor, courtesy and professionalism for 3 years, which marked a continuation of almost 8 years of service as the Special Assistant and Special Projects Director for my predecessor, Representative Robert Underwood. Mae possessed the qualities of commitment to good government, selfless service to her community, and integrity that are valued so highly by our congressional community.

Mae's commitment to her community, to the United States and to public service began in 1971, at the Tulare County Credit Bureau in Visalia, California, where she worked as a part-time secretary and credit reporter. Mae returned to Guam in June 1978, to work for the Office of the Governor. She remained in public service to Guam for 35 years.

Mae's work as a dedicated public servant and community leader has many highlights. Three themes throughout it are prominent: the advancement and empowerment of women; the strengthening of the family; and the improvement of our island. Her leadership on these issues spanned her work with the Government of Guam Office of the Comptroller, the Commission on Self-Determination, Office of the Governor of Guam, the Office of Congressman Robert Underwood, and in my office.

Her reputation for thoroughness and high quality staff work, earned as a result of her tenure on the Commission on Self-Determination beginning in 1984, is of particular note. She provided the staff support for the Commission's initial public hearings under then Governor Ricky Bordallo. Governor Joseph Ada's decision to retain Mae's services when he became the Commission's Chairman is a testament to her dedicated service and unique abilities. Mae served as the Commission's senior Professional Staff Member until 1992.

Equally notable was her work with the Office of the Governor promoting awareness of women and family issues on Guam from 1992 to 1995. Mae continued her work to promote women and family issues as a leader of important community organizations on Guam. She was a founding member of the Guam Single Parents Network, established in 1977. Additionally, Mae became the first female president of the Pacific Jaycees in 1987, ably representing the Jaycees and Guam throughout the Pacific region and the world promoting community service and volunteerism.

Mae's commitment to improving Guam and promoting the issues important to our island and its people continued when she joined the Office of Congressman Robert Underwood in 1995. As a respected and active member of that office she helped attract funding for The War in the Pacific National Historical Park Asan Bay Overlook Memorial Wall Project, while compiling the list of names for the memorial at the park, educating on and off-island Chamorro groups about the project, and helping to plan the official dedication of the wall. Mae's other contributions included providing timely and responsive constituent services and providing staff support to Congressman Underwood's War Restitution, Philippine Visa Waiver, and Economic Task Forces. Mae also organized Guam's Centennial Exhibit in Washington, DC, a pictorial review of Guam's history aimed to educate visitors to our Nation's Capital about our island and the issues that are important to us.

Mae will be remembered not only for the excellent work she did on behalf of her beloved island and the United States of America, but for her grace, humanity, and humility. Her good humor, mentorship, and friendship were appreciated by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Her efforts touched the lives of countless members of our island's community and Guam's friends in the United States and around the world. The influence of her work will remain strong for years to come.

But Mae was not a woman that can be defined solely by her work; she was so much more to so many.

Mae, a caring mother to Christina, Nick and Andrew, a loving wife to Joseph Tenorio, a trusted friend for many, a daughter of Guam, and a faithful servant to her island and her country, was called her home by her Heavenly Father on January 10, 2006. The call home relieved her from her suffering. But it left a definite void in my life and in the lives of those who knew and loved her. Mae's full and rewarding life and our memories of her gentle demeanor will serve as inspiration for us all for years to come. Mae was a kind soul. She will be dearly missed.