The following is the text of his inaugural address delivered on Monday in the House chamber.
WELCOME distinguished guests, family, friends and my fellow legislators. Thank you all for being here today. First and foremost, I would like to extend my deepest and most sincere Un Dangkulo na Si Yu’us Ma’ase to the people of Precinct One for putting their trust in me, and allowing me to hold this seat. It is of the utmost greatest honor to be re-elected as a representative of the first district of the 22nd Commonwealth Legislature.
Rep. Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero
I wish to congratulate all elected and re-elected members of the House. It is such a unique responsibility to serve our community. I look forward to maximizing our time working together toward the betterment of our dear CNMI.
I do not take this responsibility lightly. During my tenure as a representative these past few years, I have always put the community members at the top of my priority list and nothing changes today. The community should always be put first, and I will continue to strive my best in the seat the people have put me in.
We all have felt the hardships this past year has placed on the world. The same way we were resilient in the time of Soudelor and Yutu, our community has proven that by working together, we can overcome anything that comes our way. And we sure did prove that. Major nations have looked our way and now mimic our Covid-19 protocols. What an honor it is to be from such a small tiny island that has made such a tremendous impact on the world.
Our economy took a hard hit with Covid-19, but it is not impossible to revive. I believe that the people you see here before you today, along with the Senate, Governor and his team, and other government agencies, along with the beautiful people of the CNMI, will be able to come together and find a solution. It will be hard, it will be tiresome, but I believe in us all to get the job done.
Additionally, I believe that major focus needs to continue to be on our children’s education. It is imperative that we get our children back to school, face to face with their teachers and peers so that their learning can soar. I believe that we, your elected leaders and the Covid-19 task force, will be able to come together and find a way to get this done in the safest way possible.
Honorable members of the house, let us put party and biases aside and come together, united as one. We have all been given a tremendous opportunity to occupy this seat. Let us not waste a moment. With great power comes great responsibility. We have a duty to ensure fair and impartial governance to our people of the CNMI.
Our dear community members, please never forget that this is not my seat, rather, your seat that you have allowed me to hold. The office I take space in, is your office and will always be. I thank you all once again for the trust you have bestowed upon me. With God as our leader, I have faith that we will flourish.
