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Congress praises Dr. Pretrick

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): August 29, 2003 - Members acted on five proposed Congressional Bills and two Congressional Resolutions during this morning session. Congress deferred actions on three of the proposed bills to the next day session and passed on second and final reading on the other two. The two passed bills are basically to amend Public Laws 12-12 and 12-50 to change the uses of certain funds for immediate project needs.

And due to the remaining load of work which Congress needs to act upon, a Resolution was introduced by the Floor Leader, Henry C. Asugar and adopted by Members to extend the Second Special Session for an additional 7 days to allow the continuation of public hearings being held by each respective committees.

Congress also adopted C.R. m13-41, recognizing Dr. Eliuel Pretrick's long tenure service, commitment and dedication to serving the Micronesian people and in representing the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia in major international, regional and local organizations and agencies dedicated to improve the lives of the people of the Pacific. Dr. Eliuel Pretrick was the Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Social Affairs at the National Government.

Senator Jack Fritz, once again, took over the floor during Miscellaneous Business speaking on behalf of the Chuuk delegation in supporting the resolution and to praise Dr. Eliuel Pretrick's contribution to the Government and the people of the Federated States of Micronesia. The following remarks were delivered by the Senator At-Large, Jack Fritz from the State of Chuuk.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this resolution because I think a lot of times many of us take it for granted the situation that our government is currently enjoying at present. But a lot of the benefits that we have gotten so far have come through the results of a lot of people who have nurtured the Federation from its inception up to now and Dr. Pretrick is one of those individuals who has helped this government reach the state that we are in at present.

I may not have an opportunity to be present during the reception this evening because we are supposed to bring food and I don't have anything to bring and I am embarrassed if I show up and don't have anything, but I do want to say from the bottom of my heart to express our delegation's and our leadership in Chuuk's and the people's sincere gratitude for the service that this gentleman has done to our country. I know that he will leave us but I ask that he continue to pray for this young nation as we are just about to move it into new, uncharted waters. And we surely can need his prayers for a country which I believe he loved just like the rest of us. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker".