Guam - Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo today spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the late congressman Ben Blaz. She asked that the House to observe a moment of silence in his honor.

"Ben was a longtime friend whose lifetime of service to Guam and our nation has been an inspiration to generations.  As a survivor of the Japanese occupation of Guam during World War II, Ben had a strong sense of patriotism and duty to our country. He was commissioned as an officer in the Marine Corps in 1951 and went on to become the first Chamorro to achieve the rank of brigadier general. In 1984, Ben was elected to serve in this House, where he represented the people of Guam for four terms" she said.

Blaz passed away yesterday in Virginia.  His nephew Michael Borja says nightly masses are being held at the San Juan Bautista Church in Ordot at 6pm until January 17th. He added the family is planning a large memorial service on Guam. He also confirmed that Blaz will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery next to his wife who passed away last year. No date has been announced yet for the funeral. Blaz was 85 years old.