Rota fire station to be renamed
The House of Representatives is looking to rename a fire station on Rota.
Rep. Glenn Maratita’s (R-Rota) House Bill 20-144 is seeking to rename the Rota Fire Station 8 after assistant fire chief Robert O. Hocog.
Hocog was instrumental in the creation of the fire division under the Department of Public Safety on Rota, where Public Law 18-73 separated DPS from the Department of Fire and Emergency Management Services back in 2015.
Hocog was able to implement standard operating procedures that until now are still followed by the DFEMS. He then went on to serve the department for a total of 22 years.
H.B. 20-144 not only renames Fire Station 8, but also affixes the main entrance of the facility with the words “Robert O. Hocog Fire Station.”
H.B. 20-144 also calls for Mayor of Rota Efraim Atalig, in coordination with members of the DFEMS Rota and Hocog himself, to prepare a plan of dedication to be submitted within 60 days of the law’s enactment.
H.B. 20-144 has garnered the support of the House Judiciary and Governmental Operation Committee members present during discussions, adopting the bill for House action through a vote of 4-0.
Reps. John Paul Sablan (R-Saipan), Blas Jonathan Attao (Ind-Saipan), Edwin Aldan (R-Tinian), and chair Ivan Blanco (R-Saipan) were present.
Lesson: Recalled the William S. Reyes Elementary School was once named after a Navy admiral. Years later the admiral brought his clan to see the school only to find out his name is missing and no longer exist. Easy it does it people! Naming of buildings, etc., must be based on real extra ordinary accomplishments not simple suggestions that has been staring at the elected elite while they snooze on the wheel.