FSM observes Constitution Day

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FSM observes Constitution Day

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Services): May 9, 2005 – On May 10 2005, the Federated State of Micronesia will commemorate the 26^th year of its Constitution.

Drafted in 1975 by the Micronesian Constitutional Convention, the Constitution was ratified three years later by voters from, Kusaie, Ponape, Truk and Yap. The ratification by these four Micronesian districts recognized their sovereign right to form the Federated States of Micronesia with the FSM Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

The FSM Constitution entered into force the following year – May 10, 1979.

President Joseph J. Urusemal has issued a message in commemoration of the FSM Constitution Day 2005:

My fellow citizens,

On this 26^th Anniversary of our Constitution, Vice President Killion and I wish to extend our personal greetings and special respect to our traditional leaders, government officials, church and community leaders, and to you, my fellow citizens of the Federated State of Micronesia.

May I also extend the same to our development partners and friends of the FSM throughout the Nation.

Today is an important day, and we do deserve to celebrate for having reached this far in our history as a constitutional government.

This Constitution Day marks another historic milestone in our desire to live and work together as a people. It is a testament that despite the vast distances separating us, our cultural differences, customs and traditions, and the challenges and shortcomings we have as a nation, we remain united and respectful of each other.

On this day, we can all celebrate this important accomplishment and be proud that we keep faith with our Constitution and our democracy remains strong. It is an achievement that each of us contributed in our own ways to its making no matter who you are and what you do as a member of your community. Indeed, the celebration of our Constitution is a celebration of our way of life as guaranteed under the Constitution. We have been blessed and endowed as a people, and we can be thankful for our constitutional inheritance.

But saying that we are a fortunate people is not to say that we can rest on our accomplishments. Much work lies ahead as we continue to build a Nation of four states, with tolerance and respect for our differences and similarities.

While we are grateful for the assistance given to us by our foreign friends and partners, it is our resources and our resourcefulness as a people that will be even more needed in the days ahead.

And so, in thanksgiving for what we have achieved together under our Constitution, we can resolve to rise to the challenges bestowed upon us by the same Constitution to further translate its provisions into practical gains for all of us. This, my fellow citizens, will require nothing less than our good sense of unity and purpose as a nation and as a people.

God Bless you all, and God bless our great nation.