There’s a lot to be thankful for, friends

I remember the old days when we travel with our over or undersized suits or inappropriately coordinated ties parading into committee rooms in the US Congress trying to make inroads into the minds of the powers that be most of whom have no idea that we even exist. We genuflect with mea culpas hoping that our tiny and often inaudible voices are heard by people who make decisions for us.

Imagine if this relationship still holds true today between the NMI and key members of pertinent committees who, by the very nature of our relationship, still have every right to change the basic document that brought us into the living room of the most powerful nation on earth — our mother country — the great US of A. We’d be the victims of whimsical dictates, sanctions, threats and bully pulpits. This has changed significantly to which I ask that we jointly give thanks to Divine Providence for giving us this most treasured blessing.

In 1995, former Governor Froilan c. Tenorio retained the services of Preston Gates, one of the nation’s leading legal and lobbying firm to carry loads of unheard messages from the NMI to key members of Congress about our aspiration to retain the integrity of the Covenant Agreement, specifically, the provision that guaranteed our rights to self-government. However strange it may seem, freedom, friends, is an issue that one must constantly guard and defend with real heavyweights on Capitol Hill.

Through Preston Gates, we were visited by key staff members of the US Congress to grant them the opportunity to see for themselves what these islands are all about — a laboratory of democracy — against well sanitized and orchestrated reports from the US Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs who’s decided to be our strongest adversary rather than partner under the current relationship. It was far more inexpensive bringing people who matter on decisions affecting the islands than it is to literally pull these isles with a tug boat — like dragging an iceberg into the Potomac River — for greater visibility. To do so would have been to confirm stupidity.

Through Preston Gates, we were visited by Congressman Tom DeLay, who openly declared “I came here at the invitation of my friend Jack Abramoff”. I was there and shook the hands with The Man To See on Capitol Hill now arguably the most influential and feared Republican in Congress. His stature and power inside the Republican Conference scared off potential challengers where he not only played “kingmaker” in the campaign for Speaker and National Republican Committee Chairman, but also quietly seized more authority for himself in the upcoming 106th Congress.

According to Roll Call, a Washington, D.C. weekly publication, in the conference call with Speaker-to-be Bob Livingston on Nov. 7, the day after he declared his candidacy, DeLay asked for — and is expected to receive— more control over the leadership’s “K-Street” operation, a bigger budget and more input on — read carefully now — what and when legislation will be considered next year. He also gets to decide who among Livingston’s key staff people are retained or transferred elsewhere.

In a recent interview, Livingston said: “He’s our Whip. If we don’t involve our Whip team then we’ve made major mistakes. He’s got to deliver the votes, and he’s got the toughest job of any of us”. Several members said that DeLay and his operation undoubtedly will control a large voting bloc in the 106th Congress. “Conservatives look to DeLay for leadership…on leadership races, tactics, etc.”, said Rep. John Doolittle (R.Calif.), a member of the House Committee on Resources. DeLay is known for his straightforward views, honesty and powerful leadership. It is for this reason that he’s the most feared member of Congress on Capitol Hill.

So what’s my beef on this Thanksgiving Day about the now most feared National Republican in Congress? It’s important to understand the fragility and dangers of toying around with personal friends of Congressman DeLay. With a narrow Republican Majority, it becomes even more dangerous how the fate of these islands pans out in the 106th Congress when it convenes in January.

We’re not trying to protect anybody’s interest other than the rights of posterity to eventually engage in building and strengthening the blocks of self-government. It’s a call to duty of local leadership and there’s no two ways about it either. Therefore, we need to scrounge what little funds we have to continue the winning efforts of the Marianas Team who’s successfully blocked Interior’s warped efforts to federalize these islands. Friends, we don’t deserve being slammed right smack to pre-colonial days.

With this, please join me in extending our most profound thanks to Jack Abramoff, Congressman Tom DeLay, his colleagues and key staff people who now have a clear understanding of the islands; the garment industry who, despite all the unjustified bashing, now stands as the strongest economic pillar amidst the tourism industry having gone deep south; Governor Pete P. Tenorio; Willie Tan; David M. Sablan; Bishop Tomas Camacho and Fathers Gary and Isaac and all the clergy; and most importantly, you, my brothers and sisters. Let us give thanks to Divine Providence for all our blessings. Happy Thanksgiving!