Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

Fritz and Peyal sworn in

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): March 14, 2003 - FSM Supreme Court Associate Justice Dennis Yamase, in a one-day special session, administered the oath of office to two more Members of the 13th FSM Congress on Saturday, July 12. Senator Jack Fritz of Chuuk and Senator Ramon Peyal of Yap took their oath of office in the Congressional Chamber in Palikir at 3:30 p.m. The two new Members representing the States of Chuuk and Yap, respectively, were the winners of the July special elections held to fill the positions in the 13th Congress left open after former Senators Joseph J. Urusemal and Redley Killion assumed the two highest positions in the nation as President and Vice President, respectively.

Senator Jack Fritz is the former Speaker of the Congress for 16 years and representing the Southern Namoneas region in Chuuk in the same FSM Congress for 22 years. He is now representing the State of Chuuk in the State's at-large seat.

Senator Ramon Peyal is the former Administrative Officer for the Yap State Congressional Delegation Office. He worked, prior to the Yap Delegations Office, at the Yap Department of Public Affairs as Political Affairs Officer and the Yap Department of Education as a teacher. He now serves as Yap State representative in the States' at-large seat.

Congress adopted two resolutions; one to express appreciation of the Congress and the people of the FSM to the athletes, coaches and other officials who participated in the South Pacific Games, representing the government and people of the FSM, and one to extend the one-day special session for five more days.

Congress recessed and will re convene on Tuesday, July 15, 2003.