Speaker Isaac V. Figir convened the morning’s session with a special order of business to address the seating of Senator Christian.
Figir proceeded to appoint a Credential Committee chaired by Sen. Peter Sitan with members comprised of Sens. Dion G. Neth, Joseph J. Urusemal and Paliknoa K. Welly.
The session went into recess to allow the committee time to fulfill its assigned mandate.
Accordingly, the session reconvened after the committee emerged from behind closed doors where Christian’s credentials were carefully reviewed and considered.
Sitan reported that Christian possessed full qualifications for and is eligible to be a member of the FSM Congress and with that the report was adopted.
Christian took the floor for the oath of office with his wife Mauriana W. Christian at his side with the Bible.
Associate Justice Dennis K. Yamase administered the oath to the new senator who promised, to the best of his ability, “to uphold, promote and support the laws and Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia.”
The oath of office concluded the morning’s special order of business and Congress resumed its regular order of business with the newly seated member delivering a short statement that expressed collective appreciation from him and his family to the citizens of Pohnpei and to the nation in general.
As a session called by the administration, Figir appointed a committee to meet with President Emanuel “Manny” Mori for details of his call.
The Committee to Wait on the President is chaired by Sen. Claude H. Phillip with Sens. Peter M. Christian, Roger S. Mori and Joseph J. Urusemal as members.
Witnessing the morning’s proceedings were high level dignitaries from the national, state and municipal governments along with the diplomatic community and interested citizens.
