Legislature honors USCG’s Igisomar

U.S Coast Guard Capt. Christopher Chase, third right, joins the family of Lt. Christine Igisomar in receiving a resolution commending her years of service to the country in yesterday’s presentation at the House chamber. (Kevin Calibo)

The CNMI Legislature honored U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Christine T. Igisomar yesterday with a resolution for her service in the U.S. Armed Forces’ branch that defends the country’s coast and enforces maritime law.

Rep. Ivan A. Blanco (R-Saipan) introduced House Resolution 20-9 that was also with concurrence from the 20th Senate when now Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios was the Senate president.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam commander Capt. Christopher Chase, who accepted the resolution on Igisomar’s behalf, said that Igisomar could be the first Chamorro female to earn the lieutenant commander rank, the highest so far for a CNMI native. “We’re pretty sure she is going to be the first female Chamorro LCdr. in the Coast Guard, but we’re still looking into that. But, to advance to that rank, is a first for the CNMI people.”

Blanco said that the Legislature found out that Igisomar has not been commended yet for her efforts after returning to the CNMI last year to recruit residents to the USCG Academy. “H.R. 20-9 is to honor [Igisomar] for her designation as the recipient of the federal Asian-Pacific Council Military meritorious service award.”

“[She] also has a plethora of accomplishments and accolades for her stellar leadership. The Legislature honors individuals who have shown commitment to serving our country. She has promoted diversity and provided equal employment opportunities to our youth to the federal workforce.”

He added that H.R. 20-9 is a testament of her accomplishments so that future generations may know of her work, and admire her character and determination to bring the greater good to all.

Igisomar’s mom, Connie Torres, thanked everyone who made it possible for the resolution. “Thank you also Capt. [Christopher] Chase for accepting it. It is an honor for you to be here.”

“On behalf of Christine and the entire CNMI, thank you. I’m so happy our Legislature and the people of the CNMI are proud of what she has done to our community. Now they are checking if she’s the first female Chamorro that earned the highest rank in the Coast Guard.”

Chase thanked Igisomar’s family for allowing him to receive the commendation on behalf of the Saipan native. “It’s an honor to accept this on behalf of Christine. She’s an outstanding representative of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

“But, more importantly, as the representative of the CNMI and the Chamorro people. She’s an amazing woman, doing great things for the U.S. Coast Guard. She continues to recruit more Chamorros to our small service.”

He added that he knows that Igisomar is looking forward to hanging the commendation on her wall. “She’s in Virginia right now and getting her postgraduate…in human resources. I’m just down in Guam.

“She has done amazing things in Guam and the CNMI to recruit young Chamorros to the Coast Guard, specifically for the academy where she also graduated from. In fact, there are three CNMI folks getting their physical in Guam as part of their application due to her efforts.”