“I am pleased that, for the first time ever, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands will have a delegate in the House of Representatives. I also look forward to working with the new resident commissioner from Puerto Rico as we continue to engage in a process of political self-determination for that commonwealth,” said Rahall, D-W.V., in his speech after the House Democratic Caucus chose him to continue leading the committee.
Gregorio C. Sablan, the former executive director of the Commonwealth Election Commission who served for two terms as local lawmaker, won the first congressional election of the CNMI.
Sablan is expected to return this week from Washington, D.C. where he attended the five-day orientation briefing for freshmen lawmakers in the U.S. Congress.
During his trip in the nation’s capital, Sablan met with California Congressman George Miller, Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo and some key congressional staff members.
Rahall, one of the most respected and longest serving Democrats in the U.S. Congress, said Northern Marianas, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, have always been an integral part of the nation’s democratic growth for more than a century.
Currently, these insular areas are home to approximately more than 4 million U.S. citizens.
Rahall said as America faces its economic crisis, empowering its territories is more important than ever.
“This unique relationship between the U.S. and her territories engenders a duty to ensure and effectuate federal policies that are mindful of insular needs and the challenges that encumber development,” he said.
“As a nation, we have a responsibility to foster sustainable development; providing a path for energy independence, improving infrastructure, responding to economic challenges, and promoting self-government,” he added.
Rahall noted the deliberate action to provide a path for political self-determination for Puerto Rico that was discussed during the 110th U.S. Congress would still be on their agenda.
“We intend to, again, engage in this process for Puerto Rico and, when appropriate, work to provide a clear direction for all of her sister territories,” he said.
The Natural Resources Committee vowed to continue its work protecting the nation’s environment and natural resources while at the same time finding solutions to its growing energy crisis.
“We can, and we will, enhance America’s energy security by drilling for oil and natural gas on federal lands and waters. But we must demand that this be done in an environmentally and fiscally responsible manner,” said Rahall.
“The hemorrhaging of money owed to the American people by the oil industry for the privilege of drilling on these lands and in these waters must stop. Working with the new Administration, I look forward to tackling the gross mismanagement and malfeasance which today permeates through the federal oil and gas royalty system,” he added.
