Martin Luther King bill disapproved

Acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente opposed the elimination of President’s Day from the CNMI’s official holidays, citing the presidents’ profound contributions to American democracy. Because of this, the administration vetoed the proposed measure that would have replaced President’s Day in the CNMI with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Instead, Benavente urged the 14th Legislature to preserve the President’s Day and establish the Martin Luther King’s Day by adopting a substitute legislation submitted by the Office of the Governor.

In his transmittal letter to Senate President Joaquin Adriano and House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, Benavente said he fully support the establishment of the Martin Luther King Day as an official holiday in the CNMI. He said King was a champion of equality and civil rights for all Americans, regardless of race, creed and national origin.

“Dr. King’s efforts continue to have profound effect on civil liberties in the United States and the residents of the CNMI are direct beneficiaries of his legacy,” said the acting governor.

However, Benavente added, President’s Day honors two very significant actions in American history: Pres. George Washington, who is the founder of the republic, and Pres. Abraham Lincoln, the preserver of the Union.

“In honoring them, the nation is yearly rededicated to the most profound principles of American democracy: freedom from oppression and equality for all. We, as the newest member of the American political family, must do no less. I, therefore, believe that preserving President’s Day as a Commonwealth official holiday is important and must be maintained,” said the acting governor.

Also, Benavente urged the Legislature to introduce and adopt the proposed substitute legislation to achieve the establishment of Martin Luther King’s Day and the preservation of the President’s Day.

By doing this, the other holiday, Christopher Columbus Day, originally included along with the President’s Day in the proposed Senate Bill 14-10, would be eliminated from the official CNMI holidays.

Senate Bill 14-10, which amends the existing legal holidays in the Commonwealth, was supposed to abolish both the U.S. President’s Day and the Christopher Columbus Day, to be replaced by Martin Luther King Day and Cultural Day.

President’s Day falls on the third Monday in February. Under the measure, this will become Martin Luther King Day. Columbus Day, which falls on the second Monday of October, will be replaced by Cultural Day, which would now fall on the last Monday of May.

At present, there are 14 Commonwealth legal holidays: New Year’s Day, Commonwealth Day, President’s Day, Covenant Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence/Liberation Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Citizenship Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Constitution Day, and Christmas Day.