The new congressional body will select the leadership of the legislative branch and in addition, as provided for by the Congress Rules of Procedures, during the “first session of each new Congress for which members at-large have been elected,” the nation’s president and vice president will be elected from among the eligible members.
According to the FSM Constitution, Congress members eligible for the presidency and vice presidency are the States’ at-large or four-year representatives to Congress and the eligible members are:
• Chuuk, Emanuel “Manny” Mori (incumbent president);
• Kosrae, Alik L. Alik (incumbent vice president);
• Pohnpei, Peter M. Christian; and
• Yap, Joseph J. Urusemal.
The opening session will also reorganize the leadership of Congress, namely the speaker, vice speaker, floor leaders and decide on the heads and members of the seven congressional standing committees:
1. Ways and Means;
2. Resources and Development;
3. Education;
4. Judiciary and Governmental Operations;
5. External Affairs;
6. Transportation and Communications; and
7. Health and Social Affairs.
Recently seated Chief Justice of the FSM Supreme Court Martin G. Yinug will administer the oath of office to members-elect of the new Congress.
The senators-elect in alphabetical order of the States and numerical order of the Election Districts are:
State of Chuuk
1. Emanuel Mori, At-large
2. Florencio Singkoro Harper, ED.1 (Mortlock Islands);
3. Roger S. Mori, ED. 2 (Northern Namoneas);
4. Bonsiano Fasy Nethon, ED. 3 (Southern Namoneas);
5. Tiwiter Aritos, ED. 4 (Faichuuk Region); and
6. Tony H. Otto, ED. 5 (Halls & Northwestern Islands)
State of Kosrae
7. Alik L. Alik, At-Large
8. Paliknoa K. Welly, ED. 1
State of Pohnpei
9. Peter M. Christian, at-Large;
10. Dohsis Halbert, ED. 1 (Sokehs, Kolonia, Sapwuahfik, Nukuoro and Kapingamarangi);
11. Berney Martin, ED.2 (Madolenihmw and Kitti); and
12. David W. Panuelo, ED 3 (U, Nett, Mwoakilloa and Pingelap)
State of Yap
13. Joseph J. Urusemal, At-Large
14. Isaac V. Figir
Congress invites the general public to witness the historical events or tune in to the live broadcast enabled by the FSM Telecommunications Corporations through the assistance of the Pohnpei Public Broadcasting Corporation.
With the assistance of the FSM TC and Pohnpei Broadcasting, the live event will also be fed to the State radio stations and the internet through the FSM Telecom’s web address: www.fm
