The governor said it is very important to celebrate this day and to appreciate “what we have here in the CNMI as part of the U.S.”
It was on Nov. 3, 1986 when President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation to “welcome the [CNMI] into the American family and congratulate our new fellow citizens.”
The governor said the people of the CNMI are also very thankful for the assistance provided by their federal government amid the global pandemic.
“We are thankful for what we have despite of all the struggles we’re going through as we all work together as one community,” he added.
Former Military and Veterans Affairs Office Director Vincent Castro Camacho, a Democrat running for a House seat in Precinct 3, said Citizenship Day also means exercising one’s constitutional rights, and freedom to choose and to speak.
He said if people truly understand their rights, they will not be easily oppressed or intimidated.
“So I hope that on Citizenship Day people also think about their rights as U.S. citizens so they will do what they are supposed to do without feeling pressured to do so,” Camacho said.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, third left, with his brother, Republican Party Precinct 1 Chairman Joaquin DLG Torres, second left, former Lt. Gov. Diego Benavente, second right, former Speaker Joseph Deleon Guerrero, left, and Legislative Bureau Director Antonio Sablan, right at the GOP canopy near Dandan Middle School. Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
Former Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente said Citizenship Day “was the day when we became citizens of the best nation in the world, the United States of America.”
Former Sen. Thomas P. Villagomez said in celebrating Citizenship Day, the local people should “exercise their rights” which include “enjoying life.”
Former Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero said that when people celebrate Citizenship Day, they are celebrating one of the fundamental rights of being members of a free and democratic society, and that is the right to choose their leaders and to participate in their government affairs.
Former Sen. Ray N. Yumul said as U.S. citizens, the people of the CNMI “receive a lot of benefits and protection from the U.S., and that includes its justice system and democratic system. So being a citizen of the U.S. means a lot.”
For his part, Republican Rep. Marco T. Peter, who is seeking re-election in Precinct 3, said on Citizenship Day, people must remember that being part of the “free world” is something to appreciate.
“I believe our CNMI residents have to continue to respect the fact that the U.S. is here to protect us, and we also must respect the fact that this part of the world is very important to the U.S.,” Peter said.
Legislative Bureau Director Antonio P. Sablan said it is also important to realize that because the CNMI is part of the U.S., the local people have the opportunity to support the political party “that has been helping us in our battle against the pandemic and its economic impact.”
He added, “That is why we should take the time to come out and support those who are running under the Republican Party because we believe it is important that the party maintains its legislative majority and continue with our recovery efforts.”
