Washington D.C., May 21, 2019 – His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), was at U.S. Capitol Hill in the Longworth Building’s Natural Resources Committee Room this evening, May 21st, 2019, attending a reception held in the honor of the visiting Presidents of the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the FSM. The three Ambassadors of the Micronesian Embassies in D.C hosted the reception, which was attended by some prominent members of the U.S. Congress as well as key congressional staffers.
In his remarks, President Panuelo acknowledged the significance of the visit and called on a renewed relationship between the three Micronesian countries and the United States. To that end, the President reiterated what he had been sharing with the Executive Cabinet members whom he had met earlier, which included discussions between the United States and the FSM on the expiring provisions of the Compact of Free Association, as Amended.
President Panuelo further stated that while there are other important takeaways from these historic visits and meetings, he was extremely delighted to participate in the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This ceremony was not only emotional for him on a personal level, but it reaffirmed our two countries’ commitment to promote world peace and security.
President Panuelo thanked those members of the U.S. Congress who were present at the reception for their support in the implementation of the Compact of Free Association. He made it clear that he looks forward to their support when a renewed package for the Compact Sector Grants is presented to the U.S. Congress, and reaffirmed the FSM's commitment to the Free Association bilateral relationship between the FSM and the United States.
The attending members of the U.S Congress took turns at the podium to show their support for the continuing relationship embodied in the Compacts of Free Association. Among the members present were Congressman Gregory “Kilili” Sablan (D-CNMI), who had the honor of moderating the event; Congressman Don Young (D-AK), who sponsored the REAL ID Modification Act for the Freely Associated States Act and is known also as the Dean of the House; Congressman Ed Case (D-HI), Congressman Michael San Nicolas (R-Guam), Congressman Thomas Suozzi (D-NY), and Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa).
Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Non-proliferation under the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, gave a supportive and encouraging statement calling on the United States Government to extend the Compact’s provisions now and not wait until 2023. He noted that this invitation for the three Presidents of the Freely Associated States to visit the White House is a rare opportunity for Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to put partisan politics aside and unify for the common good.
For more information on this event, contact the Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia in Washington D.C., at (202)223-4383 or visit the website at http://www.fsmembassydc.org/