---

13^th Congress convened

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): May 12, 2003 - Congress wrote another page of its history today when it unanimously Senator Peter M. Christian of Pohnpei as the Speaker of the 13^th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia. Senator Claude H. Phillip of Kosrae is the Vice Speaker and Senator Henry C. Asugar of Chuuk was selected as the Floor Leader. Congress continued to write that page when it elected the sixth President of the Federated States of Micronesia, His excellency Joseph J. Urusemal of Yap, and Redley Killion of Chuuk as the Vice President.

Speaker Christian appointed Senators Dohsis Halbert of Ponpei to chair the Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations, Sabino S. Asor of Chuuk the Committee on Ways and Means, Alik L. Alik of Kosrae the Resources and Development Committee, Isaac Figir of Yap the Committee on External Affairs, Moses Nelson of Chuuk the Transportation and Communications Committee and Resio S. Moses of Pohnpei to chair the Committee on Health, Education and Social Affairs.

FSM Associate Justice Dennis Yamase administered the oath of office to the members, while Associate Justice Martin Ynug administered the oaths for the President and Vice President.

The chamber was packed with dignitaries, ambassadors and officials of all three levels of government, traditional chiefs, church leaders and interested citizens.

The Kepin Protestant Catholic Youth Organization of Nanponmal sang the National Anthem and Father Jack Curran delivered the invocation.

The events of the convening day were broadcast live throughout all the four states via Telecom.