April 2, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E559 Members of the Congressional Hispanic Cau- TRIBUTE TO DR. AND MRS. country in welcoming His Excellency, Fidel cus (CHC). During their meeting with the CHARLES AND REBECCA GUNNOE Valdez Ramos, the President of the Republic CHC, we had the opportunity to discuss the of the Philippines, to the United States as he political and economic integration process of HON. KEN CALVERT visits our nation's capital next week. MERCOSUR and the effects of this free-trade OF CALIFORNIA As with the island of Guam, the rest of the pact on the United States economy. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES United States have for over a century shared historic, cultural, political and economic ties Data from the Department of Commerce on Wednesday, April 1, 1998 the current balance of trade between with the Republic of the Philippines. President MERCOSUR and the United States shows Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, throughout this Ramos is the embodiment of these ties. He that the United States not only enjoys a sur- country of ours there are a few individuals comes from very respected and prominent plus in trade with MERCOSUR, but also re- who, because they contribute so generously of families in the Philippines. His Father Narciso veals that exports to MERCOSUR countries their time and talents to help others, are rec- Ramos was a lawyer, crusading journalist, and are significantly larger than those to China and ognized as pillars of their community. Charles five-term member of the Philippine House of Russia together, $23.3 billion versus $16 bil- and Rebecca Gunnoe are two individuals who Representatives, who was later appointed lion. This is an important fact we should re- have combined their forces over the past 25 Secretary of Foreign Affairs. His mother, An- member as we continue to develop relations years, both in medical practice and in the gela Valdez, was a suffragette and public with these countries. community. I would like to take this oppor- school teacher. tunity to honor and praise them for their com- Destined towards greatness, President Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my ap- mitment to family, community, and the well- Ramos exhibited dedication to excellence preciation to the Joint MERCOSUR Parliamen- being of the Nation as a whole. even in his formative years. He graduated val- tary Delegation for visiting Washington and ex- Early in his career, Dr. Gunnoe began the edictorian at the Lingayen Central School prior tend my congratulations to the MERCOSUR practice of advocating quality care for patients to being accepted to the University of the Phil- countries for their achievements. and firmly believes that it is possible for one ippines High School in Manila. In 1946, he was chosen to receive a Philippine govern- f physician to make a difference. He moved to Corona in 1954 and quickly became involved ment scholarship to attend the prestigious WOMEN’s HISTORY COLLECTION in many community activities. He began by United States Military Academy at West Point, serving as co-chairman on a committee of Co- New York. As one of the top graduates of rona citizens to recommend specialized needs West Point's Class of 1950, President Ramos HON. KAREN McCARTHY and priorities for the future of Corona. He was was invited to join the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Upon graduation in 1950, President OF MISSOURI also the Charter President of the Corona Jun- ior Chamber of Commerce and helped de- Ramos' desire to help rebuild his country from IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES velop and dedicate the first Boys Club of Co- the ruins of World War II led him to pursue a Wednesday, April 1, 1998 rona. In addition to establishing a family life in master's degree in civil engineering at the Uni- Corona, Dr. Gunnoe founded the Circle City versity of Illinois. He served alongside Amer- Ms. MCCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I Hospital which is now part of the Corona Re- ican servicemen as a Second Lieutenant in rise today to recognize and salute the estab- gional Medical Center. He also built the Co- the Philippine Expeditionary Force during the lishment of a Women's History Collection at rona Clinic where he continues to practice Korean War and, later, as Chief of Staff of the the Jackson County Historical Society Ar- today. Philippine Civil Action Group in Vietnam. chives and Research Library. Two remarkable Along with working on a daily basis with her The culmination of his illustrious military ca- women, Barbara Potts, former Mayor of Inde- husband, Mrs. Gunnoe too has demonstrated reer came when he was appointed Chief of pendence, and Jane Flynn, former adminis- a commitment to the community in the devel- the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 1986. trator of the Landmarks Commission, have re- opment and funding of the Corona chapter of True to his commitment to duty, honor, and searched and preserved the lives of leading the Trauma Intervention Program, or TIP. This country, he joined forces with former defense Kansas City women and their history. volunteer based organization assists families Minister Juan Ponce Enrile during the 1986 Last weekend this exhibit was launched with of victims in tragic situation. EDSA ``People Power'' Revolution, a coup a celebration at the University of Missouri± Together they have provided funds and as- d'etat designed to restore democracy to the Kansas City entitled ``Give Children the Gift of sistance in the development of a Christian Philippine Republic. He was later appointed Women's History.'' As we salute Women's school library, supported community resources Secretary of National Defense under President History Month we must remember the impor- such as the YMCA, Lion's Club, and other Corazon C. Aquino and, in 1992, the people of tance of passing on our heritage to new gen- service organizations such as the Cancer So- the Philippines gave him the mandate to be erations. ciety, Foundation of Circle City Hospital and twelfth in a succession of Philippine presidents During the 20th Century a great deal of sig- Corona Regional Medical Center, United Way, since the proclamation of the First Philippine nificant change has taken place for women. and Police and Sheriff Relief Funds. Republic in 1898. The institution of Congress has evolved from I am fortunate to have Chuck and Becky During his visit I am sure that President 1917 when Jeanette Rankin was the first Gunnoe as members of my district and per- Ramos will take some time to focus upon an woman Member of Congress to the 53 women sonal friends. Their commitment to family and issue which has been of importance to him for who currently serve in the House. There is re- community is one that should serve as a some time now. While still a West Point Cadet spect for the contributions made by women model for others to follow. I thank them for in the 1950's, President Ramos became inter- Members of Congress who are playing a sig- their innumerable contributions and wish them ested in bells left by the Army 11th Infantry at nificant role in establishing sound public pol- the best of luck in all of their future endeavors. F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, the Bells of icy. f Balangiga. These church bells were taken from a Catholic church in the Philippines by It is important that young women know who WELCOMING PRESIDENT FIDEL U.S. military forces in 1901. As Philippine De- their Founding Mothers are. This exhibit exem- VALDEZ RAMOS OF THE REPUB- fense Secretary and later as President of the plifies what pioneering women have done to LIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Philippine Republic, he repeatedly worked to- move our community forward. This array of ward the return of these bells. women include the women who started Chil- HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD There was a time when officers at F.E. War- dren's Mercy Hospital, Dorothy Gallagher, OF GUAM ren wanted to get rid of the bells. The brass whose family built what is now the Guadalupe IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES relics seemed to have no relevance for a mod- Center, and Linda Hall, whose library re- ern missile base. Few people seemed to know searchers depend on worldwide. Sharing the Wednesday, April 1, 1998 or care about these bellsÐthat is until the Fili- history of important Kansas City women with Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, hailing pinos requested their return. subsequent generations will be made possible from the congressional district geographically Vocal opposition from a number of Chey- by this exhibit. situated closest to the Republic of the Phil- enne residents has prevented any progress on Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to applaud Bar- ippines, Guam and its people share deep cul- this issue. The bells are currently part of a bara Potts and Jane Flynn for their initiative to tural and historic ties with the Philippines. It is, monument which supposedly memorializes establish the Women's History Collection and therefore, with great anticipation and pleasure American soldiers who died in Balangiga, a all the women whose lives comprise it. that I join Filipino communities all over the small town in Central Philippines. However,