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Babauta to tackle 4 issues in DC
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Posted on May 25 2004
Plans to establish a regional pediatric center in the Commonwealth that would serve the entire Micronesia could become a reality when Gov. Juan N. Babauta takes up the issue with the U.S. House of Representatives later this month.
Babauta, who would be leaving for Washington D.C. on May 30, hopes to complete four major tasks during his visit including discussion on plans to make the CNMI a pediatric center.
Also, the governor said his meeting with Rep. Dan Burton, chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Government Reforms-Subcommittee on wellness and human rights, would also discuss issues on diabetes control and other health related concerns of the Commonwealth.
But foremost of these would be his meeting with Burton to hand over the list of stateless individuals in the Commonwealth.
“We are arranging a series of meetings with members of the U.S. Congress and the administration and Cabinet members to tackle issues affecting the CNMI. We would discuss with them the taxes claimed by federal government, which should be returned to us. I cannot speak more about that. It is being worked on right now,” said the governor.
Also, the governor would discuss plans on the creation of the CNMI National Guard, the nonvoting delegation issue, and funding assistance for the Veteran’s Cemetery.
The governor is also expected to attend a ceremonial dedication of the World War II Memorial in honor of the men and women who fought in the World War II to free Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The governor would also pay his respects to Eddie Chen, the Saipan soldier who was killed in Iraq.
Babauta said his travel to the nation’s capital is in part to push through plans to help more than 200 stateless individuals in the Commonwealth. He would discuss with Burton the comprehensive and accurate list of qualified individuals that must be included in the proposed legislation.
Based on records, individuals who are eligible to register as “stateless persons” are those who were born and raised in the Commonwealth between Jan. 1, 1974, and Nov. 4, 1986, whose parents are nonresident aliens. As such, they were not granted U.S. citizenship.
