Franklin Quitugua

Franklin Quitugua
Speaker Franklin J.A. Quitugua
Speaker of the 19th Guam Legislature
In office January 5, 1987 – January 2, 1989
Preceded by	Carl T.C. Gutierrez
Succeeded by	Joe T. San Agustin
Senator in the 14th-20th Guam Legislatures
In office January 3, 1977 – January 7, 1991
Chairman of the Democratic Party of Guam
In office 1979–1981
Preceded by	Frank Q. Cruz
Succeeded by	F. Philip Carbullido
Personal details
Born	Franklin Joseph Arceo Quitugua November 6, 1933 Guam, U.S.
Died	February 26, 2015 (aged 81) Tamuning, Guam
Political party	Democratic Party of Guam
Spouse(s)	Julia Jane Siguenza Quitugua (dec.)[1]
Relations	Michael San Nicolas (grandson)
Children	Clare Aglubat Franklin Quitugua Jr. Eva San Nicolas Mark Quitugua Jacqueline Ronan
Residence	Chalan Pago
Alma mater	George Washington High School, Northern Arizona University, University of Oregon
Occupation	Educator, Politician
Religion	Roman Catholic

Franklin Joseph Arceo Quitugua (November 6, 1933 – February 26, 2015) was a Guamanian politician who served as a Democratic senator in 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th Guam Legislatures and Speaker of the 19th Guam Legislature.^[2] He is the son of Ignacio Perez Quitugua, who served in the 1st and the 9th Guam Legislatures, and the grandfather of Senator Michael F.Q. San Nicolas who is serving in the 33rd Guam Legislature.^[1][2][3]

Early life and education

Franklin Joseph Arceo Quitugua, born in Guam on November 6, 1933, is the son of Ignacio Perez Quitugua, who served in the 1st and 9th Guam Legislatures, and Rosa Santos Arceo Quitugua. Franklin Quitugua was on island during the occupation of Guam by Japan and the liberation of Guam by American armed forces. He graduated from George Washington High School in 1952.^[1][4]

Franklin Quitugua attended Northern Arizona University, majoring in Business Education with a minor in English. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1956.^[1][3] Upon returning to Guam, Franklin worked as a secondary school teacher in George Washington High School. After five years, he returned to Northern Arizona University, where he received his Master of Arts in Secondary Education Administration in 1962.^[1] After returning to Guam, he was given the position as Principal of George Washington Junior High School, which was later renamed Agueda Johnston Middle School.^[1] Franklin Quitugua was appointed Administrative Assistant to the Director of Education in 1968, became Deputy Director of Education^[1] and was appointed Director of Education by Governor Manuel F.L. Guerrero in 1969^[1][3] and retained in the position by Governor Carlos Camacho.^[4]

From 1972 to 1975, Mr. Quitugua attended graduate school at the University of Oregon and received his Ph.D. in Educational Administration with a minor emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction, Anthropology and Education. Dr. Franklin Quitugua continued to serve as Director of Education until he resigned from the position in 1976^[3] to seek the position of Senator in the Guam Legislature.^[4]

Political career

Dr. Franklin Quitugua ran as a Democratic Senator in the Guam Legislature in 1976. In the General Election of 1976, he placed number nine,^[2] winning his first election and allowing him to serve the people in the 14th Guam Legislature^[1][2][3]

The 1978 and 1980 elections saw Guam's Legislature divided into four at-large districts. In 1978, Franklin Quitugua placed number one in the third district for the democratic primary election with 2,769 votes and went on to place number two for the district with 3,806 votes. He won his first reelection contest, allowing him to serve in the 15th Guam Legislature.^[3][5]

In 1980, Franklin Quitugua placed number three in the democratic primary election with 2,184 votes and went on the place number three for the district with 3,904 votes. He served the people in the 16th Guam Legislature.^[3][5]

For the 1982 primary, Franklin Quitugua placed number three in the democratic primary election with 7,385 votes. In the general election, he placed number eleven with 14,060 votes. He served the people in the 17th Guam Legislature.^[3][6]

For the 1984 primary, Franklin Quitugua placed number seven in the democratic primary election with 6,939 votes. In the general election, he placed number twenty-one with 12,259 votes. He served the people in the 18th Guam Legislature.^[3][7]

For the 1986 primary, Franklin Quitugua placed number seven in the democratic primary election with 8,820 votes. In the general election, he placed number fourteen with 15,057 votes. During this term, he served as Speaker of the Guam Legislature.^[1][3][8]

For the 1988 primary, Franklin Quitugua placed number twelve in the democratic primary election with 6,795 votes. In the general election, he placed number twenty with 13,782 votes. He served the people in the 20th Guam Legislature.^[9]

For the 1990 primary, Franklin Quitugua placed number six in the democratic primary election with 9,456 votes. In the general election, he placed number twenty-four with 14,894 votes.^[10]

Major Legislative Accomplishments

During his tenure as Senator in the Guam Legislature, Dr. Franklin Quitugua increased funding for educational facilities, including the University of Guam, authorized the creation of and expansion of schools, expanding facilities at the Guam Community College, lobbying the United States Congress for increased Compact Impact Aid funding, authorizing the teaching of the Chamorro language in the Department of Education, and enabling the creation of alternative educational programs in Guam's public schools.^[4]

Retirement

After his final attempt to serve the people as Senator in the Guam Legislature, Dr. Quitugua served as Director of Education from 1991 to 1993.^[1] After retiring from the Department of Education, Dr. Quitugua served on the Board of Regents of the University of Guam.^[3][4]

Franklin Quitugua died on February 26, 2015 at Guam Memorial Hospital, accompanied by family members. On the day of his death, Speak Judith T.P. Won Pat issued a statement, which said: “Our island has lost a great public servant today. Speaker Quitugua contributed to the advancement of education on Guam both in his service as Director of Education and as a senator, who chaired the education committee and increased funding for educational facilities in our island’s public schools, the University of Guam and the Guam Community College. His legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren, who have also been called to public service, continuing his work both in the schools and the Legislature.”^[11] His viewing and funeral mass were held at the Duble Nombre de Maria Cathedral Church in Hagatna. He was interred at Guam Memorial Park, Leyang, Barrigada.

See also

• Guam Legislature
• Democratic Party of Guam
• Michael F.Q. San Nicolas

References

1. Shawn Raymundo. Former senator, educator Franklin Quitugua dies at 81 Pacific Daily News. Hagatna, 27 February 2015.
2. Guam Election Commission, 2012 Election Comparative Analysis Report, Hagatna, July 2013.
3. Robert Q. Tupaz. Former Speaker Franklin Quitugua dead at 81 Marianas Variety. Tamuning, 27 January 2015.
4. Guam Legislature. Relative to honoring Speaker Franklin Joseph Arceo Quitugua, Ph.D., for his lifelong dedication and service to his people as an educator, administrator, Senator, Speaker and leader, and acknowledging and commending his many years of service and dedication to the educational development of our island, and his unswerving dedication to serving the community he so dearly loves., Hagatna, January 2007.
5. Guam Election Commission, 1980 Election Comparative Analysis Report, Hagatna, 1981.
6. Guam Election Commission, 1983 Election Comparative Analysis Report, Hagatna, 1983.
7. Guam Election Commission, 1984 Election Comparative Analysis Report, Hagatna, 1985.
8. Guam Election Commission, 1986 Election Comparative Analysis Report, Hagatna, 1987.
9. Guam Election Commission, 1988 Election Comparative Analysis Report, Hagatna, 1989.
10. Guam Election Commission, 1990 Election Comparative Analysis Report, Hagatna, 1991.
11. Shawn Raymundo. Former Speaker Franklin Quitugua dies at 81. Pacific Daily News. Hagatna, 26 February 2015.