PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): May 12, 2003 –
Congress wrote another page of its history today when it
unanimously Senator Peter M. Christian of Pohnpei as the Speaker of the 13th
Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia. Senator Claude H. Phillip
of Kosrae is the Vice Speaker and Senator Henry C. Asugar of Chuuk was
selected as the Floor Leader. Congress continued to write that page when it
elected the sixth President of the Federated States of Micronesia, His
excellency Joseph J. Urusemal of Yap, and Redley Killion of Chuuk as the
Vice President.
Speaker Christian appointed Senators Dohsis Halbert of Ponpei to chair the
Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations, Sabino S. Asor of Chuuk
the Committee on Ways and Means, Alik L. Alik of Kosrae the Resources and
Development Committee, Isaac Figir of Yap the Committee on External Affairs,
Moses Nelson of Chuuk the Transportation and Communications Committee and
Resio S. Moses of Pohnpei to chair the Committee on Health, Education and
Social Affairs.
FSM Associate Justice Dennis Yamase administered the oath of office to the
members, while Associate Justice Martin Ynug administered the oaths for the
President and Vice President.
The chamber was packed with dignitaries, ambassadors and officials of all
three levels of government, traditional chiefs, church leaders and
interested citizens.
The Kepin Protestant Catholic Youth Organization of Nanponmal sang the
National Anthem and Father Jack Curran delivered the invocation.
The events of the convening day were broadcast live throughout all the four
states via Telecom.
