Thank you!

On behalf of the Rios family, my mother, Emilia Taisacan Rios, and my siblings, Remay, Roy, Joey, and I would like to say “thank you” from the bottom of our hearts for your thoughts, prayers, words of encouragement, love, and guidance during a time of sorrow, sadness, and grief for our family due to the loss of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother—former mayor Jose Santos Rios.

Un dangkulu na si yu’us ma’ase to Mayor David Apatang and his hardworking staff for spearheading and organizing a beautiful memorial at the Saipan & Northern Islands Memorial Kiyosku Leadership Courtyard in Susupe. A huge and special thank you to all Saipan Municipal Council members including Luis Castro, Antonia Tudela, and Diego Kaipat. Dad always had fond memories as a member of the Council and was proud of his achievements during his tenure. As humble as dad may be, I am sure he was with us on that special day and would have been honored hearing the accolades from his peers as well as the remembrance of his accomplishments as mayor and as a member of the Saipan Municipal Council.

My dad’s name on the SNIMC Leadership wall symbolized not only his achievements for the people of the Commonwealth, but also showed that he was in good company with those who have worked so hard for our islands to ensure that we determined our own destiny and that our voices were heard. Sitting there in that courtyard and listening to all the wonderful things about dad was both heartwarming and overwhelming.

Thank you, Gov. Ralph Torres and Lt. Gov. Victor Hocog for taking time out of your extremely busy schedules to say kind words about our father and for the presentation of the CNMI flag and plaque honoring him. Thank you U.S. Congressman Kilili and staff (Mike and Tina) for presenting dad with a flag and recognition as a former mayor. Your words of kindness and tribute will never be forgotten. Thank you, members of the Legislature, including Speaker Ralph Demapan, Vice Speaker Janet Maratita

Rep. Joe Deleon Guerrero, Rep. Ed Propst, Rep. Angel Demapan, Rep. JP Sablan, Rep. Vinnie Sablan, Rep. Blas Attao, Rep. Donald Barcinas, Rep. Glen Maratita, Rep. Villagomez, Rep. Blanco, and Rep. Dela Cruz for your words of encouragement and appreciation for dad’s accomplishments and for honoring him and remembering him. Thank you to all the senators—Senate President Arnold Palacios, Sen. Francisco Borja, Sen. Justo Quitugua, Sen. Paul Manglona, Sen. Frank Cruz, Sen. Steve Mesngon, Sen. Jude Hofscheider, Sen. Sixto Igisomar, and Sen. Terry Santos for scheduling a special session at the Legislature honoring dad’s political accomplishments and achievements during the times when the Commonwealth was in its infancy.

When my father started getting ill, he used to ask us, “Do you think we will be remembered when we die?” I am sure he knows now that indeed he was not forgotten and that he helped pave the way for many others, just as those who paved the way for him. Nelson Mandela once said, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived; it is what difference we have made to the life of others that will determine the significance of the life that we lead.”

For those of you whom I have failed to mention specifically by name, please understand that it was unintentional. To the public who attended his memorial, thank you for taking time out of your schedule to share such an important day with us. Our family is eternally grateful to you for remembering dad. To our family and friends, near and far, we love you all. There are simply no words that can express our heartfelt gratitude to all of you. In one way or another, you all have helped eased our pain. I would be remiss if I did not give a special thank you to my sister, Remay McNally, for a wonderful appreciation speech on behalf of the family. Dad would have been proud of you.

Marie Rios Martinez
Saipan & Seattle, Washington