#2 on the Ballot

The election is just around the corner. You have heard Joe speak about his qualifications and his plans to improve our lives here in the Commonwealth. It’s your turn now to give him that opportunity by voting #2 on November 2nd.

Speech at CNMI Rotary Club

Hafa Adai and Good Morning/Good Afternoon:

I want to thank you for inviting me to your weekly meeting.  These weekly discussion with each candidate demonstrates the CNMI Rotary Club’s strong sense of civic responsibility–and concern for the future direction of these islands we call home.

Today, the CNMI faces its toughest economic situation in decades. The root of the problem ultimately rests with falling revenues from a struggling economy.  The CNMI is in a period of painful economic transition, seeking a new economic model.  The future demands a special type of leadership.  We do not need a drill sergeant barking orders, nor do we need someone that fancies themselves as a loner unwilling to work in a team.  We need more than ever for all elected officials – the Delegate, the Governor, the Leadership of the House and Senate, and the Mayors working together.  More than ever we need a unified voice, a unified direction.

United with one voice we must address the Federalization of Immigration (U.S. Public Law 110-229).  In my mind, there are three general categories.

The first category includes Tourist, Foreign Students and Foreign Retirees.  We need more of these categories and must make every effort to bring in more.  Tourist, Foreign Students and Foreign Retirees come to the CNMI and spend money.  They stay for a few days, a few months or even a few years.  Tourist, Foreign Students and Foreign Retirees are here to spend money and are not seeking employment.

The Second Category is Foreign Investors.  At the risk of over-simplification, there are three U.S. Categories for Foreign Investors.  EI and E2 are investors who do not want any status but merely want to travel to and from the United States to visit their investments.  An EB5 category are foreign investors who want status but must be able to invest 1 million dollars AND employ 10 U.S. Citizens.  Except for a few large hotels, golf courses and large businesses – most CNMI Foreign Investor would not qualify under the U.S. EB5 category.  We need a CNMI-only Foreign Investor.  Foreign Investors bring money and invest in the CNMI that is why we need to maintain the current 500 Foreign Investor permit holders as well as attract additional Foreign Investors.  One million is too high and 1 dollar is too low.  Collectively, the Delegate and the CNMI elected leaders must determine what is the acceptable level to maintain and attract Foreign Investors to the CNMI.  Once that level is determine, it is the job of the Delegate to push legislation for a CNMI-only Foreign Investor.

The Third Category are Foreign Contract Workers.   I oppose the Department of the Interior’s Report recommending granting Improved Status to Foreign Contract workers because it failed to comply with the requirement to have a meaningful consultation with the CNMI Governor.  20 years ago, Foreign Contract Workers supplement and complement the Local Work force.  Today, the Foreign Contract Workers are competing with the local worker force for jobs.  The United States does not have an Open-Door policy on foreign contract workers but instead the United States has a policy that limits annually the influx of foreign contract workers.  The standard is not what foreign contract workers want or what foreign contract workers think they deserve because they have been in the CNMI for so many years.  The guiding principle of the CNMI as it relates to foreign contract workers is the same as the United States and that is whether there is a need for foreign contract workers.  United States Citizens in the CNMI are unemployed.  United States Citizens in the CNMI are lining up to get food stamps.  United States Citizens want to work.  As Delegate, this is one of the top priorities – making sure that United States citizens have first priority to jobs.

Annually the CNMI receives non-competitive and formula grants, CNMI employees work hard to apply and manage these grants.  These grants bring in money to the CNMI.  These grants we already have.  A Delegate should work on bringing in New and Additional money and industries.  New and Additional Federal Grants are just one-part of a larger picture of economic recovery.

The Military Build-up is another economic engine.  The Delegate and the CNMI Elected Leaders need to work together to maximize the benefits and minimize the negative impact.  If we are united, we can insure that the U.S. Military spend its money “Outside the Fence” for example buying fruits and vegetables from local farmers, and using the power, water and sewer from the local government, etc.  This will allow for U.S. military money to remain in the CNMI economy which means jobs for the people of the CNMI.

Another economic engine is the creation of a shipyard in lower base; the Governor has been pushing for this for 2 years.  This allows for U.S. Navy and U.S. flagged vessels to be repaired in the CNMI. This requires the U.S. Congress to amend Title 10 USC § 7310.  The creation of a dry-dock facilities will create jobs and bring in a new source of revenue for the CNMI.  This means jobs for U.S. Citizens that pay $18, $20, and more for skilled workers.

It’s not an excuse to say “am only a non-voting delegate”.  It’s not enough to say “I cannot vote on the main floor”.  Look at Guam, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C. – their Delegates are also non-voting members but still they manage to get their concerns push through Congress. A CNMI Delegate must exert more effort to fully realize the role of the Office of the Delegate in DC.  A CNMI Delegate must take full advantage to coordinate, mobilize and lead the CNMI residents living in the United States especially in areas such as Seattle, Portland, San Diego and other areas to leverage U.S. Congressional members in those areas to support the CNMI.  For example, this is a common legislative strategy use by Puerto Rico especially in New York where there is a large population of Puerto Ricans.  The insular areas are unique in that when residents move to the U.S. mainland they continue to be connected to their home-island by family and home.  As Delegate I will not over-look this vital resource to push much needed legislation.

In conclusion, let me mention the realities of what I mean by working together.  Candidates cannot attack each other or attack the elected leaders of the CNMI and still claim that if elected they will work together.  It is the unfortunate nature of politics and political parties that often times candidates in the heat of campaigning forget that harsh words linger after the election.  You only have to read the newspaper to see the daily attacks and animosity between our current delegate against our CNMI elected leaders, or the harsh words of the current delegate against the delegate of Guam and other territories and even against the RNC Chairman.  This is not the way to build bridges and serve the people of the CNMI.

The past two years have been a missed opportunity.  Let us elect a candidate that can work with the CNMI Leaders, with other Delegates, and insure that the interest and concerns of the people of the Commonwealth are united in one voice, one direction.

Softball Fundraising Tournament

Schedule of Games

• Friday, September 24, 2010:

6:30pm	OFLAK	vs.	LALI 4
7:30pm	POKSU	vs.	BATOS LOCOS
8:30pm	CHAGI FAN!	vs.	’87 MID LIFE CRISIS
9:30pm	GARANIONS	vs.	CHAGI TALO!

• Saturday, September 25, 2010:

9:00am	TARAPAS	vs.	MATANSA
10:15am	’86 THRILLERS	vs.	TI BISNES MU
11:30am	VANDALIZERS	vs.	SAIPAL
12:45pm	NABUTTI	vs.	BEN’S BOYZ

All games will be played at the Capital Hill Baseball Field

**THIS IS A DOUBLE ELIMINATION TOURNAMENT.  THE OUTCOME OF EACH GAME WILL DETERMINE WHEN THE TEAMS WILL PLAY NEXT.  THE ANNOUNCER WILL INFORM EACH TEAM AFTER EVERY GAME. **

Flyer

Waiver

Roster

Thank you to Rota Mayor Melchor Mendiola, Rota Chairman of Committee to Elect Joseph Norita Camacho. Also Thank you to Rota Municipal Council Chairman George Hocog, Rota Vice Chair of the Committee to Elect Joseph Norita Camacho. Many thanks to all the supporters and voters of Rota who open their homes and shared their concerns. A very special Thank You to our CNMI Gov. Fitial for joining CAMACHO FOR CONGRESS in Rota”