Young indigenous in support of monument

Please allow me to add my voice to the the chorus of young indigenous locals in support of the Marianas Trench National Marine Monument.

Many may be surprised that I am writing this letter considering who my father is. This letter is not meant to be disrespectful, but there comes a time to speak up. I ask our leaders to please listen to us young people. Our leaders should be asking the young people in this community what they think because we are the ones who are going to have to live with their decisions for decades to come.

The monument would lead to many educational opportunities for us young people. Educational opportunities lead to jobs. Most importantly, our leaders have the opportunity to protect our islands for my generation and generations to come.

[B]Aleth Kae Atalig[/B]
[I]Garapan, Saipan[/I]