ANGEL LEON GUERRERO SANTOS, WHOSE MEAGER BEGINNINGS SPARKED A MOVEMENT OF CHAMORU CONSCIOUSNESS WITH THE INDEPENDENT CHAMORU CHE'LUS AND THE CHAMORU NATION, BECAME A SENATOR IN THE GUAM LEGISLATURE AND ONCE DARED TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR OF THE ISLAND OF GUAM.
CONSIDERED AN ACTIVIST, HE FOUGHT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHAMORU LAND TRUST ACT, THE RETURN OF EXCESS FEDERAL LAND, UNCOVERED TOXIC WASTES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY KEPT QUIET BY MILITARY AUTHORITIES, WROTE AND LECTURED ON THE SOCIAL INJUSTICES OF THE CHAMORU PEOPLE, AND CHAMPIONED HUMAN RIGHTS ESPECIALLY FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.
HE DIED OF AN AS-YET-TO-BE DECLARED OFFICIAL MALADY AFTER SPENDING HALF A YEAR IN A FEDERAL PRISON FOR A MISDEMEANOR, THAT OF CLEARING THE LAND HIS GRANDFATHER ONCE OWNED BUT TAKEN AWAY BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
JOSE "MALA'ET" GARRIDO, DEBBIE QUINATA, ROBERT CELESTIAL, RONALD LAGUANA, AND WILLIAM HERNANDEZ WILL BE JOINED BY HIS SON CHRISTOPHER RAY SANTOS TO SHARE INSIGHTS, PERSPECTIVES, TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS, AND HIS FIGHT AGAINST SOCIAL INJUSTICES. THE PANEL PRESENTATION WILL BE MODERATED BY PETER R. ONEDERA.
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IT RESOLVED BY I MINA’ HACHA NA FULU NA LIHESLATURAN GUÅHAN"""
WHEREAS, the late Angel Santos is survived by his children, Angel Ray Anthony Santos, IV, Sheila Marie Santos Indalecio, Christopher Ray Pangelinan Santos, Vanessa Joy Gumataotao Santos, Francine Nicole Gumataotao Santos (Deceased), Brandon Scott Gumataotao Santos, Taga Hurao Santos-Salas, Ke’puha Hirao Santos-Salas, Sosanbra Elisha Santos-Salas; and,
WHEREAS, the late Angel Santos defended democracy through his 13 years of service as an Airman in the United States Air Force; and,
WHEREAS, in 1991, after a year of organizing Guam’s youth, the late Angel Santos became president of the United Chamorro Chelus for Independence Association; and,
WHEREAS, the late Angel Santos was the catalyst in the creation of the Nasion Chamoru, a group founded on commitment to the preservation of our Chamorro Culture, Spirit, Language, Air, Land and Water, and also served as the group’s first spokesperson; and,
WHEREAS, the late Angel Santos played a prominent role in the implementation of the Chamorro Land Trust Act, through engaging in protests at Adelup and filing a lawsuit along with other members of the Chamoru Nation, and later as a Senator by authorizing the Rules and Regulations for the Chamorro Land Trust Commission; and
WHEREAS, the late Angel Santos served the people of Guam as a leader and lawmaker in the 23rd, 24th, and 26th Guam Legislatures; and,
WHEREAS, in July 1995, the late Angel Santos increased awareness of the issue of the right of man to his land by going on a hunger strike; and
WHEREAS, in 1997, the late Angel Santos served as a panelist at Harvard University’s forum on “Guam’s Quest for Self-Determination”, and has participated in numerous forums across the world educating others about injustices on Guam; and,
WHEREAS, the late former Senator was a man who embraced his heritage and culture and regularly visited the island’s schools to promote and perpetuate that knowledge; and
WHEREAS, the late Angel Santos was an environmental, cultural, and human rights activist who stopped at nothing to help those who sought his assistance; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that I Mina’Bente Siete Na Liheslaturan Guåhan, on behalf of the people of Guam, extend heartfelt condolences to the family and supporters of Angel “Anghet” Leon Guerrero Santos, and does recognize and remember the life and accomplishments of the late Angel “Anghet” Leon Guerrero Santos, who selflessly worked to improve the quality of life of the people of Guam, toiled tirelessly to ensure his people were being heard, stood up for the common man, spoke out against injustices, fought for the return of ancestral property, was compassionate to those in need, and helped to enhance and promote his culture, heritage, and language; and also be it
RESOLVED, that these words by “Anghet” may never be forgotten, “We cannot be passive or silent when human beings endure suffering or humiliation. We must step forward and take sides. We must assist immediately. At times, we may fail. At times, we may make mistakes. But we must never make the mistake of failing to try. People deserve nothing less”; and be it further
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