RB Camacho
THE Saipan Mayor’s Office commemorates the donation of the JFK monument to the Center for Living Independently by sending letters to President Joe Biden, the JFK Foundation and family, and U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.
The Saipan Mayor’s Office, in partnership with Kautz Glass and Hawaiian Rock, recently refurbished and redesigned the monument of the late President John F. Kennedy as an addition to CLI’s new facility on Capital Hill.
President Kennedy was instrumental in creating a fair and equal society for all citizens including those with developmental disabilities.
To commemorate this event the Saipan Mayor’s Office prepared letter packets, each containing a letter, a photo of the monument, and a photo of the monument’s plate inscription. The letter packets were sent to President Joe Biden, the Kennedy Family and Foundation, and Congressman Kilili. The following are excerpts from the three letters:
To the JFK Foundation and Kennedy Family
“One figure who epitomizes these American virtues, particularly in the eyes of our predominantly Catholic community, is the late President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. President Kennedy, a trailblazer in various realms, holds a special place in our hearts. He not only broke barriers as the nation’s first Catholic President but also championed the cause of equality for all Americans, with a particular focus on our fellow citizens living with disabilities who needed extra support during a time when they faced exclusion from mainstream society.”
To President Biden
“…President Kennedy’s unwavering commitment to the equality of all Americans, especially our fellow citizens living with disabilities, is a testament to his dedication to the principles of justice and inclusivity. During an era when those with disabilities were often marginalized by mainstream society, President Kennedy’s advocacy led to the historic signing of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act on October 31, 1963.”
To Congressman Kilili
“I am pleased to share with you that here on Saipan, our Center for Living Independence has been diligently working to support fellow citizens living with disabilities. On Oct. 6, 2023, CLI will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to inaugurate its new facility on Saipan. As a central feature of this new facility, my office has proudly donated a monument of President Kennedy. This monument serves as a tribute to his monumental contributions to creating a more equal and just society. Attached to this letter, you will find a photograph of the monument as well as an image of the plate inscription.
“I had the privilege to witness the proclamation signing of the 2023 Developmental Disabilities Awareness month and the Saipan Champions of Equal Opportunity. During the proclamation celebration, I was moved by the speeches especially to learn that on 1963, the late Honorable President John F. Kennedy signed the Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Amendment to the Social Security Act, now known as the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and the Bill of Rights Act. This was what prompted me to find the statue of President John F. Kennedy as I’ve learned it was once erected in front of the Mount Carmel Cathedral.”
For any questions or more information, please contact the Saipan Mayor’s office at (670) 234- 6208 or visit its website at https://saipanmayor.cnmi.gov/. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Saipan Mayor’s Office is also open through lunch.
