Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

15th Congress adjourns Third Regular Session

Session adopts Resolutions on nominations and financial assistances

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): March 4, 2008 – The Third Regular Session of the 15th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia adjourned sine-die on Saturday – February 23 2008, following the confirmation of various executive nominations and passage of pressing bills and resolutions.

As a session predominantly on nominations, the Third Regular Session had confirmed President Manny Mori’s candidates for various top positions within the national government and several posts for FSM’s overseas missions. The confirmed nominations included:

  • Congressional Resolution (CR) 15-57, Maketo Robert – Secretary of the Department of Justice;

  • CR no. 15-77, John Fritz – FSM Ambassador to Japan;

  • CR no. 15-78, Dr. Rufino Mauricio – Director of the Office of National Archives, Culture and Historic Preservation;

  • CR no. 15-79, Yosiwo P. George – FSM Ambassador to the United States of America;

  • CR no. 15-80, Kimeuo Kimiuo – National Elections Director;

  • CR no. 15-83, Midion G. Neth – Postmaster General;

  • CR no. 15-84, Peter M. Christian – Secretary of the Department of Resources & Development; and

  • CR no. 15-101, Francis I. Itimai – Secretary of the Department of Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure;

Several nominations however, fell short of the required votes for passage. Those that did not make it included:

  • Ismael Dobich (CR 15-82) for Deputy Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs;

  • Casiano Shoniber (CR 15-91) for Secretary of the Department of Education; and

  • Gideon Kikku (CR 15-99) for the National Election Commissioner for Chuuk.

On the Shoniber resolution Congress had on its last day of session adopted a resolution (CR 15-110) to authorize the resubmission of the nomination of Shoniber for the Secretary of the Department of Education.

Congress had also received the Executive’s nominations for board members for the various national agencies and organizations. The Third Regular Session did not however take action on those nominations.

Other resolutions adopted during the Third Regular Session included:

  • CR 15-86, ratifying an agreement between the FSM and the People’s Republic of China for a gratuitous grant of 4 million RMB for assistance towards the FSM Embassy in China;

  • CR 15-88, acknowledging a gratuitous grant contribution from the People’s Republic of China for $1,000,000.00 (USD) for the FSM Trust Fund;

  • CR 15-89, ratifying of an agreement between the FSM and the People’s Republic of China for an Economic and Technical Cooperation Grant Aid of $20,000,000 RMB towards projects agreed upon by both governments;

  • CR 15-106, approving of the agreement for foreign fishing vessels between the National Oceanic Resource Management Agency (NORMA) and the National Fisheries Corporation (NFC);

  • CR 15-107, expressing the sadness of Congress for the untimely passing of Mr. Wilton Mackwelung with recognitions for his years of service to the people and Government of FSM;

  • CR 15-109, inviting the President of the FSM to deliver a State of the Federation address in Spring 2008;

  • CR 15-110, authorizing the resubmission of the nomination for Casiano Shoniber for the position of Secretary of the Department of Education; and

  • CR 15-111, expressing the gratitude of the Congress to Bethwel Henry for his years of dedicated service to the people and government of the Federated States of Micronesia.

These are the Congressional Resolutions adopted during the Third Regular Session of the 15th FSM Congress held from February 4th through the 23rd 2008.