Policy Begins Here
It was an honor to join this year’s Disability Policy Seminar on Saipan and speak alongside advocates, service providers, and allies who are on the front lines of advancing disability rights in the Marianas. Policymaking doesn’t start in Washington—it starts in our community. It starts with the people who live the realities, do the hard work, and push the conversation forward long before Congress gets involved. Our disability advocates don’t need to convince me of what’s needed—my job is to listen, amplify their voices, and fight for what they already know will make a difference. We may be a small community, but our voices matter—and when I walk into those rooms in Washington, I walk in with Team CNMI behind me. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible, and for your continued service and passion. Let’s keep showing up and making progress together.