NMI delegates share their plans for the coming year and the future

BY MARK RABAGO
Saipan Correspondent

SUSUPE, Saipan — Both Kimberlyn King-Hinds, incoming Republican delegate for the Northern Mariana Islands; and longtime Democratic delegate, Gregorio “Kilili” C. Sablan, who will leave office on Jan. 3, are looking forward to new accomplishments.

Her first order of the day on taking office will be “the economy, as I’ve been saying throughout the campaign,” Kimberlyn King-Hinds told the Journal.

She did acknowledge that she has a laundry list of needs the people of the Northern Mariana Islands communicated to her during the campaign as well as to the local government, and it goes without saying, to the federal government as well through the years. 

“If I was to condense the overall objectives of the people of the CNMI as it relates to the work and actions of Congres,s it would be securing the outcomes for the CNMI that are equal to those of the larger United States.

“This would necessarily involve advocating for equal and fair treatment of the CNMI's Medicaid system that provides essential healthcare access to thousands of residents suffering from disproportionate rates of noncommunicable diseases, expanded and targeted resources that speak to the specific needs and backgrounds of our students in pre-K, primary, secondary, post-secondary, and vocational education institutions, taking a nuanced and  honest look at the resources the CNMI needs to recovery and develop its economy, and ensuring federal objectives such as defense investments do more than simply not harm the CNMI but actively collaborate with the CNMI people to secure local benefits,” she said.

Apart from those top asks, the daughter of Tinian who is the former Commonwealth Ports Authority board chairwoman. said there are many ways that the NMI Congressional Office also supports the needs and interests of the Commonwealth outside of direct policy and legislative work. 

“I am excited at the opportunity to continue providing avenues for our students to gain entry into our nation's military academies through the Congressional Service Academy nominations, advancing the awareness of the CNMI's talented artists through the Congressional Art Competition, and doing the day-to-day direct service we will continue to make available to constituents in need of support with a federal agency through a case work program we will prioritize among the islands' district offices. The tie that binds these two objectives together is that my central priority is making sure that the government of the people of the CNMI works with them and not against them as much as I can,” she said.

The longtime attorney said she’s seen the hardships that people are going through today and that many of these challenges are simply because there are not enough resources they need to make things work.

“Not enough jobs, incomes not meeting expenses, limited opportunities, the loss of hope. The same struggles are those of the economy overall — too little tourists, too few customers, not enough opportunities to grow. We have to recognize that many of these top-level limits are due to decisions made by the federal government and at the same time we are also contending with too many restrictions, hurdles and costs associated with complying with federal requirements,” King-Hinds said.

“As simple as this may seem, I understand how complex the current economic challenges are, and recognize that improving the federal side of the partnership to economic recovery is just one aspect. We have to work toward strengthening both the support of the federal government and the capabilities of the local government to respond to economic downturns effectively and leverage federal resources to promote greater opportunities for individuals. My job is clear on this — I am committed to working with Congress and the federal government to promote a proactive partnership for economic growth, and I hope to do this work in close collaboration with the local government to make sure we in the CNMI are doing our utmost to target federal support where it is most needed,” she said.

Meanwhile, King-Hinds said she’s very appreciative of the help Sablan was able to extend to her.

“There is no one who knows the responsibilities, opportunities, and processes of the CNMI’s work in Congress like him, and he has graciously provided me tremendous insight into this role, and the ways in which we can continue to do the good work he has done for the CNMI. This is a historic time for the CNMI. This is the first transition of a Congressional office in our history, and I appreciate Congressman Sablan’s willingness to meet and work through this process together.”

Sablan shared in his newsletter that he and King-Hinds lunched, and he gave her tips on where to find island staples like rice and local peppers.
Aside from her lunch date with Sablan and their work on the transition, King-Hinds shared that she’s lucky to be coming into the 119th U.S. Congress with like-minded delegates James C. Moylan and Uifa’atali Amata Radewagen.

“I feel very fortunate to be serving the people of the CNMI in Congress alongside the representatives from our Pacific neighbors. Congressman Moylan from Guam and congresswoman Amata from American Samoa have been effective and proactive advocates for the Pacific Insular Areas in their time in the House of Representatives and their work in advocating for our shared challenges is an opportunity for us all to advance our voice among the many competing interests in Congress. Together we are stronger, and I am excited for the chance to collaborate with them and learn from their experiences. Already, I am so happy about the relationship we are building with the Office of Congressman Moylan and the initial thoughts we have shared on ways we can collaborate as One Marianas in the upcoming Congress,” she said.

The “delegate boot camp” she went through was certainly a “whirlwind of activities, meetings, and training,” she said.

During her first visit, King-Hinds said she was also able to meet with individuals like chairman of the House Natural Resource Committee, Bruce Westerman, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Jim Jordan, and her cohorts among the freshmen members of Congress this upcoming term.

As for her assigned office, King-Hinds said she’s not sure yet.

“Congressional offices are assigned via a lottery system. Congressman Sablan has held several offices throughout his time in Congress with opportunities for new office locations being made available to him by virtue of his standing and tenure. We look forward to making the office of the people of the CNMI open to all who visit the nation's capital and communicating the many ways people can stay in touch with the work of their office at home and in DC in the weeks ahead.”

On whether she’ll continue the highly successfully e-kilili newsletter of Sablan, King-Hinds said she will definitely look at it and improve on it, like every aspect of her incoming term as CNMI delegate.

“In all aspects, we are looking at building on the resources Congressman Sablan has fostered for the CNMI, and in terms of services whether it be in public communication of the work being done on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth in D.C. and in the level of case work services we provide to individuals seeking assistance, we are working to ensure the public experience no disruptions in the services they have grown to expect. Things will be different, naturally, and we are already deep in the process of looking at ways in which the people of the CNMI can be more involved in the events and progress of our work in D.C., but ensuring that direct lines of communication with the people and with the media that serves such a critical function for our community remain open is so important for me and the work we will be doing. In the coming weeks we will be reaching out to the community about the ways in which they can stay in touch and involved in the work of their Congressional Office and I look forward to ensuring we are open and honest with the public.”

Herb Yamada, Sablan’s legislative director, will serve as her chief of staff. Paula Bermudez will also continue to lead the district office and Matt De Leon Guerrero will serve as the senior policy advisor.
King-Hinds said the office is currently operating with a skeleton crew due to budget constraints and that the full budget for the office will not be available until next year. Hiring for vacant positions is on hold until the budget is finalized. King-Hinds will be flying back to Washington, D.C. on Dec. 23.

Sablan plans to continue contributions to the Northern Mariana Islands

Gregorio “Kilili” C. Sablan will end his 16-year run in Congress on Jan. 3, but the first non-voting delegate to Congress for the Northern Mariana Islands to the U.S. House of Representatives isn’t keen to become an “ordinary Joe” during retirement. He plans to volunteer and be available for informal talking engagements.

“I’m not running for office anymore,” he told the Journal. “I could still get involved and help somebody maybe.” He has already agreed to volunteer for the umbrella group for the CNMI Parent-Teacher-Student Association, he said. “I’m going to have to start in the next school year,” he said.

Sablan, who will turn 70 on Jan. 19, said he will always believe that education is the key to uplifting the lives of the people of the Northern Marianas, and that education starts at home. “We need to find a way to convince parents that their children’s education is not only during first, second, third grade,” he said.

While schools in the NMI are improving, he said they can be better.

“But our schools are still able to develop and nurture and educate really smart kids. I’ve seen so many jewels come to my office and visit or meet them somewhere.”

As for continuing to be available to people just to talk and share a conversation, Sablan said all he needs is a couple of folding chairs and a folding table at the Marianas Business Plaza parking lot, or the recently revived Thursday Night Market in Coral Street in Garapan.

Sablan does not see himself writing an autobiography or memoire anytime soon. He said such pursuits exhibit vanity and he said he does not believe a book about his life will sell well.

He also plans to do more walking, as it has become a habit of his when he’s on Saipan.

“As early as 4 a.m. in the morning I go walking.” His route can take him from his office in Susupe across Saipan World Resort to Joe Lifoifoi’s house in Lower Navy Hill, he said. “I think I did my best walk … for three hours and 15 minutes from my house [in Paganville near the Commonwealth Health Center].”

During those walks, he has become familiar with habitual walkers along Beach Road.

Sablan also hopes to finally catch up with reading books and poems.

As for his biggest achievements during his eight terms in office, Sablan said it has been improving the lives of his constituents by bringing billions in federal dollars to the commonwealth.

“Like any politician, bringing money to the district is always very important. And I think we have not just brought money here but brought money ere that could be helpful to our people.”

Sablan is also proud to have served on the U.S. House Committee on Education & the Workforce. “That committee is not flashy,” he said. “We don’t do CODELS and things like that. I stayed in there because I needed to make sure that we continue to improve our system here.” Funding for NMI health and Medicaid rose from $8 million a year to currently $65 million a year he said. “Every year that would increase. It’s still not enough money. But from 50-50 [Federal Medical Assistance Percentage] to 83-17 — you can’t beat that.”

Sablan said the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s hospital has improved enormously.

“We have a cardiologist; we have an oncologist and three psychiatrists. I don’t know any jurisdiction in the mainland this small that would have that kind of thing.”

As for regrets, Sablan said the biggest was his failure to pass a bill that would have granted NMI-only permanent residence to certain long-term foreign workers and investors who are already lawfully present in the NMI.

“I still have two weeks, but I doubt it’s going to happen,” he said. “I would have liked to have passed H.R. 560. … It’s only right. Those people, the beneficiaries of H.R. 560 are people that will have no political impact on an election, because they’re not going to be citizens. But … we need to learn to appreciate more the contributions of everyone who’s lived here and made contributions to our community,” he said.

Sablan is also optimistic about what his successor will do during her first term.

“She’s coming into a House that’s modernized. The tools available for her – whether it’s in legislation, in communication – are things that are incredibly amazing and will help her do her job. The Library of Congress has over 700 researchers, each with a specialty on a item. You want to have a question about typhoons? Someone there can write you a memorandum about typhoons as specifically to Tinian,” he said.

Sablan is not excited at the incoming administration of President-elect Donald J. Trump.

“I think she will do well. I just don’t know how she’s going to navigate into this MAGA [administration]. … Is it good for the CNMI? I am going to have to defer to our delegate-elect out of respect. … But I would not find that MAGA is in the Mariana’s best interest.” mbj