Palikir, POHNPEI. December 08, 2022 (Pohnpei Delegation Office) – The 22^nd Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia concluded its 6^th Special Session on Wednesday, December 07, 2022 with the adoption of eighteen resolutions which included grants, nominations and an invitation for the President, His Excellency David W. Panuelo to deliver a State of the Nation Address at its January 2023 Regular Session among others. The invitation was adopted through Congressional Resolution (CR) 22-178.

In regards to nominations, the Congress adopted CR 22-184 and CR 22-172, confirming the nominations of Mr. Arthy G. Nena to serve as a member of the MiCare Board of Directors, representing the state of Kosrae and Ms. Geraldine Mitagyow to serve as a member of the Board of Regents for the College of Micronesia - FSM, representing the state of Yap.

Through the adoption ofC.R. 22-183, the Congress sets the ceiling of $107, 090, 963 as the estimated funds available for appropriation from the General Fund of the Federated States of Micronesia for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, inclusive of Amended Compact grants and Supplemental Education grant.

The Congress also adoptedC.R. 22- 182, a grant in the amount of $4,000,000 from the Asian Development Bank, to fund the Renewable Energy Development Project- Additional Funding. The grant is to promote renewable energy to support a national disaster fund, in addition to support mitigation, adaptation and disaster relief efforts.

Three grants from the United States Department of Education were approved by the Congress. The first one is CR 22-181, a grant in the amount of $250,000 for the budget period August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023 under part B of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The second one is CR 22-180, a grant in the amount of $200,000 for the budget period October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 under Part B of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the third one is CR 22-179, a grant in the amount of $2,727, 888 for the federal funding period July 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 under Part B of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including all the terms and conditions of the assistances.

Another congressional resolution that was adopted is C.R. 22-177, which expressed the sincere condolences and sadness of the Twenty-Second Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia, to the family of the former Chief Justice of the Palau Supreme Court, the late Chief Justice Arthur Ngirakelsong, who passed on November 16, 2022.

By adopting C.R. 22-176, the Congress approved a grant in the amount of $300,000 from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, to provide funding for the America Rescue Act – Pediatric Mental Health Care Access New Area Expansion.

The Congress also adopted C.R. 222-175, a grant in the amount of $445,000 from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, to provide funding for the America Rescue Act – Pediatric Mental Health Care Access New Area Expansion, including all the terms and conditions of the assistance.

In regards to the ongoing litigation between the Open Access Entity and the FSM Telecommunications Corporation, the Congress adopted C.R 11-174, concerning the Fiber Optic Project and the Eastern Micronesia Cable (EMC), urging the parties and stakeholders to cooperate and expedite the implementation of this project.  According to the resolution, the Congress wishes to express policy discretion and its intention for the FSM to join the EMC Project that guarantees broadband connectivity for the FSM via Kosrae, and further urge all parties to the court litigation involving the Open Access entity and the FSM Telecommunications Corporation to respect the trial court decision issued and forego any appeal.

Another grant in the amount of $250,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to provide funding for the FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs State Opioid Response (SOR) Project, also received the approval of the Congress with adoption of C.R 22-171.

A grant of $119,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Forest Service Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) was also adopted by the Congress through CR 22-170, to fund the FSM Forest Action Plan activities.

Through C.R 22-169, the Congress approved a grant in the amount of $131,774 from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, to fund the FSM Maternal Child Health Program for the budget period from October 01, 2021, to the September 30, 2023.

Congress adopted C.R. 22-168, a donation in the amount of $200,000 from the Government of the People’s Republic of China to implement appropriate measures against the COVID-19 pandemic and to purchase necessary medical supplies and equipment.

By adopting C.R. 22-167, the Congress approved a grant in the amount of $155,509 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to fund the project entitled: “Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity in the Federated States of Micronesia” and its related services.

Finally, the Congress adopted C.R. 22-142, which expressed the sincere appreciation of the Twenty-Second Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia to Floyd K. Takeuchi for his long career in photography and journalism that has focused on the Pacific and contributed to a greater positive understanding of the Federated States of Micronesia in the world.

During Mr. Takeuchi’s long career, he has worked on stories as far ranging as the second evacuation of Bikini Atoll, the political status negotiations that led to the independence for the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Palau.

The next Regular Session of the Congress is scheduled for next month, unless a special session is called by the Speaker.

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