In this issue:
A step towards submerged lands transfer
House passes post office naming bill
Be typhoon ready: Build a kit!
RMI Ambassador Zackios visits
Saipan airport gets $1.6 million
$42,247 for Kagman Community Health Center IT
Veterans History Project community workshop
Opportunities – Federal grants, jobs for/in the Marianas
Highlights in the legislative program
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A step towards submerged lands transfer
Congratulations to Governor Ralph Torres and his team for successfully concluding an agreement with the federal government for management of submerged lands around Uracas, Maug, and Asuncion islands. This should lead to transfer of ownership of the lands to the Commonwealth before President Obama leaves office in January. The President handed over submerged lands and mineral rights around nine of the Mariana Islands in 2014, after I was able to get the necessary authorization enacted in U.S. Public Law 113-34. He withheld transfer of lands around Uracas, Maug, and Asuncion, however, until there was agreement on how to coordinate management of the Commonwealth’s submerged lands there with the surrounding Marianas Trench Marine National Monument. The Governor signed that agreement on Thursday with representatives of the U.S. Departments of Commerce and the Interior, which are responsible for the Monument. Next steps before ownership and mineral rights can be conveyed to the Commonwealth are completion of an environmental assessment and a 60-day congressional review period, which your congressional office will continue to work to expedite.
House passes post office naming bill
Legislation naming the Chalan Kanoa Post Office in honor of Segundo T. Sablan, Saipan’s first U.S. postmaster, and for CNMI Fallen Military Heroes passed the House on Tuesday. I introduced H.R. 5889 in July after consultation with the family of Tun Segundo and with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Saipan Post 3457 Commander Michael Kelley, Senior Vice Commander Matias Chargualaf, and Departmental Quartermaster Peter Callaghan. Their endorsement helped the bill move quickly in the House. It now heads to the Senate for action. In 1951, the Navy appointed Tun Segundo postmaster, a job he held for ten years. Earlier, as a local Marine Scout after the World War II Battle of Saipan, he had helped U.S. forces flush Japanese holdouts from the jungle and caves. The CK post office name will also honor sons and daughters of the Northern Mariana Islands, who have lost their lives in military service, including twenty during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Be typhoon ready: Build a kit!
For week three of National Emergency Preparedness Month the theme is: Build a Kit! A basic emergency kit will help make sure you and your family can get through a typhoon or other disaster and stay safe in the days afterwards. Try to make sure your household has on hand:
Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Manual can opener for food
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
Learn more about how to prepare an emergency kit that meets your needs, and be sure to consider the special needs of the elderly or people with disabilities in your family. Also, sign up for local alerts and download the FEMA mobile app to receive National Weather Service alerts, get safety reminders and survival tips, share photos to help first responders, and more. Visit www.ready.gov for more disaster preparedness tips. Be prepared. Be safe.
Saipan Airport gets $1.6 million
In addition to the $2.5 million discretionary award announced last week, the Commonwealth Ports Authority will receive $1,595,018 in entitlement funding for taxiway rehabilitation at the Francisco C. Ada International Airport on Saipan. The total of $4,095,018 from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Authority will fund rehabilitation of 750 feet of connecting Taxiway B shoulders and 535 feet of Taxiway H. The work is needed to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement. Congratulations to CPA.
$42,247 for Kagman Community Health Center IT
Kagman Community Health Center was awarded $42,247 on September 15 through the Delivery System Health Information Investment Supplemental program run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Kagman is working to upgrade its electronic health records system by replacing modem connections with fiber optics, training staff, customizing electronic health record screens for more efficient recording of notes and patient vitals, and, generally, improving network infrastructure. Congratulations!
Federal Opportunities for/in the Marianas
Biologist – The Department of the Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service, is accepting applications for a Biologist in Saipan. Incumbent will implement policies on detection, prevention, interdiction, control and eradication of Brown Tree Snakes in the Northern Mariana Islands. Position is open until October 3, 2016. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/445847300/.
County Program Technician – The Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency is accepting applications for a County Program Technician in Guam. Incumbent will carry out office activities and functions pertaining to one or more of the farm program areas and farm loan areas administered in Guam. Position is open until October 3, 2016. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/450978100/.
Administrative Support Technician – The Department of the Air Force, Air National Guard is accepting applications for an Administrative Support Technician in Guam. The position’s primary purpose is to serve as the focal point, local authority and expert source for information in providing a wide variety of orderly room/administrative support for the organization. Position is open until October 19, 2016. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/451002100/.
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator – The Department of the Army, National Guard Unit is accepting applications for a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator in Guam. Incumbent will manage and maintain the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program and the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program. Position is open until October 14, 2016. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/450605200/.
IT Specialist (Customer Support) – The Department of the Air Force, Air National Guard is accepting applications for an IT Specialist in Guam. This position is responsible for providing voice, data, wireless, Communications Focal Point and information security services provided to the Air National Guard Wing, supported Geographically Separated Units, and Tenants. Position is open until October 7, 2016. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/450740500/.
Fuel Distribution System Mechanic – The Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Command is accepting applications for a Fuel Distribution System Mechanic in Guam. Incumbent will inspect and test fuel receiving, storage, and distribution facilities; perform ground resistance tests; and modify fuel storage and distribution systems. Position is open until September 30, 2016. For more information, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/450792600/.
Highlights in the Legislative Program
THIS WEEK
On the Floor:
H.R. 5889 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Chalan Kanoa VLG in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, as the "Segundo T. Sablan and CNMI Fallen Military Heroes Post Office Building" (Agreed to by voice vote)
H.R. 670 – Special Needs Trust Fairness and Medicaid Improvement Act (Passed, 383-22)
H.R. 2315 – Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2015 (Agreed to by voice vote)
H.R. 3438 – Require Evaluation Before Implementing Executive Wishlists Act of 2015 or the REVIEW Act of 2015 (Passed, 244-180)
H.R. 4712 – Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act (Agreed to by voice vote)
H.R. 5064 – Improving Small Business Cyber Security Act of 2016 (Agreed to by voice vote)
H.R 5461 – Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act (Passed, 282-143)
H.R. 5719 – Empowering Employees Through Stock Ownership Act (Passed, 287-124)
H.R. 5931 – Prohibiting Future Ransom Payments to Iran Act (Passed, 254-163)
H.R. 5963 – Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing Delinquency Act, as amended (Passed, 382-29)
H.R. 6014 – To allow the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to enter into reimbursable agreements for certain airport projects (Passed, 425-0)
H.Con.Res. 122 – Protection of the Right of Tribes to stop the Export of Cultural and Traditional Patrimony Resolution or the PROTECT Patrimony Resolution (Agreed to by voice vote)
Co-sponsored Legislation:
H.R. 6108 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that certain veterans receive in-patient psychiatric care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
H.Res. 881 – Recognizing the 55th anniversary of the Fulbright-Hays Programs
H.Res.882 – Encouraging the observance of the week beginning on October 9, 2016 as "National Wildlife Refuge Week"
H.Res. 885 – Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Latinos in the United States and the immense contributions of Latinos and Latinas to the United States
NEXT WEEK
On the Floor:
H.R. 845 – National Forest Trails Stewardship Act
H.R. 1877 – Mental Health First Aid Act of 2016
H.R. 3216 – VET Act
H.R. 3537 – Dangerous Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2016
H.R. 5346 – Securing Our Agriculture and Food Act
H.R. 5391 – Gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture Act
H.R. 5392 – No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act
H.R. 5459 – Cyber Preparedness Act of 2016
H.R. 5460 – First Responder Access to Innovative Technologies Act
H.R. 5943 – Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility Act
H.R. 5978 – Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Amendments Act of 2016
H.R. 5303 – Water Resources Development Act of 2016