Thanks also go to Ray Dela Cruz, Mayor of the Municipality of Tinian and Aguiguan, Senator Jude Hofschneider, Chairman of the Tinian Legislative Delegation, Patrick Manglona, Chairman of the Tinian Municipal Council and the staff at the Mayor of Tinian’s Office. Again, without their full support the Manhattan Project Symposium and Memorial Ceremony would not have been successful.
Similarly, the project could not have been successful without the support of the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino, IT&E, Northern Marianas College and the Marianas Visitors Authority.
A word of gratitude must also go to Dr. Roger Meade, John Coster-Mullen, Nancy Bartlit, James Peterson, Professor Andy Giles, General Howie Chandler, Vice Chairman United States Air Force, and Major General Douglas Owens, Vice Chief of Staff, Pacific Air Forces, for taking time away from their busy schedules to visit Tinian and participate in the conference. Again, without their participation, the symposium and memorial ceremony would not have been successful.
I would be remiss if I did not also acknowledge CNMI Delegate to Congress Gregorio “Kilili” Sablan for not only participating in the conference, but also recognizing the need for action to mitigate the impact of the military buildup on Tinian. The final environmental impact study on the Marianas Islands Range Complex makes it clear that the North Field Historic Landmark will be closed several times per year for military exercises. During those closures, visitors to Tinian will not be allowed to see the Atomic Bomb Pits at North Field or other sites within the National Historic Landmark boundaries. As a result, Congressman Kilili introduced into the U.S. Congress H.R. 6380, which authorizes “the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the National Park Service, to establish an annex in Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as an extension of the American Memorial Park located in Saipan.”
This Tinian Annex will not only provide visitors to Tinian with a high quality visitors center to represent the reality of North Field when the NHL is closed to the public, but will also become a major tourist attraction for visitors to Tinian and save the Commonwealth millions of dollars that would have to be spent providing and maintaining a similar facility at local expense.
Again, my thanks to the Humanities Council for the award and to the Tinian and CNMI leadership for their support.
DON A. FARRELL
Marpo Heights, Tinian
