Speaking on the CNMI Economy at the Saipan Chamber Economic Summit
Our community is facing real economic hardship today, and much of it traces back to the condition of our economy. When the Saipan Chamber of Commerce invited me to participate in this year’s Economic Summit, I saw it as an important opportunity to speak directly about where we are, what is standing in our way, and how we can move forward. I joined a strong panel discussion on tourism and later delivered the closing remarks for the summit. In those remarks, I focused on the facts of our current situation, and the role federal policies are playing in slowing our recovery. Many of the actions you have seen from your elected leaders in recent months are aimed at clearing those barriers and aligning federal policy with the needs of our islands and you deserve to understand why. As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Covenant, it is important to remember that the rights it provides to us are only meaningful if we are willing to fight for them. Understanding the challenges we face and speaking with a clear message about how federal policy can better represent our needs is not something we should shy away from. It is our responsibility as leaders and as Americans.
Take a read of my remarks and watch them for yourself here.