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Youth Congress tables bill on CNMI flag pledge after broad testimony on language and identity
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Summary
The Youth Congress Committee on Education voted to table Youth Congress Bill 20-01, which would establish an official pledge to the CNMI flag honoring the commonwealth's official languages and cultures, after extensive public testimony and requests for additional community hearings.
The Youth Congress Committee on Education voted to table Youth Congress Bill 20-01, a proposal to establish an official pledge to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands flag that would honor multiple official languages and cultural groups. The chair said the committee will hold additional meetings and community hearings before taking further action.
The bill prompted extensive public comment from cultural leaders, government officials and residents who urged more research, broader community outreach and careful drafting. The committee moved to table the measure so members could review the public feedback and hold follow-up meetings with stakeholders including the Public School System.
The measure, introduced to the committee as Youth Congress Bill 20-01, drew testimony both in support and opposition. Felix Nogis of the Carolinian Affairs office asked the committee to restore language he said had been deleted from prior versions of the pledge. "Please consider making them in," Nogis said, urging inclusion of traditional terms during the pledge recital.
Liana Sablon Hofschneider, speaking for herself and on behalf of the Matua Council for Native Student Advancement, urged extensive committee study and community hearings across villages and schools. "I challenge you to please put it in the committee," Hofschneider said, and described archaeological and cultural concerns she said merited public input.
Several public officials and educators told the committee to use the review period to gather documented historical and linguistic evidence. Commissioner of Education Lawrence Camacho told the youth lawmakers he supported their efforts and offered agency assistance. "We are in full support of what it is that you're trying to do, and we'll be there to help and guide you," Camacho said. Dr. Rizalina Liwan, senior director for curriculum and instruction for the CNMI Public School System, asked the committee to "think deeply, have some reflection, and have conversations" about language policy and educational impacts.
Committee leaders said every statement submitted at the meeting would be considered and that the panel will schedule meetings to solicit in-person testimony in villages and schools. The chair said the committee received comments from the Indigenous Affairs Office and the Carolinian Affairs Office and will continue fact-finding before taking further action.
A motion to table the bill was made and seconded. Senator Munich Mendiola moved to table the bill pending further review and comment; the chair announced the motion carried and the bill was tabled. The committee recorded that it would arrange additional public meetings and accept written submissions for the record.
The committee concluded its meeting after announcing the next steps; no further committee votes on the substance of the pledge were taken at this session.
