ON Jan. 12, 2004, the 14th House of Representatives held its organizational session. The members were sworn in, a new presiding officer was elected and the inaugural speeches were delivered. Much of what was said then could have been said — and was, in a way, said — last Monday, when the 24th House assumed office.
The following are some of the statements — and promises — made by House members 21 years ago:
“We cannot do anything…unless we turn our economy around. It is that simple. We need to revitalize our economy. We must get our economy growing again but before we expand we have to maintain. For example, you would not add a second story to a house if the foundation were weak. Before we grow our economy we make sure the foundation is firm. Our economy’s foundation is the Covenant. We must shore up our economic foundation by defending the Covenant from neocolonialists in Washington, D.C. With a secure foundation, we can build as high as our imagination and spirit will allow. I think we need to implement a number of specific proposals to jumpstart our economy including reforming business licensing and permitting processes to make them more efficient, creating tax incentives to encourage new industries that are less labor intensive and that will help diversify the economy. Forming public/private partnerships to market our economic advantages to potential investors and business and working with the U.S. Congress to make certain our islands get their fair share of federal assistance including grants and business programs. We have to do all these things and more and we need to get moving now…. [W]e have the power to make things better. Yes, all is not well in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. All of us know we have a very serious financial problem — the economy. And we don’t need to keep reminding ourselves that we have a problem. We need to work together as public servants to solve this very serious problem that will sooner than later destroy the livelihood of the people of the CNMI especially the poor people in the Commonwealth.” – Speaker Benigno R. Fitial
“Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with our new members…especially our new and younger members. I’d like to think that our youths are more open-minded. Open minded to cooperation beyond party lines. Open minded to the real and common goal of making positive changes to our islands. Open minded to think outside the box beyond conventional wisdom…. [T]he election is over. I see an opportunity for the members of the Fourteenth Legislature to show our people that we can work together despite the differing political affiliations. After all, that’s all our people ask. Another significant challenge for the Fourteenth Legislature will be to balance our meager resources with the needs associated with rendering public service. The business sector and the people have all been heard saying the government needs to live within its means. Trim the fat. Control your expenditures. It is the Legislature with emphasis on the House of the Representatives that is primarily responsible for passing a balanced budget.” – Rep. Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero
“Mr. Speaker and my fellow colleagues, we must focus our agenda in improving our ailing economy. We must invite the Executive Branch and our business community to join us in brainstorming sessions to address this economic downfall problem. Through this partnership, I’m optimistic that positive results will occur. With this in mind, I see greater power in rescinding the austerity measure, I see additional funding for our public health services, our Public School System, our public safety, our scholarship [program], our Northern Marianas College, our Medical Referral Program, our employees’ salaries and other viable projects and programs.” – Rep. Jesus T. Attao
“Today marks a beginning of a new Legislature, the Fourteenth CNMI Legislature, tasked with [an] enormous challenge and responsibility under the watchful eyes of the people of the CNMI. Mr. Speaker and my dear colleagues, I am a strong believer that a good beginning will have a good ending. Our major task is to improve the economy, invest in the education of our children, protect our environment and provide essential public service to the people. To achieve these, we must all work together as a unified body and not as a political party. [P]olitics slow[s] down the businesses of the people and make progress unachievable. The people have spoken. They made their choice and now they want us to roll our sleeves and start working for them. I ask that we pledge ourselves to do just that.” – Rep. Jesus SN Lizama
“[W]e have to deal with many problems that we are faced with. We need to settle our obligations with CUC, Retirement Fund and…vendors. We must meet the needs of PSS and the Medical Referral Program. We need to finance DPS so that the public will feel more secured. We also need to think of the public servants that have yet to receive their pay raises as long as six years and meet rising prices of goods, and yes, we have to address even the needs of the businesses. There are more problems that we need to deal with; however, our funds [are] very…limited. So what should we do? Should we reduce government expense? Yes, I would want to do that but what government expense should we cut — personnel costs? To be honest, I want to get reelected [but] doing that…would certainly prevent my return. Should we increase the revenue collection now? Why don’t we put our effort on that first, as it is less painful of the two choices?” – Rep. Norman S. Palacios
“Today is not a victory of party but it’s a celebration of our people for bringing us back to office to work for them to improve their quality of life, to safeguard their interests and to make this Commonwealth a great Commonwealth. The next two years are not going to be easy with the meager resources we have. I am confident, however, that this Legislature will try and work together with the Administration to find resources for medical needs, for education, and for projects and the improvement of existing infrastructure for the safety of our people. Mr. Speaker, I am ready to work with this leadership and I assure you that I will support any legislation that will benefit the people of the Commonwealth.” – Rep. David M. Apatang
“Against a backdrop of a static and shrinking economy, we in the Fourteenth Legislature are faced with daunting challenges. Accomplishing more with less will indeed be a formidable task. It will take innovative ideas and ways, but mostly, it will take political will and political fortitude if we are to meet these challenges. Some of the issues and problems that we, in this House, will be looking to address are the stagnant state of our economy, the perennial degradation of our marine environment, the inadequate health insurance, the need to fund and accelerate infrastructure development in our Commonwealth, the need to reform our labor and immigration system, inadequate funding of our educational system, etc., etc. And while there is no question that many of us, if not all of us, will be proposing many ideas in the form of legislation attempting to address the issues, we must always ensure that we work towards a long-term solution. We must also be mindful that whatever we propose must be towards tangible results for the benefit of our people and we must forge policies that truly benefit the Commonwealth.” – Rep. Arnold I. Palacios
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