“We will never forget what the mayors do and the important roles they play in the community,” Sablan said during the gathering at the Saipan mayor’s office in San Antonio attended by the family members of the current and former officials.
Sablan also recognized the accomplishment of the past and present mayors of Tinian, Rota and Northern Islands.
“We have in our own community many success stories. I think it’s fitting to recognize them so our children can look up at them,” he said.
Each of the mayors and the family members of those who have already passed away were given a copy of the U.S. Congressional Record that featured Sablan’s tribute to the mayors of the Northern Marianas.
“We cannot say enough thank you to all of you,” Sablan said.
Last week, he gave copies of the Congressional Record to the past and present mayors of Tinian and Rota.
On Wednesday, he handed the copies to the past and present mayors of the Northern Islands.
“In recent years, mayors of the Northern Islands, Saipan, Tinian and Aguiguan, and Rota have contributed greatly to the quality of life in the Northern Marianas Island. The mayors have participated in the commonwealth-wide street naming project, they have hosted cultural and educational symposia, they have spearheaded the development of public lands and coordinated infrastructure improvement, and, on a daily basis, they coordinate the provision of public services to the residents of their islands,” Sablan said..
The mayors of Saipan, from the war to the present included Gregorio San Nicolas Sablan, Elias Parong Sablan, Ignacio Villagomez Benavente, Vicente Diaz Sablan, Luis Arriola Benaventer, Francico Manibusan Diaz, Jose Santos Rios, Gilbert Castro Ada, Jose Mettao Taitano, Jesus Sablan Guerrero, Jose Camacho Sablan, Juan Borja Tudela and Donald Glenn Flores, the incumbent.
The mayors of the Northern Islands: Daniel Pangelinan Castro, Vicente Matagolai Aldan, Ambrosio Satur Ruben, Joseph Taman Ogumoro, Valentino Igisaiar Taisakan and Tobias Dela Cruz Aldan. Also honored were district administrator representative Juan Mettao and Francisco Borja Kaipat.
The commissioners and mayors of Rota: Carlos Songsong Calvo, Andres Camacho Atalig, Tomas Camacho Mendiola, Melchor Songsong Mendiola, Juan Camacho Diaz, Manuel Ada Manglona, Antonio Camacho Atalig, Prudencio Taisacan Manglona, Joseph Songao Inos, Benjamin Taisacan Manglona and Melchor Atalig Mendiola.
The commissioners and mayors of Tinian and Aguiguan: Jose Manglona Hocog, Juan Cruz Villagomez, Jose Reyes Cruz, Antonio Simabukuru Borja, Henry Gikibai Hofschneider, William Villagomez Hofschneider, Felipe Camacho Mendiola, Herman Muna Manglona, Ignacio King Quichocho, James Masga Mendiola, Francisco Manglona Borja, Jose Pangelinan San Nicolas and Ramon Muna Dela Cruz.
Congressman Sablan personally handed the copy to his father, Jesus Sablan, who represented the first mayor of Saipan, Gregorio San Nicolas Sablan.
“I feel very proud of this,” Jesus Sablan Guerrero said.
Former Mayor Juan Borja Tudela said: “I really appreciate them for doing this. I like to express my big thank you.”
Former Mayor Jose Camacho Sablan said he was “very happy” to see some of the past mayors still in good physical condition.
“I extend my appreciation for Kilili for recognizing the past and present mayors. This is very much appreciated,” Mayor Donald G. Flores said.