Tribute to William Nabors

William B. Nabors was a young and proactive attorney in these isles in the mid-sixties through late seventies. Perhaps the crown jewel of his accomplishment and contribution was the settlement of the Micronesian War Claims.

After that stint, he started working as counsel for the Northern Marianas District Legislature, drafting measures, including the adoption of a resolution calling for separate political status negotiations with the U.S.

That came to fruition in 1972 when the US granted the NMI the opportunity to negotiate separately from the rest of Micronesia. It started the ball rolling that finally culminated in a negotiated package approved by Congress in 1975: The Covenant Agreement.

The late counsel then went into private business and made good at it along beach road in Garapan. He moved to Tinian when he married former Tinian Representative Serafina King.

Indeed, we owe the late Bill Nabors our most profound sense of gratitude for his contributions during the formative years of what today is the CNMI’s constitutional government.

Mr. Nabors worked the clock as the only counsel, providing legal advice and drafting pertinent documents, to aid legislators deal with political status and other issues.
However overworked by the umpteen number of lawmakers requesting for bills, resolutions, committee reports or letters, I have never seen him complaint of being swamped with work. He took the extra mile to get the job done, everytime!

I spent time with Mr. Nabors in 1977-1979, working on speeches, research work and other requests from legislators. For the tons of work that was dumped on our laps daily, we still found time for graceful moments between assignments. A great guy to work with!

As I prayed for my friend in church this week in San Jose, Tinian, our font days of hardwork and laughter eased into mind. Yes, I could still see the steely glisten in his eyes, his powerful voice and infectious laughter as he exits the door right next to my office bidding adios to fellow co-workers at the close of business.

Finally, Mr. Nabors was among key players here that subsequently brought us out of an accidental relationship (a district in Micronesia) under the former Trust Territory Government. And for all your invaluable contributions, sir, “Dañkulo na Si Yuus Maase`” and may you rest in His everlasting sea of peace and tranquillity. Bien biahe yan Si Yuus Maase` pot todos. We will remember you and your family in our thoughts and prayers!
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I knew I was going to get nailed by it–motion sickness–but took the ferry anyway just to see what’s it all about. It’s one smooth cruise for those with good equilibrium. I came close to spelling wahoo!–but took it in stride nursing a hangover while dealing with the business at hand.

The last time I passed by the same route was in the late sixties aboard an M-boat heading for the San Jose Fiesta with the rest of the band (Royals). Returning home was fun as huge swells slam against the front end of the boat forcing involuntary shower with salt water.
Until this year, my perception of Tinian was limited to the old village of San Jose.
There’s now a new village and the place has sprung up in ways that depict growth and development beyond my wildest imaginings. The island is destined for more development. Why not! Definitely, the people aren’t ready to perpetuate playing second fiddle to whimsy dictates or inactions from the central government.

I figure that someday soon, it’ll also boast an 18-hold golf links as a component of a large family-oriented resort. Like Rota, the people of this tiny isle wanted to make things happen–with proactive resolve–as they dish out fully thought-out development plans. Saipan has suffered from unbridled growth. Tinian and Rota still have time in their hands to dictate growth and development at their own pace, too.

Tinian has shown us that the learning curve on leadership also works in reverse–bottom up! No worries, I heard nothing, saw nothing, didn’t smell anything. Yeah, right!