I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right…part with him when he goes wrong.” And today, I stand before you to discuss what I believe about our status as a United States commonwealth.
For nearly 30 years, the United States has been the hand that has guided us through the years of local self-government and corruption and economic prosperity and turmoil. Are we so unhappy and bitter at the present time so as to sever the instrumental strings that hold up our very existence? Has the United States caused us such unbearable strife so as to force us to cut off our bond? Is it time to negotiate a different political status? Ladies and gentlemen, the answer is a resounding NO!
More than 30 years ago, nearly 80 percent of the residents of the Northern Marianas voted to join the American political family as a “commonwealth.” In 1976, President Gerald Ford signed Public Law 94-241 enacting “The Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands in Political Union with the United States.” Unlike that time when the indigenous people were under the forcing power of the Spanish, German, and Japanese rule, they were finally given a chance to choose the fate of our political status in the 1970s.
More than 30 years ago, the people of the NMI disregarded independence and instead chose to forge closer links with the U.S. For the first time in our history, we entered into a political status agreement not by conquest but by choice, not by force but by free will. Unlike our neighboring brothers and sisters of the FSM and Marshall Islands, our people firmly believed that the island was not ready for separation and independence from the most powerful nation in the world.
We rely on the U.S for numerous reasons. For example, let us look at government funding. These funds have been a useful means to better our infrastructure and education system. As a commonwealth, we are given the benefit of being supported by the federal government. Millions of dollars are given to us also for our educational purposes. Without such funds, receiving an education would be next to impossible.
If we become an independent state, what will become of my status? If my U.S. citizenship were to be taken away, not only would I lose the privilege of applying for most scholarships, but I — like most of us — would be deprived of the many advantages that come with being a U.S citizen — and that includes succeeding. I do not want to lose the privilege of educational scholarships. I want to be able to travel to the U.S, visit the place with ease, and be entitled to its maximum rights.
Self-made billionaire Warren Buffet once said that anything good that has ever happened to him can be traced back to the fact that he was born in the right country — America. And while there are remarkable individuals all around the world, there are certain countries that give their citizens a greater chance of succeeding. That country is America.
Without a U.S passport, I would be left with only one valid I.D — yes, one — and that is my birth certificate. Sadly, I have no driver’s license or any other personal identification. Without the legal status of being a U.S citizen, my family and I wouldn’t be eligible for Social Security and Medicaid benefits. Every time I visit the hospital, all I have to do is humbly flash my Medicaid card and patiently wait for my turn. Are we all willing to relinquish that granted status along with those benefits? Clearly, becoming an independent nation would mean to secede from the one country that gives us innumerable advantages.
One current issue filling our news headlines is the federal government’s crucial involvement in our immigration laws. While there has been both support and opposition regarding the current status, I believe that the federal government is justified in taking over our immigration laws. The U.S government cannot afford to have more than 50 states, commonwealths, and territories negotiating with other nations around the world on separate immigration issues. However, as an isolated commonwealth with a small population, I believe that we should continue with our proposals and suggestions in improving our people’s immigration status. At the conclusion of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln was posed a question regarding slaves in the South: What do you with a new class of people to whom citizenship has been denied? President Lincoln understood the heavy sacrifice slaves made that led to a fight for their freedom. They were a unique group of people who had only known degradation and had only experienced a denial of rights their entire lives. Again, Congress has the opportunity to make a similar decision. With that, I humbly ask that we highly consider and support Congressman Kilili Sablan’s recent proposal regarding the parents of U.S citizen children —that they be granted CNMI-resident only status.
We rely heavily on foreign workers because there are not enough qualified residents of the CNMI to provide the needed services to the community. Highly skilled workers and workers qualified for even domestic and construction labor are crucial for a small island like ours. If they go, who will really manage such tasks? Deeply considering and supporting this current issue will ensure essential job positions and protect our economy. Remember that this island is “home” not just to the local Chamorros and Carolinians but to the Chinese, Bangladeshis, Filipinos, Koreans, Japanese, and other ethnic races, as well.
Now, for the past few years, we have witnessed the gradual decline of the economy, from the significant increase in gas prices and market products to the rise of electricity bill rates. We have all come to wonder if our leaders are really thinking and acting on our behalf. I ask you now — how much do you and your family pay for electricity every month? At this rate, will you be able to afford paying for your utility bill five years, 10 years down the line? A previous news article stated that, “CUC is currently operating at a substantial deficit, cannot borrow money, and relies entirely on the revenues from its customers and federal grants.” Recently, the “Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission rejected the increase in electric base; however, CUC is expected to file the same base rate hike petition soon….” Isn’t it unfortunate enough that we are already in austerity? Why decide on becoming an independent nation when we are in a current economic instability? “CUC chief financial officer Charles Warren apologized on behalf of CUC for the increase, but it is we, the people, who THROW the apology back.
Since becoming a commonwealth, many changes were made in our local laws. But those laws were made by leaders whom you have voted into office. And again, we are really fortunate people to be able to vote for our leaders. For the first time in CNMI history, we experienced a nine-day government shutdown in October of 2010. The effect? An overwhelming 1,400 government employees were without pay, prompting even more severe austerity measures to take place. It wasn’t simply that our legislature failed to pass a budget bill for fiscal year 2011; the government shutdown was an embarrassment to us. Do we really want to become an independent nation…we can’t even pass a budget bill. Do we really want to become an independent nation…we can’t even pay your employees full salary. Do we really want to become an independent nation…yet we can’t even manage ourselves….
My fellow citizens, I am aware of what is happening on our island. Confusion over immigration; austerity days in the government; CUC raising their rates. And perhaps, it’s about time to stop pointing fingers. We are a commonwealth, and through that bond with the United States, we experienced unprecedented prosperity in the ’90s, and because of that bond we will again have prosperity. We are on the right path, like providing succor to the recent calamity that occurred in Japan. I am confident we will continue to be a helping hand to others. Today, I present two humble proposals. First, we must continue to encourage a spirit of volunteerism in our youth and community. Let us work hand in hand with MINA, Beautify CNMI, MVA, DEQ, Chamber of Commerce, and any other agency to strengthen and sustain our economy for future generations. Creating other tourist attractions would also be a big plus for our local economy. For example, installing an island-wide trolley for tourists. We should also teach the local customs we have on our island — such as bead-making or local cooking — instead of merely showcasing and entertaining our tourists. By working closely with MVA, we can promote a nature- and culture-based tourism — two of the CNMI’s most abundant resources.
Second, we must promote education to all generations, young and old, in the CNMI. An education is the best way to have a sustainable future.
President Lincoln said, “The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next.” I aspire to become a leader in the CNMI, and without an education, that would be impossible. What would have happened to our CNMI Public School System had it not been for our association with the U.S? Education is our bridge to improvement. An improvement is our bridge to success.
Ladies and gentlemen, my message is clear. We were not prepared 30 years ago to gain our independence from the U.S, and we are not prepared now. Our continuous relationship with the U.S is one of the many reasons why we are somewhat stable today — why we will be even more stable in the future. Without the United States’ helping hand, our current economic status would be at its worst, if it isn’t already. Without the United States, I do not see how we the people can classify ourselves. Because truthfully, millions of people, in nations far and wide, from the barrios of Mexico, to the skyscrapers of China, envy us — envy ME — for an item that can fit in the palm of my hands. As a young individual residing here in the NMI, I believe that remaining a U.S commonwealth is our way to continual success. Thank you, and enjoy your day in this great commonwealth.
(This is the second prize-winning speech of Angela Prado, a Kagman High School senior, at the recently held 27th Attorney General’s Cup)
