By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

A FORMER state lawmaker from New Hampshire is on Saipan to bring a commendation for the CNMI’s 31-year-old Covenant agreement with the U.S.
Joseph Manning arrived here a week ago to personally hand to Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela a commendation from New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch for the 31st anniversary of the islands’ political union with the United States.
Senate Vice President, Pete P. Reyes, Ind.-Saipan; Senate Floor Leader Felix T. Mendiola, Covenant-Rota; Sen. Maria T. Pangelinan, D-Saipan; Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio, Saipan Municipal Council chairwoman Marian DLG Tudela and council member Antonia Tudela, joined the mayor yesterday morning in giving Manning a certificate of appreciation for his visit.
Manning, who was among the soldiers who saw action in the Battle of Saipan, expressed amazement at how the island he last saw more than 60 years ago had changed.
“There was a storm when I left (Saipan) and the place was devastated. Everything, including Garapan, was flat,” Manning said.
The hotels and beautiful beaches are admirable, said Manning who will return to New Hampshire today.
“What happened to the island these past years is amazing. It has turned into an incredibly beautiful place — this place had a rebirth,” he added.
Before Manning received his certificate of appreciation, he talked about politics in New Hampshire whose state motto is “Live Free or Die.”
He said state legislators are “close to the people.”
During election periods, he said candidates are on the streets to meet voters face to face and make eye to eye contact when shaking hands with them.
He said candidates don’t go on television because they know nobody will watch them.
Mayor Tudela said hewas very happy that somebody from New Hampshire came all the way to visit Saipan.
“The visit of former state Rep. Joseph Manning to Saipan signals the support of the people of the state of New Hampshire to the people of Saipan and the rest of the commonwealth,” Tudela said.
The Saipan Municipal Council also handed its own commemorative resolution to Manning.