FSM Information Services
Press Release
President Paneulo Administers Oath of Office to Akillino H. Susaia & Jackson T. Soram as
Ambassador of the FSM to the USA & Deputy Chief of Mission of the FSM to the USA,
Respectively
WASHINGTON, D.C.—On October 11th, 2019, His Excellency Akillino H. Susaia, Ambassador of
the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to the United States of America, and the Honorable
Jackson T. Soram, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), were sworn into their respective roles by His
Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the FSM.
“Do you, Akillino H. Susaia, solemnly swear that you will faithfully execute the duties and
responsibilities of the office to which you have been appointed, and will, to the best of your ability,
uphold, promote, and support the laws and Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia, so
help you God?” said President Panuelo.
“I do,” said Ambassador Susaia.
“Do you, Jackson T. Soram, solemnly swear that you will faithfully execute the duties and
responsibilities of the office to which you have been appointed, and will, to the best of your ability,
uphold, promote, and support the laws and Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia, so
help you God?” said President Panuelo.
“I do,” said DCM Soram.
After the oath of office ceremony proper, President Panuelo, Ambassador Susaia, and DCM Soram
shared brief remarks.
“I cannot emphasize enough,” President Panuelo said in his remarks, “how proud I am today as the
ninth President of our Nation to have the opportunity to administer the oath of office to our
Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Susaia—and to administer the oath of office to our
[DCM], Jackson Soram. I congratulate both of you…you know that this is a new administration—
and I have said that my success is NOT my success alone, but for the entirety of the people of the
FSM. We are one Nation, a proud Nation, and I appreciate your hard efforts in building our Nation
forward.”
“Thank you all…we need to tell the [United States]: here we are,” said Ambassador Susaia. “We are
smack in the middle of the Pacific but our special and strategic relationship is worthwhile—we want
to continue to be a part it. And I commend the President for really dedicating his efforts to do
that… Because from there, other things will follow that will [improve] our lives, and our children’s
lives.”
“Colleagues, staff, families—thank you for joining us today,” said DCM Soram “As today came
closer, I became a little bit emotional. …Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you for your vote of
confidence in us to continue serving the people and Government of the [FSM], this Nation…. We
will continue to do what we can to serve our country, and the best interests of our Nation, our
people.”