THE 22nd CNMI Legislature on Tuesday presented U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl L. Schultz with a framed copy of House Joint Resolution 22-7, which honors and commends the U.S. Coast Guard members who serve the Commonwealth under his leadership.
With Admiral Schultz were USCG 14th District Commander Rear Adm. Matthew W. Sibley, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Jason M. Vanderhaden and Military Aide to the Commandant LCDR Christine T. Igisomar, who, Schultz noted, is the highest-ranking Chamorro woman in Coast Guard history. Also with them were USCG Ombudsmen-at-Large Dawn Schultz and Amy Vanderhaden.
Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez and Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider presented Schultz with a framed copy of H.J.R. 22-7.
The joint resolution states that the 22nd Legislature “is proud to acknowledge the United States Coast Guard’s ongoing service to the CNMI.”
It also mentioned the extraordinary heroism of Boatswain’s Mate Second Class David M. Lorange who rescued a young boy from drowning in the waters off Agingan Point on March 19, 1979.
Since its establishment in 1988 to this day, the USCG Marine Safety Detachment Saipan team carries out safety and security inspections on vessels and facilities, provides support for search and rescue and responds to typhoons and oil spills to keep the people of the CNMI safe and protect the seas from environmental harm.
In May 2021, five CNMI residents — Pution Palacios-Camacho, Kyle San Nicolas, Noah Mesa, David Igisomar and Seiji Gonzales —received appointments to the Coast Guard Academy Scholars program. They completed the rigorous application process, which included a full college application, physical fitness test, and comprehensive medical exams to meet high bar for acceptance. They will attend a college preparatory school for one year and, upon completion of the program, will automatically gain an appointment to the Coast Guard Academy of 2026.
H.J.R. 22-7 noted that Admiral Schultz is tasked “to uphold the integrity of the U.S. Coast Guard by safeguarding the American people and promoting national security, border security, and economic prosperity in a complex and evolving maritime environment.”
“On behalf of the CNMI, it is with great pleasure that this august body, representing the people of this grateful territory of the U.S.A, conveys our unequivocal support and gratitude to the remarkable women and men of the U.S. Coast Guard who continue to proudly serve our nation,” the resolution stated.
In his remarks, Admiral Schultz said he and the other ranking officers with him are in the region to visit Coast Guard units, talk to their personnel, learn about the environments in which they work, and meet the partners with whom they engage.
He said the U.S. Coast Guard has 17 active duty members from the CNMI.
He said he is amazed by the region’s support for the U.S. Coast Guard, “demonstrated by the bright and talented young Chamorros and Carolinians joining our service. And it would appear that my Aide Christine is related to most of them. The Coast Guard is truly a family business and strengthening those family ties with [the] CNMI will surely prove mutually beneficial.”
“Thank you, again, for the opportunity to address this forum. And thank you for not just preserving our ‘CNMI-USCG’ relationship, but also for promoting it and celebrating it today. On behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard, I thank you for both your hospitality and support,” Admiral Schultz said.
Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, hands to the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Adm. Karl L. Schultz, a framed copy of House Joint Resolution 22-7 honoring and commending the U.S. Coast Guardsmen who serve the CNMI under Schultz’s leadership, as Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider looks on.
The commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Adm. Karl L.Schultz, USCG 14th District commander Rear Admiral Matthew W. Sibley, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Master Chief Jason M. Vanderhaden and Military Aide to the Commandant LCDR Christine T. Igisomar pose for a photo with the members of the 22nd House.
