An individual who is very popular among the populace in the island community but does not possess the necessary background or administrative wherewithal to handle all of the important responsibilities of the office and the position of CNMI representative will be problematic in Washington, D.C. with U.S. elected officials simply because they are without the necessary credentials and knowledge to effectively deal and communicate with them. Having an unqualified Washington representative will not be beneficial for either the CNMI or the U.S. And right now, the CNMI needs a qualified representative who will work consistently towards benefiting and improving the quality of life for all the people and not just a select few.
There are several candidates who have made the decision to throw their hat into ring to represent the CNMI in Washington, D.C. Out of all the candidates who have taken out papers for the elected position, there is one individual who I believe is eminently qualified to do a progressive and effective job in terms of communicating and demonstrating the needs of the island community in Washington D.C. The individual that I am referring to is Juan Tudela Lizama, a retired CNMI Superior Court judge.
Juan Lizama was born and raised in the CNMI. He excelled in academics as a young man and was admitted to an undergraduate university in the mainland. Several years later he accomplished a master of public administration at the same university he was an undergraduate. Subsequent to completing the masters, he went back to the CNMI and worked for several years. He then went on to law school and was successful with earning a law degree. Upon completion of the degree, he went back to the CNMI and practiced law as private attorney. His appointment to the bench to provide the island community with public service as a judge came shortly thereafter.
I have known Judge Lizama since my undergraduate years. His strong character and sincerity in terms of giving back to the community what he was fortunate to have earned in terms of formal education places him in a special category. Because he is community-minded and not self-serving, I am certain he will not let the island community down in Washington, D.C. in terms of bringing about change that will help and not hinder the quality of life for all.
One of the most outstanding attributes about Judge Lizama is that he is fair and objective. Throughout his entire life as a public servant he has always strived to make the right decisions void of politics and/or special interests. How many elected officials do you know possess those characteristics?
The island community in the Northern Marianas deserves to have in Washington D.C. a qualified leader who has all the credentials, experience, and knowledge to perform the job effectively. Moreover, they need someone who places the community first and will support wholeheartedly the people’s needs and be professionally forthright in terms of working with the U.S. Congress and government agencies, as well as developing a mutually respectful relationship that will inevitably help both the island community and the U.S.
DR. JESUS D. CAMACHO
Delano, California
