17,000 signatures and counting
The Office of the Washington Representative disclosed that its signature drive in support of the CNMI’s bid for a nonvoting delegate in Congress has already mustered over 17,000 signatures.
The petition, which also circulated in several Chamorro communities in the U.S. mainland, was part of the package submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives as testimony of the broad base of support for the CNMI’s bid for delegate status.
Resident Rep. Pete A. Tenorio said the CNMI would now wait for the decision of the U.S. House of Representatives whether to introduce a measure in support of the CNMI’s bid.
“All we can do right now is to wait. I was hoping that it would be introduced before the election this year and the timing is all we are waiting for,” said Tenorio in an interview.
The Washington representative explained that there is no need for further hearings right now.
He said the bid received tremendous support from all sectors, including members of the Congress and federal officials.
On May 31, the Washington Representative Office submitted to Congress the petitions gathered by the agency. Anna Teregeyo of the WRO said, though, that whoever wants to sign the petition could still sign them.
The petition drive began in May 2004 as soon as the U.S. House of Representatives signified its readiness to tackle the matter. Tenorio launched two signature drives—the first one for registered voters and the other for students.
The U.S. House Resources Committee held a hearing Feb. 25 this year on the CNMI delegate issue, and heard positive testimony from the U.S. administration, Tenorio, Gov. Juan N. Babauta, and Senate President Joaquin G. Adriano. A bill related to this is expected to be introduced soon. For additional information, call Ana Teregeyo at the District Office at (670) 664-5651.
