Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

Congress Expressed Sadness

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): October 30, 2002 –
Members of Congress expressed, October 30, sadness and
condolences, through a resolution unanimously adopted by all 14 of them, at
the passing of United States Congresswoman, the Honorable Patsy T. Mink.

The late Congresswoman, from the State of Hawaii, was a devoted friend to
the people of Micronesia and an advocate for the needs of the people of
Micronesia.

Senator Resio S. Moses voted a conflict of interest on a bill concerning
entry permits for lawful spouses of FSM citizens. The senator who is
married to an U.S. citizen stated in his statement of conflict that he could
not vote for something that he or his family could benefit from. The senator
voted abstention when ruled by the speaker to cast his vote.

The bill, No. 12-101, passed 1st Reading. It would provide that a spousal
permit would not be revoked or denied automatically when the relevant
parties are divorced or irreconcilably separated or the citizen spouse dies.

Congress plans to hold session on Monday, November 4. Congress will meet
for a morning session and then a break or recess. During the break, the
negotiation teams from both United States and Federated States would come in
and initial the compact documents, which have been negotiated for a long
while. After the initialing, Congress would come back to session and invite
President Leo A. Falcam to address Congress and the people of the Federated
States of Micronesia on the state of the National Union.

The address will be lived throughout the four states radio stations. The
general public is invited to observe these proceedings at the Congress
chamber in Palikir, Pohnpei State.

Mr. Haser Hainrick’s qualifications for the position President Leo A.
Falcam offered him was discussed today by the Ways and Means Committee and
officials of the Public Auditor’s Office. Mr. Hainrick was nominated to
fill the position of FSM Public Auditor, a position that has been vacant
since Mr. Rensley Sigrah left to become the governor of the State of Kosrae,
almost 4 years ago.

The salary of the Public Auditor and the need to have a Certified Public
Auditor (CPA) to head the office was the center of discussion during the
hearing.

Mr. Hainrick used to work at the office and left to work at the FSM
Development Bank a few years back. Members of the committee asked the
reasons for Mr. Hainrick’s consideration of the offer and noting the new
salary increase, asked why he thinks he is qualified for the position.

Mr. Hainrick stated that the salary was not his major reason for accepting
the offer. He said the challenges and excitement of the work of the office
persuaded his decisions, especially at this time when the amount of work
would be increase under the compact. Hainrick further stated that the work
of the head of the office takes more than just a CPA. It takes a person who
has multiple skills, which would include auditing, accounting, management,
and human resources to work with others as a team.

Congress will re convene October 31, at 10:00 a.m.