Daniel O'Kiragwa, president of the Northern Marianas Descent Corporation, addressed the CNMI Youth Congress during public comment and urged the youth members to pay attention to legislative initiatives and constitutional provisions that he said affect the future of Northern Marianas descent communities.

“O'Kiragwa said, “I would like to suggest that you pay attention to legislative initiatives 24-2 and 24-3 because it has a direct implication to your future.” He also urged members to review the Covenant, specifically section 805, and Articles 11 and 12 of the CNMI Constitution. He told the Youth Congress that Article 11, section 6(b) allows interest earned by trustees from investments to be remitted to the general fund and said those interest earnings derive from land-lease proceeds on public land that Article 11, section 1 links to Northern Marianas descent ownership.

O'Kiragwa recommended the Youth Congress consider drafting a resolution urging the territorial legislature to convene the Fourth Constitutional Convention to clarify those provisions. He said clearer constitutional language would reduce future disputes over who qualifies as Northern Marianas descent and how trust revenues are used. He closed by inviting the members to a luncheon hosted by the Northern Marianas Descent Corporation.

The Youth Congress did not take formal action on those recommendations during the session; members thanked O'Kiragwa and said they would look into the matters he raised.