by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Governor Eddie Baza Calvo has declared a State of Mourning in honor of the late Senator Antonio "Tony" Palomo who passed away on Friday.

The Governor issued the following statement:

"I have fond childhood memories of Senator Palomo. He and my father were very close allies and friends. They even ran together for office. I remember Senator Palomo was a kind man, a family man. He was such a good person. I look back at the story of a man like him, and I'm just inspired. He was a pioneer in our island's young journey in self-government. He reported about the news of our young democracy as a young man. Then he became a newsmaker himself. Then in the twilight of his life, he chronicled it all, with such a deep passion for moving Guam forward with an appreciation of our heritage. He was deeply in love with Guam. In this eve of the start of construction of the Guam Museum, we should all be grateful for Senator Palomo's contributions as an historian who led the museum for years. Guam has lost a great man, a great statesman. Christine and I, Notch and Ray send our prayers and thoughts to Mrs. Palomo and their family."

Rosaries are being said nightly at 6:30pm with mass following at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Tamuning.