Underwood, Robert A.

Robert Anacletus Underwood (born July 13, 1948) is an American politician and educator. A member of the Democratic Party of Guam, he is the territory's former Delegate to the United States House of Representatives, having served from 1993 to 2003, and was the president of the University of Guam from 2008 to 2018.

Born in Tamuning, Guam, he graduated from Guam's John F. Kennedy High School there before earning B.A. and M.A. degrees from California State University. From 1972 to 1976, he was a high school teacher, a school administrator, and a curriculum writer for Guam’s public schools. He then worked at the University of Guam from 1977 to 1992 as an instructor for and a director of the Bilingual Bicultural Training Program and a director of Project BEAM (Bilingual Education Assistance from Micronesia). He was also a professor of education, the dean of the College of Education, and the academic vice president of the university. During this period, Underwood also earned an EdD from the University of Southern California in 1987 and graduated from Harvard’s Management Development Program in 1988.

In 1992 Underwood left the University of Guam to challenge four-term incumbent Ben Garrido Blaz in the election for Guam’s congressional Delegate seat. Long active in the debate on Guam’s political status, Underwood was familiar with the issues affecting the island and pledged to use his experience in public policy to help Guam at the national level. Underwood’s electoral prospects received an unanticipated boost when an impending typhoon postponed voting in Guam for nearly a week. Thus, Guamanians knew before going to the polls that William J. (Bill) Clinton had succeeded in his bid to unseat President George H. W. Bush. This was an important development since both Underwood and Blaz had emphasized the significance of Guam’s having a Delegate from the same party as the President. Ultimately, Underwood benefited from a desire for political change and bested Blaz with 55 percent of the vote.In subsequent elections, Underwood cruised to victory.

During his first term in the House, Underwood was assigned to the Armed Services, Natural Resources, and Education and Labor Committees. He remained on Armed Services and Natural Resources throughout his five terms in the House but left Education and Labor after the 103rd Congress (1993–1995). Lacking the ability to vote on the final passage of legislation, Underwood used his committee work as a vital tool to represent his constituents. His spot on Natural Resources—an essential seat for Territorial Delegates—allowed him to weigh in on and influence legislation affecting Guam and the other U.S. territories. Located west of the International Date Line, Guam is a strategic U.S. military stronghold because of its proximity to East Asia. As the U.S. military presence on the island grew after World War II and the Cold War, Guam’s economy became closely linked to the armed forces. Underwood’s seat on the Armed Services Committee allowed him to cultivate military connections and monitor any changes that might affect the island. In addition to his committee work, Underwood also chaired the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus during the 106th Congress (1999–2001).

In 2002 Underwood announced his decision to not seek a sixth term in the House. till interested in public service, he entered the race for governor of Guam in 2002. Underwood lost the election, garnering 45 percent of the vote to Republican Felix Camacho’s 55 percent. Underwood ran again in 2006, losing to Camacho 50 to 48 percent. Having been named professor emeritus by the University of Guam in 2000, Underwood was selected as the university’s president in 2008, remaining in that role until retiring in 2018. A 2020 bid to return to the House as Guam Delegate came up short with incumbent Democrat Michael San Nicolas defeating Underwood in a runoff election.