Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, Rep. Joseph M. Palacios, and some administration officials said this year’s Thanksgiving celebrations may not be as bountiful compared to previous years, “but we are still thankful.”
Palacios, R-Saipan, said there’s not much to be thankful for especially if you’re a government employee whose work hours were cut.
He said this is probably the worst Thanksgiving in CNMI history. He doubts if many people can even afford to have a turkey on their table today.
“I may have something for Thanksgiving but I cannot say I will be okay if I know my constituents out there would not have something on their table,” he said.
He also knows government employees appreciate that they still have a job, “but I don’t think they would say, ‘Thank God that we got pay cuts.’ ”
He added, “There are debts that they have to worry about and some worry about losing homes. They need to cut their expenses in so many ways to make sure they can still get something on the next payday.”
The only thing that he is thankful about is “we’re still alive.”
Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan, said “we should still be thankful.”
She said she is thankful for her family and loved ones and “for being able to survive through these trying times.”
She is also thankful for the leaders of the three branches of the government who continue to look for solutions and try to make life easier for the CNMI people.
“We have to be very thankful that we are still OK,” said Ogumoro.
Rep. Teresita A. Santos, Ind.-Rota, said that amid the commonwealth’s financial hardship, “we should always extend our sincerest gratitude to our gracious and merciful God for sustaining us during these challenging times.”
No matter how adverse the situation may be in the CNMI, Santos said “we all should be thankful to God.”
Quoting the Daily Bread booklet, Santos said “abundance is no guarantee of gratefulness or thanksgiving and prosperity may even turn our hearts away from the Lord.”
She also quoted Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving proclamation in 1863: “The year drawing toward its close has been fulfilled with the blessing of fruitful fruits and healthful skies, to these bounties which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, “
Teresa Kim, legal counsel for acting Gov. Eloy S. Inos, is thankful for her family, husband and children.
Indigenous Affairs Director Ignacio Demapan who, with his wife, is celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary today, said the people, especially government employees, still have jobs event if it means a reduction in their working hours.
People can still have food on the table, he added.
“We should be thankful to the Lord for giving us an opportunity to seek better ways. We should be thankful for everything that came from God: our children and the love and respect from the public,” he said.
Demapan said he is very thankful to God for blessing him with a family and the “rich love” of his four children and 15 grandchildren.
Disability policy programs special assistant Thomas J. Camacho said he is very thankful that he and many others in the government still have jobs despite the reduction in working hours.
“It’s better to have cuts than not to have job at all,” he said, adding that he is also very thankful for his wonderful family.
