2005 Liberation Committee opens candidate application

The 2005 Liberation Day Executive Steering Committee is on a fast track, organizing its committees and finalizing this year’s rules and requirements in order to have an early start for the islands’ largest community celebrations.

Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela recently appointed Eloy Inos as committee chair, who graciously accepted the challenge and said he and the committee members will be working with various government agencies, private companies and community organizations to ensure this year’s celebrations go smoothly.

“This is a team effort and we are seeking everyone’s cooperation and assistance. We have to work together to make this year’s festivities bigger and better,” he said.

The 2005 Liberation Committee has fresh, new faces, as well as veteran committee members assisting in the organization of the event, scheduled to start on June 1, 2005 to July 8, 2005 at the Garapan Fishing Base, across Kristo Rai Church in Garapan.

Rose A. Hocog has been appointed as the Queen’s Committee chairwoman and is currently seeking the support from non-profit groups and different ethnic associations to sponsor candidates and highlight this year’s theme, “Celebrating Liberty, Peace and Freedom.” Interested associations and candidates may apply at the Saipan Mayor’s Office in San Antonio or call Rose at 287-6927.

Interested applicants must be female, from 15-21 years old, residing in the CNMI, of good moral character, single, never been married, does not have children and in good health.

The Committee has also recently issued a two-part invitation to all public and private schools for grades 6th to 12th and to the community in the Open Category to participate in an Essay Contest that “focuses on enabling youth and adults to better understand and appreciate as well as make meaningful connection with our annual Commonwealth celebration.”

The essays in both categories should focus on the “meaning of liberty and freedom in the context of the internment of the indigenous people at Camp Susupe in the early 1940s and the lessons that could be drawn from this experience in pursuing freedom, liberty and democracy consistent with United States policy.”

This year’s theme is “Celebrating Liberty, Peace and Freedom.”

The Open Category is for all other members of the greater community, including college students. First place winner will receive $1,000, 2nd place $500, 3rd place $250 and 4th place $150.

For the School Category, first place winner will receive $500, 2nd place $250 and 3rd place $150. There is no entry fee to participate and all submissions are property of the 2005 Liberation Day Executive Committee.

For more information, contact the Office of the Mayor at 234-6208 or 6280. (PR)