Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Japan Rotarians Contributed to COM-FSM Endowment Fund

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): July 14, 1997 –
In an effort to help young adults of Pohnpei and to show cooperation
among clubs, a delegation of Japanese Rotarians traveled May 28 to
Pohnpei to donate through the Pohnpei club more than $85,000 to the
College of Micronesia-FSM Endowment Fund, according to information
from the U.S. Embassy here in Pohnpei.

Led by District 2750 Governor Kenjiro Nakumura, the four-member
delegation presented a check totaling $85,616.44 to College of
Micronesia President Susan Moses at the Village Hotel during a dinner
hosted by COM-FSM in honor of the delegation and the Pohnpei Rotary
Club.

In a speech during the handing over of the donation, Nakumura said
he called on all clubs in his district to assist their small sister
club in its efforts to develop the young adults of Pohnpei. Because
of his plea, over 2000 Rotary Clubs in Japan contributed to the
endowment fund.

The District Governor became aware of COM-FSM’s Endowment Fund
following a presentation by Pohnpei’s President Charles Hillyer at a
district meeting in Tokyo in April. On behalf of the Pohnpei Rotary
Club, Hillyer appealed to its fellow clubs to assist the college in
meeting its $250,000 goal. When the appeal was made the college was
short of its goal by more than $100,000.

Federated States of Micronesia Vice President Leo A. Falcam, a
guest at the function, said in his speech that among all the
resources of the Federated States of Micronesia, the most important
one to develop is the nation’s human resource. Falcam thanked the
Japanese and Pohnpei Rotary clubs for assisting in this development.

Besides Nakumura, Japanese delegation members traveling to Pohnpei
for the presentation included Masami Takeo, District 2750 Secretary;
Masahiko Ishibashi, Azabu University Professor; and George Baldwin,
Pacific Basin Rotary representative.

Other guests at the function were Iris Falcam, COM-FSM Endowment
Fund Chairperson; Podis Pedrus, COM-FSM Regent; Widel Edwin, COM-FSM
Photographer; Jasmin Gonzales, COM-FSM Administrator; Alily Bualuay
and Brandon Tara, students at COM-FSM; Lorin Robert, FSM Department
of External Affairs; Ben Franklin, Pohnpei State Government; Paul
Delaire, Rotary Club Tumon Bay, Guam; Feiko Fuketa, Japanese Overseas
Cooperative Volunteer; and Pohnpei Rotary Club members.

On July 11, 1997, FSM President Jacob Nena expressed sincere
gratitude to all members of the Rotary International District 2750 in
Tokyo, Japan for their generous support for the COM-FSM Endowment
Fund by making their contribution to the Fund. Not only does your
donation contribute substantially to the future of the College, Nena
says, but it also serves to strengthen the tie between the members of
the Rotary International District 2750 and the federated States of
Micronesia. Thank you for your friendship and your support for the
College of Micronesia-FSM, Nena concluded.