Youth Congress passes language bill

The CNMI Youth Congress has passed a bill that requires the instruction of the Chamorro and/or Carolinian language at each school level.

Last Aug. 17, during their ninth regular session, the 19th CNMI Youth Congress unanimously passed Youth Congress Bill 19-01 requiring the instruction of the Chamorro and/or Carolinian language at each school level.

The bill now heads to both houses of the Legislature where it awaits the next step in what the Youth Congress hopes will be its eventual passage into law.

The newly passed youth legislation also carries with it support from the Public School System and both the Indigenous and Carolinian Affairs offices during the latter’s process of inquiry with each agency.

Youth Congress Bill 19-01, YCD 1, authored by Sen. Ayden Sean C. Yumul (Grace Christian Academy) was passed after amendments were made to the original bill which was introduced over a year ago and referred to the Education Committee.

YCB 19-01 was first introduced in the 18th Youth Congress by former speaker Cielo G. Long of Tinian and was passed by the senators, but unfortunately the bill was not acted on by the previous Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature.

In a statement prior to the passage of the bill, Yumul said the CNMI’s youth leaders are committed to the continuance of providing access to cultural education.

“A little less than 50 years ago, our founding fathers recognized the importance of keeping our languages and cultures alive as Indigenous peoples through education and exposure of our cultural traditions. Today, we, the youth leaders, stand committed to provide access to cultural education throughout the whole pipeline. I humbly ask for your support to pass this bill, which will significantly impact the youth by providing education of indigenous language and cultures. Because it promotes pride in our heritage, (and) fosters a strong sense of identity and empowerment” he said.

In related news, the Youth Congress adopted resolutions honoring Micronesian Games athletes and late Tinian Mayor James M. Mendiola.

The first resolution adopted, YC Resolution 19-24, honors the achievements of the 2024 Micronesian Games delegation, and their record-setting victories at the recently concluded event in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands.

In the resolution, the author, Sen. Soledad T. Sablan (Saipan International School), writes that the 122 athletes who competed, “brings tremendous honor and pride to themselves, as well as the entire Marianas.”

During the weeks of competition, the CNMI delegation won a combined 122 medals, with 70 of them being gold, the largest gold medal tally in the history of the Games.

Also adopted was YC Resolution 19-25 which honors the late James M. Mendiola, former mayor of the Municipality of Tinian & Aguiguan.

The commendation authored by Yumul and Sen Ysabella V. Palacios (Tinian Jr.-Sr. High School) honors Mendiola’s life of service to the people of Tinian the Northern Marianas, including his time in the military, holding various civic positions, as well as his elected service as a member of the 2nd Legislature and as Tinian’s mayor from 1990-1994.

Mendiola passed away on July 11, 2024, at the age of 75.

He is survived by his wife, former Tinian councilwoman Thomasa Mendiola, their children and grandchildren.