Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

FSM Congress News, May 13, 2003

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): May 13, 2003 –
Today Speaker Peter M. Christian declared the vacant
positions after President Joseph J. Urusemal and Vice President Redley
Killion left to begin their rolls in their new offices at the Executive
Branch.

Within 50 days after the declaration, the Director of Elections for the FSM
would prepare for a special election to be held in the states of Chuuk and Yap.

Speaker Christian assigned to the Committee on Ways and Means and the
relevant committees this morning Presidential Communication No. 13- 1, which
discusses the proposed budget for the National Government, its agencies and
programs for fiscal year 2004. The speaker informed the chairman of the
committee, Senator Sabino Asor that he expects to see reports of the
committee’s work after two weeks.

Senator Resio Moses introduced the first bill of the 13th Congress, which
pertains to residential home for the President. The bill, C.B. No. 13-1,
would appropriate $250,000 for the design, engineering, and construction of
a permanent “official residence” for the President of the Federated States
of Micronesia, which may be located in Palikir, Pohnpei on the grounds of
the capital of the FSM.

Senator Dohsis Halbert thinks the matter brought up by Senator Moses should
be discussed in a setting where the Pohnpei State government should be
involved.

Also discussed during the 20 minutes session was the replacements of the
expired members of the JCN. Senator Sabino Asor took over the position of
the out going Speaker Jack Fritz, Vice Speaker Claude H. Phillip took over
out going Senator Jacob Nena’s position and Senator Isaac Figir has been
appointed as the replacement of President Joseph J. Urusemal.

Floor Leader Henry C. Asugar urged President Urusemal to work on his
cabinet so the government could move forward in a smooth manner while
Speaker Peter Christian urged the committees to organized. Floor Leader
Asugar also suggested that someone looks into vacancies created on the JCN
by cabinet members who are in the process of submitting their courtesy
resignations to the new President.

Congress took to recess at 10:50 a.m. and will reconvene tomorrow at 10:00
a.m.