A FEW years ago, as part of Mount Carmel School’s 70th anniversary, I nominated Gov. Arnold Indalecio Palacios as that year’s AlumKnight of the year, an award that was conferred upon him without any hesitation by our alma mater. This is the nomination narrative I submitted:
“Arnold was a part of the first generation of islanders from Saipan to pursue higher education, earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Portland State University. Soon after earning his degree, he returned to the CNMI to lead efforts to protect the environment, serving as the Director for the CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife for 12 years and later as the Secretary of the CNMI Department of Land and Natural Resources. As a leading environmental professional, Arnold was instrumental in securing the CNMI’s key membership in the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, a regional fishery management council established by the U.S. Congress to use science and traditional knowledge to inform local decisions about sustainable fishing. He also served as the Chair of the Council and delivered critical testimony in 2014 before the U.S. Senate on the pressing issues facing the Western Pacific.
“Arnold’s leadership in environmental stewardship has been matched by his stewardship as one of the CNMI’s preeminent elected officials. He served in the CNMI House of Representatives for eight years representing Precinct 3 and for which he led as House Speaker in the 16th CNMI Legislature. Not long afterwards, he went on to serve in the CNMI Senate for four years, eventually leading as Senate President in the 20th CNMI Legislature. As a Representative and a Senator, Arnold authored and co-authored a long list of important pieces of legislation that protected the environment, invested in the economy, and supported education.
“After his service in the CNMI Legislature, Arnold then went on to serve as the Lieutenant Governor of the CNMI and was recently elected as the Governor of the CNMI. With that accomplishment, Arnold is the only elected leader in CNMI history to have held the top four leadership positions in government: House Speaker, Senate President, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor.
“Through it all, Arnold has remained humble, approachable, and focused on serving the public. Despite some health challenges along the way, he has persisted in efforts to serve and lead the people of the CNMI. And, no matter how busy he is, he values spending quality time with his wife, Wella, his kids, and his grandchildren. It is also important to note that, out of appreciation and loyalty for his alma mater, Arnold sent all four of his kids to Mount Carmel School.
“Arnold Indalecio Palacios is an exemplary and seasoned statesman who has served our islands for most of its political history. He is the embodiment of Mount Carmel School’s legacy of faith, service, tradition, and excellence. I thus urge my alma mater to consider him for the AlumKnight of the Year award.”
GALVIN S. DELEON GUERRERO
Mount Carmel School AlumKnight
