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I received a response this week from the U.S.
I was grateful to welcome representatives from Philippine Airlines to the Saipan district office this week while they were on island m
We’re proud to highlight Simon Tang of Saipan whose writing reflects the values and perspective of the CNMI far beyond our shores. A first-year student a
I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Mark Farmer, a Saipan resident and Coast Guard veteran, who stopped by the district office this week. We had an enlightening discussion about the experiences veterans are having here in the CNMI and the ways services can be strengthened to better meet their needs. Our conversation also touched on the CNMI’s geopolitical role in the region, where Mark shared thoughtful and insightful perspectives shaped by his service and lived experience.
It was a real treat to sit down with Del Benson this week. As a long-time resident of the CNMI, Del brings a deep love for our islands and an infectious enthusiasm for moving our community forward. Every time we meet, the conversation is filled with thoughtful ideas and genuine optimism about what is possible here. I appreciated the time he took to share his perspective and look forward to continuing these conversations in the future.
My week back in the CNMI wrapped up with a meeting with Matthew Toh and Devan Pillay of Pacific Pharmaceuticals USA, who are in the Commonwealth exploring the possibility of pharmaceutical manufacturing here at home. The meeting was coordinated by the team at Commonwealth Economic Development Authority, including Executive Director Derek Sasamoto and Economic Development Manager Richard Villagomez. Manufacturing represents an important step toward diversifying our economy, and success in this space depends on strong coordination between local and federal partners.
I proudly presented the CNMI’s 2025 Congressional App Challenge winners with their Certificates of Commendation this week.