Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

FSM Congress News, January 22, 2004

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): January 22, 2004 –
Members of Congress agreed today to hold a congressional
session in the State of Yap in a later date to be decided. The resolution
was unanimously adopted by a heavy and loud voice vote. Senator Figir of
Yap introduced the resolution. Congress also adopted a resolution approving
a grant to the FSM from the United States Centers of Disease Control and
Prevention for public health preparedness and response to bio-terrorism.

The grant is for $488,522 for the first year. FSM is set to receive
$778,415 during the second year with a separate $703,671 provided for the
use of hospital preparedness in the FSM, according to the committee report.
The report stated that more funds would be forth coming at a later date.

Congress again discussed the issues surrounding the College of
Micronesia-FSM raised in yesterday’s plenary. Senator Resio Moses of
Pohnpei, Chairman of the Committee on Health, Education and Social Affairs,
which has jurisdictions over the College spoke in response to those concerns
raised. Regarding the alleged violation of the immigration moratorium when
hiring alien workers by the college, Moses said the employees were hired
legally and had to be hired from outside because it is hard to find local
people who qualify for the jobs. As for the issues surrounding the campus in
Chuuk, the senator asked Members of Congress and the President to help
officials of the college find ways to resolve the problems which have been
there for quite a while. Senator Moses disagrees with the decision made by
the Board to raise tuition, which he believes discourages student enrollment
at the college.

Among the resolutions and bills introduced yesterday were few expression of
profound gratitude and sincere appreciation of the Thirteenth Congress of
the FSM to the Honorable Members of the United States Congress, their
spouses and staff, who were members of the U.S. Congressional Delegation
visiting the FSM for blessing our island nation by their visit. Also one
resolution would create a congressional special committee to investigate
alleged conduct on the part of members of the executive branch of the FSM
Government and one would request that the President direct the Secretary of
the Department of Justice to investigate the facts and circumstances
surrounding the purchase of real property in Chuuk State by the College of
Micronesia-FSM. Other resolutions concern nominations to the Board of
Directors for the National Oceanic Resources Management Authority (NORMA),
which included Francis Itimai of Yap, Hubert Yamada of Pohnpei, and Johnny
Meippen of Chuuk. The bills were to appropriate an additional $16,341,272
to fund the 3rd and 4th quarter of the fiscal
year 2004 of the national government and to bring the FSM’s Internal
Budget and Finance Procedures into compliance with the amended Compact.

Finally, Congress, through another resolution, plans to extend its 10-day
special session for seven additional days.