PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): March 25, 2004 –
Congress convened today for the start of the 4th Special
Session. Speaker Peter M. Christian appointed Senator Resio Moses, Chairman
of the Committee on Health, Education and Social Affairs, to chair the
Special Committee to Wait on the President. Christian asked the committee
to inform the President that Congress is ready to transact business and to
consider any measures the President wishes for congressional considerations.
Appointed along with Senator Moses on the special committee were Floor
Leader Henry Asugar, Senator Alik Alik, Chairman of the Committee on
Resources and Development and Chairman Isaac Figir of the External Affairs
Committee.
The Ways and Means Committee will hold hearings tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at
the Central Building. The hearings will discuss ways to amend the budget
procedure law in order for the current procedures to be consistent with the
requirements provided under the amended Compact. The committee will also
look into the recent presidential veto of an act that was passed by Congress
during the last session that would have provided $2.8 million for economic
and social development projects throughout the four states in the FSM.
Speaker Christian urged the other committees to review pending measures in
their respective committees and address what they can during this ongoing
session. The speaker informed the Members present during the opening day
that the call was made to review pending measures and to prepare Members
before the March 29-April 2, Third FSM Economic Summit. He expressed his
hope that both the session and the summit will be productive and beneficial
for the nation and its people.
Congress went into recess at 10:30 a.m. and will reconvene April 3, 2004 at
10:00 in the morning.
