The best remedy for the holiday dilemma

The federal government, states comprising the union, banks, and public schools from K-12, as well as colleges and universities in the United States, honor Washington and Lincoln (President’s Day), Columbus (Founder of America), and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the most profound civil rights activist in the history of the United States. Presidents’ Day falls generally on the third Monday in February; Columbus Day, the second Monday in October; and, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the third Monday in January. Public offices, i.e., federal, state, and local, as well as schools and banks are all closed on the abovementioned days. Employees who are affiliated with public organizations are paid for all these holidays.

The CNMI is currently celebrating the above holidays, but because there are additional local holidays, i.e., “Commonwealth” and “Covenant” days, there appears to be some “brouhaha” about whether some holidays should remain and some deleted.

Back in April 2004, the 14th Legislature sent Senate Bill 14-10 to the governor for his signature. The bill abolished Presidents’ Day and Columbus Day and replaced them with Martin Luther King Day and Cultural Day. To my knowledge, this bill was never signed by Gov. Juan N. Babauta and this accounts for why Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is once again not being honored on his birthday in 2005.

What I find completely ironic is that the governor does not want to honor one of the greatest Americans who ever lived, but will travel to the United States on his birthday and celebrate the man with the politicians who consider him worthy to honor on his birthday.

There should always be complete respect by everyone for all holidays honored in the United States, as well as the CNMI. To select a local holiday over a federal holiday, and vice-versa, would indeed create negative ramifications because of the political and fiscal relationship the CNMI has with the federal government and should not be entertained.

If Presidents’ and Columbus Day remained intact and both the holidays for the Commonwealth and Covenant Days were combined into one day, there would only be “one” additional holiday given to the people in the employ of the CNMI government. If one took the time to look at the overall cost of “one holiday” versus what Governor Babauta spends on two trips that are in excess of “one week” at a time, then the argument that it will cost the CNMI greatly will not be very strong.

Dropping a federal holiday for a local holiday might be looked upon favorably by some in the CNMI, but I am almost certain it would be frowned upon by some elected officials in Washington. Moreover, it would no doubt negatively impact the image of Washington Representative Pete A. Tenorio and make his job of lobbying for the CNMI and striving to improve the quality of life for residents of the island community somewhat difficult.

Consolidating the “Commonwealth” and “Covenant” days on a day that would not conflict with the Rota fiesta, and at the same time honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday; two of America’s most profound presidents (Washington and Lincoln); as well as the man who founded America, might be an arrangement that everyone would be receptive to. It would seem to me that the expense of “one additional holiday” would be well worth it, if everyone in the island community is in agreement with the particulars and there is no more of an issue to dispute.

Compromise can be at times a challenge, as well as “trying to be all things to all people.” Since you “can’t have your cake and eat it too” regarding holidays, the elected officials in the CNMI should now be making some adjustments and put an end to this ongoing holiday brouhaha that has been going on now for quite some time.

Dr. Jesus D. Camacho
Delano, California