King-Hinds commits to amplifying youth voices

U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds on Saturday congratulated the newly sworn in members of the 20th Youth Congress, saying that she is looking forward to working with them.

As the special guest of the Youth Congress’ organizational session in the House chamber, King-Hinds said: “I offer this to you today. I am deeply committed to working with each and every one of you to further amplify your voices, to help shape the policies with you in mind.”

She said, every day she wakes up and asks herself “Why am I doing this?” referring to her job.

"I just turned 50, which means I am in a downward trajectory of my life span. I have a very limited amount of life left on this Earth. You, however, are just heading up that hill. You have a bright future ahead of you. And I pledge my commitment to ensuring that you have every opportunity available to you here on our island," King-Hinds said.

She praised the youth senators for holding a well-organized inaugural session.

“I wish that the U.S. House were as organized [as you are],” she added.

She said, “decisions are being made today that will impact you the most,” and that she was proud to hear from the youth senators that “you don’t see [yourselves] as future leaders — rather, you are living in the present, that you recognize and acknowledge your role in shaping a lot of the policies that are happening today.”

“And in your speeches, I heard different areas of policy concerns and it tells me that you are very much present and you are listening. You are reading, you are engaged with the different issues that are impacting our community," King-Hinds said.

It was Kagman High School's Vinnie Juan Quitugua Sablan, the reelected Youth Congress speaker, who said, “We are not the future, we are the present.”

The other officers of the 20th Youth Congress are Marianas High School’s Monique Lou'isa Pangelinan Mendiola, vice speaker; Grace Christian Academy's Ayden Sean Camacho Yumul, floor leader; and Saipan International School's Victor Nash Maniego Santos, secretary.

The committee chairs are Mount Carmel School's Christopher James Noisom Dela Cruz, Ways and Means; Saipan Southern High School's Matthew Jocson Salas, Economic Development and Tourism; Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School’s Edward Ulloa Maratita, Health and Welfare; Yumul, Education; Santos, Sports and Recreation; Tinian Jr.-Sr. High School's Jireth Anna Cabantog Cruz, Judiciary and Governmental Operations; and Mendiola, Youth Activities chair.

The bills passed by the Youth Congress are forwarded to the governor and the presiding officers of the Legislature for disposition.