The delegation is led by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall II (D-W.V.) and other U.S. lawmakers.
The three day visit to Palau will include a meeting with the Compact Review Commission at the Capitol on Saturday.The delegation will also visit the Peleliu memorial sites and tour the Compact Road.The delegation is composed of members of the House Committee. Palau and the United States are now in a middle of Compact of Free Association review.Palau has sought for a one-year extension to continue the level of funding it has been receiving from the U.S. despite of the lapse of economic provisions in September.Earlier, President JohnsonToribiong said that Palau’s request to extend the level of funding from 2009 to 2010 has been approved by the US Government Office of Management and Budget and has the support of the Departments of the Interior and State.The US budget for 2010 is still subject to the approval of the United States Congress.Members of the US delegation that are here for a visit are Del. Eni Faleomavaega of American Samoa, Henry Brown , Guam Del. Madeleine Bordallo , Rep. Jim Costa, Del. Gregorio Sablan, Del. Donna Christensen , Rep.Adrian Smith, and Del. Pedro Pierluisi.Toribiong said that the delegation’s visit to Palau “comes as a tremendous opportunity for the country.”The delegation composed of the lawmakers spouses and staff members.Toribiong , cabinet members and Palauan lawmakers welcomed the delegation who arrived in a private at 7 p.m from American Samoa.The delegation will depart for Saipan on August 8.The delegation is also set to visit Guam.
