Kilili welcomes Congressional Delegation to NMI

Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan and a group of seven other Members of Congress arrive on Saipan today. The delegation, led by Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA), has also stopped in Australia and New Zealand for talks on the free-trade Trans-Pacific Partnership, energy development, and the realignment of U.S. forces in the Western Pacific. Governor Eloy Inos hosts a dinner for the Congressmen Sunday evening and has invited various representatives of the community at large to attend. Monday morning the delegation will help cut the ribbon at opening ceremonies for the new Garapan Public Market.

Congressman Sablan thanked the Governor for his hospitality and noted “this is certainly the most important congressional group to visit the Northern Marianas at one time.

“In addition to Chairman Hastings we have a second full committee Chairman, Frank Lucas, who steers the Agriculture Committee. And we are welcoming Chairman Jack Kingston, the third-ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of its Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

“Also with us are Chairman John Fleming, who heads up the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs, Doug Lamborn, who chairs the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, Richard Hudson, Chairman of the Transportation Security Subcommittee,  and Rob Woodall, Chairman of Rules Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process.

 “I am very grateful that these Members accepted my invitation and took the time from their very busy schedules to visit the Northern Marianas and learn about the work we are all doing to grow our economy and improve life for everyone in our islands,” Sablan said.

Will attend Garapan Public Market ribbon cutting

On Monday morning at 8:30, Congressman Sablan and the rest of the Hastings delegation will join Governor Eloy Inos for ceremonies marking the opening of the Garapan Public Market.

The Market will be a location for local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen to make their produce available seven days a week. With refrigeration and other facilities to keep food fresh and attractive the Market will give consumer greater opportunity to find nutritious, homegrown foods for their households. And tourists will have one more destination where they can get a taste of island life.

Funding for the project was a $200,000 earmark that Congressman Sablan obtained during his first year in Congress. Sablan got $1.35 million in earmarked funds specifically for the Northern Marianas that year, but it was also the last year that earmarks were permitted.

 “The Garapan Public Market was just an idea for years, because there was no funding. Now, because of the earmark I pushed through, we have a place that will help grow our agricultural and fishing economy, add to our tourism, and help us all be a little healthier by eating fresh, local foods.

“I’d say that is a pretty good return on a $200,000 investment.”

Sablan also recognized the work that the CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources did to put his earmark to use.

“Getting the money was really just the first step. And the money sat unused for a number of years. But when Secretary Arnold Palacios came in – and with a lot of work from DLNR staff at the eleventh hour putting the paperwork together – the project started to move.”

The Market has also led to the formation of a new CNMI Farmers Cooperative Association, which could mean greater cooperation and coordination among farmers.

“It will be good to see a grassroots organization from our community running this Market and making it successful,” Congressman Sablan said. “I look forward to shopping there.”

The congressional delegation heads back to Washington shortly after the Garapan Public Market event.