August 17, 2014 — Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan and a group of seven other members of Congress arrived on Saipan today. The delegation, led by Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA), has also stopped in Australia and New Zealand for talks on the free-trade Trans-Pacific Partnership, energy development, and the realignment of US forces in the Western Pacific. Governor Eloy Inos hosted a dinner for the Congressmen on Sunday evening and has invited various representatives of the community at large to attend. On Monday morning, the delegation will help cut the ribbon at opening ceremonies for the new Garapan Public Market.
Congressman Sablan thanked the Governor for his hospitality and noted “this is certainly the most important congressional group to visit the Northern Marianas at one time.
“In addition to Chairman Hastings, we have a second full committee Chairman, Frank Lucas, who steers the Agriculture Committee. And we are welcoming Chairman Jack Kingston, the third-ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of its Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.
“Also with us are Chairman John Fleming, who heads up the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs, Doug Lamborn, who chairs the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, Richard Hudson, Chairman of the Transportation Security Subcommittee, and Rob Woodall, Chairman of Rules Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process.
“I am very grateful that these Members accepted my invitation and took the time from their very busy schedules to visit the Northern Marianas and learn about the work we are all doing to grow our economy and improve life for everyone in our islands,” Sablan said.