Tinian and Aguiguan named WW II Heritage City

The Municipality of Tinian and Aguiguan has been designated as among the eight communities across the United States as American World War II Heritage Cities, according to Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP) over the weekend.

Sablan also disclosed in his e-kilili newsletter that $27.1 million in emergency funding for the CNMI’s Medicaid program was included in a package of bills that the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce marked up Wednesday.

He said the National Park Service announced Tuesday the designation of the Municipality of Tinian and Aguiguan and seven other communities as American World War II Heritage Cities.

The seven other newly designated jurisdictions are Calhoun and Ouachita Counties in Arkansas, Plymouth Township in Michigan, Valley City in North Dakota, Ponca City and Kay County in Oklahoma, North Kingstown in Rhode Island, Sumpter City and County in South Carolina, and Ogden in Utah.

Sablan said the recognition honors the contributions of American towns, cities, counties, and their citizens, who played a significant role in supporting America’s war effort during World War II.

The delegate said Tinian was converted into the largest airbase in the world after its capture by U.S. forces in 1944.

In August 1945, two U.S. bombers flying out of Tinian dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, ending the war.

Sablan said the Tinian and Aguiguan Municipality is among eight newly designated jurisdictions to join the 30 other localities already recognized.

He said the American World War II Heritage Cities Program was established by Congress in 2019 through the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act allowing the Secretary of the Interior to designate one city from each state and territory as an “American World War II Heritage City” to recognize noteworthy contributions of local communities during World War II.

National Park Service director Chuck Sams said World War II not only impacted those who went to war, but also those who carried on the life and work of the home front.

“It’s important we remember that cities and towns both big and small made major contributions at home to the war effort, all of which helped Allied forces defeat the Axis powers,” Sams said.

Only one American WW II Heritage City can be designated in each state or territory.

Sams said although the program’s enabling legislation references “cities,” other types of local jurisdictions (countries, towns, townships, etc.) are also eligible for this recognition.

Regarding the emergency Medicaid funding, Sablan said this $27.1 million funding would erase the debt owed the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. and other providers from 2022 and 2023, so Medicaid would start Fiscal Year 2025 with a clean slate.

Sablan expressed gratitude to House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) for their bipartisan leadership and partnership on this important matter.

He also thanked Marianas Medicaid Agency, Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, and the National Association of Medicaid Directors “for their tireless advocacy.”

Sablan said he stands ready to work with his colleagues as the bill advances to the full House for consideration.