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P.O. Box PS 3 Palikir, Pohnpei 96941
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FSM Congress News
Speaker Figir statement : No. 21-08
Monday – May 26, 2008
Speaker
urged commitment to laws and policies
PALIKIR, Pohnpei. May 26, 2008
–
The Fourth Regular Session of the 15th Congress of the Federated
States of Micronesia is in its final week of public hearings with the
departments, offices and agencies of the national government Fiscal Year
2009 Budget.
The
May sessions are traditionally referred to as the Budget Session since it
focuses primarily on the national government budget. As such, since
convening on Monday – May 12, Congress has mostly been in recess to allow
the Congressional Committees time to meet with the various entities of the
national government.
Speaker Isaac V. Figir had during the first week of delivered a statement to
members highlighting the national accomplishments for the past year as “much
for which we can be proud.” He recalled foremost the peaceful election of
the nation’s leadership as an accomplishment that, alone, deserves special
recognition. As a nation of four distant states - each with its own
distinct customs, traditions and language, “the ability to peacefully select
national leaders and to transition from one government to the next is
something for which the people of this great nation should be thankful.
“Not
all nations are so blessed” said Speaker.
Speaker Figir called attention to role of Congress in the Administration’s
reorganization plan and other initiatives. Despite the challenges and
differences that accompany new Administrations, he noted that Congress had
given the Administration its full support. The Administration on the other
hand, extended its support to the initiatives by the Legislative Branch, by
signing into law measures which included: the reform of the national
election laws; making judicial salaries more competitive; modification of
certain immigration regulations regarding surviving spouses, FSM national
and children of FSM nationals along with naturalized citizenships; expansion
of FSM scholarship programs to new vocation.
While each Branch had supported the other in their efforts, Speaker Figir
noted that Congress and the Administration had, together, created the FSM
Petroleum Corporation. According to Speaker’s statement, such
collaborations between the two Branches along with the challenges and
differences are inherent to the process of nation building - a system of
checks and balances.
Speaker Figir expressed to the members that Congress must “have the ability
to disagree… how we react to the disagreement or disappointment will be one
of the measures of the success of this government.” He reminded members
that Congress has always been and will always be, subjected to public
scrutiny for the way it conducts itself, “this is as it should be.
“How
we respond to criticism and suggestions for improvement will be the measure
of this body,” Speaker Figir noted.
The
Speaker concluded his statement with encouragement to the members to promote
and retain the public trust through their own commitment to the principles
of ethical values and adherence to the laws and policies of the nation. –
Full text of Speaker Figir’s statement is available at
congresspio@mail.fm.
Congress, meanwhile, has been in recess to allow the Departments, Offices,
Agencies and the various Boards and Commissions of the National Government
to go through the rigorous public hearing process to defend their proposed
budgets for Fiscal Year 2009 which starts on October 1st, 2008.
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