The Committee on Rules presented and adopted a resolution recognizing the American Red Cross Guam chapter on its 109th anniversary and commending Maria Carmen “Chita” Blaze for 27 years of service as executive director.

The resolution, read into the record by a committee member, cites the chapter’s founding under a congressional charter on 10/23/1916 and lists the chapter’s work in youth programs, blood drives, emergency sheltering and disaster response. The text states that, during the aftermath of the most recent storm, the chapter directed more than $13,100,000 in aid to nearly 27,700 individuals.

Molly Schmidt, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Pacific Islands region, spoke at the ceremony on behalf of the Red Cross and told the legislature that a plaque is being installed at the chapter’s second-floor board room, which will be named "Blaze Hall." "We offer hope," Schmidt said, describing the chapter’s role in providing shelter, supplies and family support after storms and fires.

Maria Carmen Cheetah (Chita) Blaze accepted the resolution and expressed gratitude to volunteers, board members and the small staff who support the chapter’s work. Blaze noted she and the chapter are searching for a successor and acknowledged longtime staff including Sandra Romero, who she said has been with the chapter 42 years, disaster program manager Edward Lee, and Leticia Borja, director of service to the armed forces. "I accept this resolution with deep humility," she said.

An American Red Cross Guam board chairman who spoke at the event congratulated Blaze and urged community members to volunteer and take training offered by the chapter.

The resolution directs that certified copies be transmitted to Molly Schmidt, to Chita Blaze, to the chapter of the American Red Cross, and to Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero. The transcript records the resolution as "duly and regularly adopted by the committee on rules" and notes signatures on the document dated November 2025 by Speaker Frank F. Bloss Jr., Vice Speaker and Rules Chair V. Anthony Atta, and Legislative Secretary Sabrina Salas Matanoni. The transcript does not specify a recorded roll-call vote or vote tally.

The presentation concluded with a final appeal for volunteers and donations to sustain the chapter’s work on Guam.