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Members of Youth Congress hold first session
Youth leaders from different schools in the CNMI were sworn in as members of the 15th Youth Congress on Saturday at the House chamber on Capital Hill.
The new Youth Congress members include Reynafe N. Aniga, representing Saipan Southern School; Kayjon T. Boadi, representing Kagman High School; Gerald K. Crisostomo, Jr., representing Tinian Jr./Sr. High School; William P. Hinson, representing Grace Christian Academy; Henry Kyle B. Hofschneider, representing Marianas Baptist Academy; Catherine Juneel C. Manglona, representing Dr. Rita H. Inos Jr./Sr. High School; Thomas Lee A. Manglona II, representing Mount Carmel School; and Roselyn B. Tanghal, representing Marianas High School.
Members of the 15th Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Youth Congress pose for a group photo after being sworn in at the House chamber on Capital Hill on Saturday. (JOEL D. PINAROC)
After the taking their oaths as members of the Youth Congress, and designating a speaker, the youth senators immediately held their first session.
Youth senator Manglona, who was elected as Youth Congress speaker, presided over the session.
Manglona said one of the programs he will be pushing is more student participation in socio-civic activities. He said there is a need for more members of the youth to pitch in and help improve the community.
Rep. Vinson Sablan (Ind-Saipan) said his office will always be open to the young leaders, should they require his help.
House Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan) echoed Sablan, saying his office is open and that he is encouraging the youth leaders to work with lawmakers.
He said the role of the Youth Congress has become “very important.”
The Northern Mariana Islands Youth Congress was established by Public Law 8-27 and was repealed and re-enacted as Public Law 17-22.
The Youth Congress can act as a legislative body with the power to make rules, establish committees, hold hearings, pass resolutions, and prepare and pass bills, which will be forwarded to the Governor’s Office and officers of the Legislature for disposition.
The Youth Congress is expected to serve as a training ground for the CNMI’s future leaders. It holds a youth conference within the Commonwealth at least once a year using its own budget.
