Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

(Taken from Saipan Tribune - 10/18-08)

In Their Own Words
What makes you the best candidate for delegate to Congress?

The following are the responses of the Delegate candidates to questions posed by American government teacher Ambrose Bennett. The questions were posed to all nine Delegate candidates. This week, two submitted their responses by the deadline. This is the last part of the series.

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By PETE A. TENORIO
Special to the Saipan Tribune

The following points should be seriously considered by all voters as some of my truly unique attributes applicable to “Why I am the best candidate” to be your Delegate to Congress:

- Seven years have been spent working cordially and productively with members of both Houses of Congress and their staff.

- In addition to working relationships, friendships with members and staff have been developed. This will prove valuable in influencing legislation.

- Administration offices are very familiar. Here again, friendships and working relationships have been cultivated with officials and staff which will be a big asset.

- Considering that this position is only for two years, I am ready to “hit the ground running” to get things done for our people. I will not have to waste a year just learning the ropes.

- The staff of the Resident Representative's office are knowledgeable and experienced in dealing with all aspects of Washington , D.C. politics, both in Congress and the Administration. I hope to be able to bring at least part of this wealth of knowledge into your Delegate office. These staff will also not need a year just to learn what they should be doing.

The Washington Representative's Annual Report details many of the successes and accomplishments I have helped to bring about and of which am extremely proud. Please call my local office for a copy at 664-5651.

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By CHONG MAN WON
Special to the Saipan Tribune

I believe I am the best candidate because I am not politically affiliated. I do not have anyone behind me pulling my strings and telling me what to do. There are people giving me advice and their opinions but at the end of the day, I know which are for their own interest and which are for the people's interest.

There are other candidates who desire to introduce legislation to help the CNMI. This is and always will be a part of the delegate's responsibility. However, this process will take time and in some instances, the entire two years will pass before any action is taken. For example, Representative Donna Christensen of the Virgin Islands introduced legislation in the 108th Congress to amend the Social Security Act to remove the cap on medical payments for Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, CNMI and American Samoa. This bill was introduce on Feb. 11, 2003 and was referred to the subcommittee on health on Feb. 26, 2003, which was the last major action. Again in the 109th Congress, Representative Christensen introduced the same legislation on Jan. 4, 2005, and on Feb. 4, 2005, it was referred to the subcommittee on health. In the 110th Congress, this time Representative Luis Fortuno of Puerto Rico introduced a similar bill to remove the cap medical payments for the insular areas on Jan. 22, 2007, and on Feb. 2, 2007, it was referred to the subcommittee on health. In the 109th Congress, Representative Christensen introduced legislation to convey certain submerge lands to the government of Virgin Islands on Jan. 6, 2005, which was referred to the committee on resources on Jan. 6, 2005. In the 110th Congress, Representative Christensen introduced the same legislation on Jan. 4, 2007, which again was referred to committee on natural resources and referred to subcommittee on insular affairs and on July 9, 2007, committee hearings were held. She also in the 110th Congress introduced a similar bill in June 28, 2007, except the distance requested was changed from 12 miles to 9 miles. This bill was also referred to committee on natural resources then referred to subcommittee on insular affairs. How about Representative Madeleine Bordallo from Guam? She introduced legislation in the 109th Congress to amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include Guam on June 15, 2005, and on June 15, 2005, it was referred to the committee on Judiciary. She again introduced the same legislation on Aug. 7, 2007 and on Sept. 10, 2007 it was referred to the subcommittee on immigration, citizenship, refugees, border security and international law. These are some examples of good intended legislations, out of many, to help their people, that have not been acted on by Congress. Don't get me wrong, we need to introduce legislations but we have to be realistic that it takes time for it to make a difference.

I believe we need to correct our basic necessities such as affordable, reliable and clean drinking water before we move on to other issues. This task is achievable in the next two years, which can benefit the lives of people within our community. There are federal assistances, which are already in place that can help. These are not handouts but programs and assistances other places are taking advantages of. Why should we be left behind? Some example of missed opportunities: On Sept. 8, 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $22.1 million in business development loans and grants for 71 recipients in 37 states and two territories. On Aug 27, 2008, USDA, “announced that 639 individuals and businesses in 43 states and the Virgin Islands have been selected to receive $35 million in grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy systems or to improve energy efficiency in farm and business operations.” On Aug 22, 2008, USDA announced $677 million in loans for new electric lines and system improvements in 19 states. On Aug 15, 2008, USDA announced $547 million in loans and grants to provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems for rural towns and communities. On July 30, 2008, USDA announced $447.5 million in loans to build new distribution lines and make system improvements for 24 rural utilities in 20 states. On May 30, 2008, USDA Rural Development announced that 17 organizations have been selected to receive $19.9 million to help rural residents and businesses become more energy efficient. The funds are being awarded through USDA Rural Development's High Energy Cost Grant program. Among the projects selected this year is a planned wind turbine and control system for the existing diesel generating plant serving the community of Kokhanok, Alaska. The wind diesel system, to be constructed with a $999,227 grant, is expected to save the community an estimated $100,000 a year in fuel costs. Under the USDA there are programs such as Assistance to High Energy Cost Communities, RUS High Energy Cost Grant Program, Rural Business Opportunity Grants and Bulk Fuel Revolving Fund Grant Program, just to name a few. We have to actively research and pursue them. I know people will say we are not eligible under these programs but isn't that the job of the delegate to find out why and how can we be eligible? There are other opportunities resulting from the 2008 Farm Bill and the Energy Independence and Security Act for the CNMI but we cannot just sit and expect that the United Congress will say, “here you go.” These are other programs and grants to help education, health and even farmers and ranchers.

Instead of placing blames, we need to look at how we can help now and how we can better the lives of our people. If we continue to talk and make promises without actions, we will never move forward. Let's not be fooled by promises of fixing every problem in the CNMI because if you try to do 10 to 20 different things at once, we will have 10 to 20 unfinished items. Let's be focused on a few and accomplish them before moving on.

Again, I'd like to close by saying, “Some say he lacks experience but I say experience doesn't guarantee success. Look at where experience has led us. Lack of experience can be a good thing because it makes us ask 'WHY' and 'HOW' instead of 'IT WON'T WORK' and 'I KNOW BETTER'. It can motivate us and motivation leads to hard work and hard work leads to success. Some say he's an outsider but I say my wife (Dora Ulloa Palacios-Won) is local; my kids are local so how can I be an outsider? Please don't judge me for what I am but who I am, a husband, a father, your friend, your neighbor who is willing to make a difference for the betterment of the CNMI. Come this November 4th, I humbly ask for your vote of confidence.