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Akaka reiterates support for NMI’s delegate bid
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Posted on Nov 09 2004
Hawaii Sen. Dan K. Akaka has reiterated his support for the Commonwealth’s bid for delegate representation at the U.S. Congress, promising to back the Delegate bill that is now before the U.S. House of Representatives.
In a letter addressed to Resident Rep. Pete A. Tenerio, Akaka said he was pleased to learn that the House Committee on Resources chaired by Rep. Richard Pombo had favorably reported on the proposed Northern Marianas Delegate Act, H.R. 5135, on Oct. 7, 2004.
“As I indicated to you in previous meetings, I support the CNMI’s efforts to be represented by a delegate in the United States House of Representatives,” Akaka said.
The senator’s letter was in response to Tenerio’s letter to him in which the Washington representative asked for his assistance in support of H.R. 5135 when the proposed bill is referred to the U.S. Senate.
“This is another excellent indication of the support that our Delegate to Congress quest is receiving, and senator Akaka’s support is crucial to the passage of the Delegate Act as he is a ranking member in the Senate Committee on Energy which has jurisdiction over the Delegate issue,” Tenerio said. “My plan is to visit with all the Hawaii State congressional delegation and to solicit their support of our Delegate Act for I know that with their additional support, Congress will act favorably. Congressmen Neil Abercombrie and Ed Case both supported the Delegate for the CNMI in the House Resources Committee’s mark up on a bipartisan basis. I will be meeting with Senator Dan Inouye to renew my request for his support as well,” Tenorio said.
