Madeleine Bordallo
Encyclopedia
Madeleine Mary Zeien Bordallo (born May 31, 1933) is the Delegate
from Guam
to the United States House of Representatives
.
She was the first woman ever to serve as Guam's Delegate, Guam's first female Lieutenant Governor
(served 1995-2002), Guam's first female candidate for Governor (1990 election), and the first Democrat
ic woman elected to the Legislature of Guam
. Her 1990 campaign also made her the first non-Chamorro gubernatorial candidate in Guam. As the wife of Ricky Bordallo, she was also the First Lady
of Guam from 1975–1978 and 1983-1986.
to a military family and grew up on Guam after her father was stationed there. She attended St. Mary’s College
in Notre Dame, Indiana
and the College of St. Catherine
in St. Paul, Minnesota. Bordallo was a television host and presenter for KUAM-TV
on the island of Guam during the 1950s and 1960s.
Bordallo was married to Ricardo Bordallo
, who served as Governor of Guam from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1987. While serving as first lady, she worked to emphasize the arts in the classroom and to increase awareness of the local Chamorro culture. Bordallo was a member of the Guam Legislature on two different occasions, serving from 1981 to 1982 and again from 1986 to 1994. During the 1988 U.S. presidential election, Bordallo was a member of Guam's uncommitted delegation to the 1988 Democratic National Convention
.
Mrs. Bordallo was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Guam in 1990, following the death of her husband. Ping Duenas
ran as Bordallo's running mate
for lieutenant governor in the 1990 gubernatorial election.
In 1994, she ran alongside Carl T.C. Gutierrez
on the Democratic ticket and was elected Lieutenant Governor of Guam
, serving from 1995 to 2002. In this role, she worked to promote tourism and environmentalism.
In 2002, as Bordallo reached her term limit and as Delegate Robert Underwood vacated his seat and attempted to run for governor, she campaigned for and was elected as a Democrat
to the House, serving from January 2003 to the present, and is the first woman to represent Guam in Congress. She is one of six non-voting delegates
to the House of Representatives. While in Congress, she has devoted herself to economic issues and has helped to pass legislation that aids small businesses on Guam. She has also been involved in military issues.
In April 2008, Bordallo apologized after an investigative report by the Pacific Daily News
revealed that she and Senator Jesse Lujan both claimed to have degrees on their official biographies and resumes when they had not graduated from college. Bordallo was interviewed on Stephen Colbert
's The Colbert Report on April 26, 2007, as part of its "Better Know a Protectorate
" segment for Guam. The interview was repeated on April 30, 2008.
Delegate (United States Congress)
A delegate to Congress is a non-voting member of the United States House of Representatives who is elected from a U.S. territory and from Washington, D.C. to a two-year term. While unable to vote in the full House, a non-voting delegate may vote in a House committee of which the delegate is a member...
from Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
.
She was the first woman ever to serve as Guam's Delegate, Guam's first female Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
(served 1995-2002), Guam's first female candidate for Governor (1990 election), and the first Democrat
Democratic Party (Guam)
The Democratic Party is a political party in Guam. It is affiliated to the United States Democratic Party.Its most prominent member is Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Guam's delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives since 2003....
ic woman elected to the Legislature of Guam
Legislature of Guam
The Legislature of Guam is the territorial legislature of Guam. The legislative branch of the unincorporated U.S. territory is unicameral, with a single house consisting of fifteen senators, serving for a two year term...
. Her 1990 campaign also made her the first non-Chamorro gubernatorial candidate in Guam. As the wife of Ricky Bordallo, she was also the First Lady
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
of Guam from 1975–1978 and 1983-1986.
Biography
Madeleine Mary Zeien was born in Graceville, MinnesotaGraceville, Minnesota
At the 2000 census, there were 605 people, 257 households and 149 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,007.7 per square mile . There were 283 housing units at an average density of 471.4 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 99.50% White, 0.17% Native...
to a military family and grew up on Guam after her father was stationed there. She attended St. Mary’s College
Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
Saint Mary's College is a private Catholic liberal arts college founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. It is located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community northeast of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States — as are the University of Notre Dame and Holy...
in Notre Dame, Indiana
Notre Dame, Indiana
Notre Dame is a census-designated place north of South Bend in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States; it includes the campuses of three colleges: the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary's College, and Holy Cross College. Notre Dame is split between Clay and Portage Townships...
and the College of St. Catherine
College of St. Catherine
St. Catherine University is a private Catholic university for women located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. There is also a campus in Minneapolis. Enrollment is 5,246 students. With approximately 2,900 bachelor's students, it is the largest university for women in the United States. Its...
in St. Paul, Minnesota. Bordallo was a television host and presenter for KUAM-TV
KUAM-TV
KUAM-TV is the NBC affiliate serving Guam. The station is currently owned by Pacific Telestations, Inc., and is a sister station to CBS affiliate KUAM-LP and the local Public-access television cable channel Local 2...
on the island of Guam during the 1950s and 1960s.
Bordallo was married to Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Bordallo
Ricardo Jerome "Ricky" Bordallo , U.S. Democratic Party politician, He served as Governor of Guam from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1987.- Early life :...
, who served as Governor of Guam from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1987. While serving as first lady, she worked to emphasize the arts in the classroom and to increase awareness of the local Chamorro culture. Bordallo was a member of the Guam Legislature on two different occasions, serving from 1981 to 1982 and again from 1986 to 1994. During the 1988 U.S. presidential election, Bordallo was a member of Guam's uncommitted delegation to the 1988 Democratic National Convention
1988 Democratic National Convention
The 1988 National Convention of the U.S. Democratic Party was held at The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia from July 18–July 21, 1988 to select a candidate for the 1988 United States presidential election. At the convention Gov. Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts was nominated for President and...
.
Mrs. Bordallo was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Guam in 1990, following the death of her husband. Ping Duenas
Ping Duenas
Jose “Ping” Andres Ramirez Duenas was a Guamanian politician and public servant. Duenas served as a Senator in the Legislature of Guam from 1971 to 1978 and was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Guam in 1990....
ran as Bordallo's running mate
Running mate
A running mate is a person running together with another person on a joint ticket during an election. The term is most often used in reference to the person in the subordinate position but can also properly be used when referring to both candidates, such as "Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen were...
for lieutenant governor in the 1990 gubernatorial election.
In 1994, she ran alongside Carl T.C. Gutierrez
Carl T.C. Gutierrez
Carl Tommy Cruz Gutierrez is a Guamanian politician.He has served at total of 10 terms in the Guam Legislature and ran unsuccessfully for Governor in 1978 , and again in 1986. Gutierrez was defeated by Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo and Lieutenant Governor Edward D. Reyes in 1986...
on the Democratic ticket and was elected Lieutenant Governor of Guam
Lieutenant Governor of Guam
The Guamanian self governing government consists of a locally elected Governor, Lieutenant Governor and a fifteen member Legislature. The current Lieutenant Governor is Ray Tenorio, who has been in office since January 3, 2011....
, serving from 1995 to 2002. In this role, she worked to promote tourism and environmentalism.
In 2002, as Bordallo reached her term limit and as Delegate Robert Underwood vacated his seat and attempted to run for governor, she campaigned for and was elected as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to the House, serving from January 2003 to the present, and is the first woman to represent Guam in Congress. She is one of six non-voting delegates
Delegate (United States Congress)
A delegate to Congress is a non-voting member of the United States House of Representatives who is elected from a U.S. territory and from Washington, D.C. to a two-year term. While unable to vote in the full House, a non-voting delegate may vote in a House committee of which the delegate is a member...
to the House of Representatives. While in Congress, she has devoted herself to economic issues and has helped to pass legislation that aids small businesses on Guam. She has also been involved in military issues.
In April 2008, Bordallo apologized after an investigative report by the Pacific Daily News
Pacific Daily News
The Pacific Daily News, formerly Guam Daily News, is a morning-edition newspaper based in Hagåtña, Guam. It is owned by Gannett Corporation and is published seven days a week...
revealed that she and Senator Jesse Lujan both claimed to have degrees on their official biographies and resumes when they had not graduated from college. Bordallo was interviewed on Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert
Stephen Tyrone Colbert is an American political satirist, writer, comedian, television host, and actor. He is the host of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report, a satirical news show in which Colbert portrays a caricatured version of conservative political pundits.Colbert originally studied to be an...
's The Colbert Report on April 26, 2007, as part of its "Better Know a Protectorate
Better Know A District
Better Know a District is a recurring segment on The Colbert Report. It offers a humorous explanation of a different United States Congressional district in each segment and generally includes an interview with that district's member of Congress.- Structure :Each segment begins with basic...
" segment for Guam. The interview was repeated on April 30, 2008.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Armed ServicesUnited States House Committee on Armed Servicesthumb|United States House Committee on Armed Services emblemThe U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, commonly known as the House Armed Services Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives...
- Subcommittee on ReadinessUnited States House Armed Services Subcommittee on ReadinessHouse Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness is a subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee in the United States House of Representatives.-Jurisdiction:The Readiness Subcommittee exercises oversight and legislative jurisdiction over:...
(Ranking Member) - Subcommittee on Military Personnel
- Subcommittee on Readiness
- Committee on Natural Resources
- Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral ResourcesUnited States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral ResourcesThe United States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources is one of the five subcommittees within the House Natural Resources Committee-Members, 112th Congress:-External links:*...
- Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs
- Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Asian Pacific American CaucusCongressional Asian Pacific American CaucusThe Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus founded on May 16, 1994, by former Congressman Norman Mineta, is a bicameral caucus consisting of members of the United States Congress who have a strong interest in promoting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders issues and advocating the concerns of...
(Vice Chair) - Congressional China Caucus (Co-Chair)
- International Conservation CaucusUnited States Congressional International Conservation CaucusThe U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus is a bipartisan congressional organization that was founded in September 2003 with the conviction that “the United States of America has the opportunity, the obligation and the interests to advance the conservation of natural resources for...
- Long Range Strike Caucus
- United States-Philippines Friendship Caucus
- Wounded to Work Caucus