Sweeney: Continue lobby efforts in D.C. • New York congressman says U.S. Congress deprived of real situation in CNMI

Saying the Clinton administration has been unfair in providing members of the U.S. Congress of the real situation in the CNMI, Rep. John E. Sweeney (R-NY) emphasized Saturday the need to continue lobbying efforts in Washington so as to thwart attempts of a federal takeover.

“I think they (Clinton administration) have turned a blind eye. I suspect that they have done it with other motivations in mind,” he said.

Mr. Sweeney told business leaders during the installation of the new officers of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce that they have an important role to play in informing the people in Washington about CNMI’s efforts to become self-sustaining and carry out changes to make life better for the people.

“The reputation of the Commonwealth is not really what ought to be. I come here and found that the truth projected to me in Washington was not the truth at all,” he said.

While there have been criticisms about alleged poor working conditions of garment workers in the Northern Marianas, Mr. Sweeney said the situation in the U.S. mainland is far worse as he joined enforcement agents in banging down doors of sweatshop establishments in New York.

The Chamber has been actively involved in lobbying against the federalization of labor and immigration as it will result in the collapse of the CNMI economy.

While the Northern Marianas is a U.S. Commonwealth, Mr. Sweeney noted that its economy is closely tied to Asia thus, it was severely affected by the regional crisis. Such efforts by the Chamber in opposing attempts to take away local labor and immigration control were recognized by the Republican legislator.

“The Chamber has done affirmative steps that can be a model in some other communities around the country. Without your work in the Chamber, it could have been worse. You brought to the eyes of many leaders in Washington that the people of Saipan are not giving up, that you are hopeful,” said Mr. Sweeney.

As the CNMI prepares for the renegotiation of the privileges that were given under the Covenant, Mr.. Sweeney said members of the U.S. Congress must have an understanding of the unique circumstances of the Northern Marianas.

“I think, we as members of the U.S. Congress need to build some flexibility in our understanding of the situation,” he said. In recognizing the contribution of the garment manufacturers on the island’s economy, Mr. Sweeney said Washington should be made to understand that the departure of the industry will devastate the Northern Marianas.

Meanwhile, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio said he agrees with Mr. Sweeney that CNMI must continue to lobby in Washington to protect the interests of the people of the Commonwealth.