Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

Congress confirms FSM's first woman Ambassador

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): October 4, 2011 - The Second Regular Session of the Seventeenth Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia has confirmed the FSM's first woman ambassador.

During this morning's session, Congress took up the President's nominations for his Cabinet positions, Heads of Agencies and Offices of the National Government along with the posts for FSM Representatives abroad, 23 nominations all together. Congress confirmed six of the 23 during the morning session and deferred the remaining nominations to the afternoon.

The six nominations confirmed during the morning session are:

Congressional Resolution 17-16, which, in a vote of 13/1, Congress confirmed the nomination of Jane Jimmy Chigiyal to the position of FSM's Permanent Representative to the United Nations for which she becomes the first woman Ambassador of the Federated States of Micronesia. Chigiyal is among the most senior members of the Department of Foreign Affairs with extensive background in the foreign services. Prior to her nomination to the UN, Chigiyal served as the Deputy Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Congressional Resolution 17-17, in a vote of 10/4, Congress confirmed the nomination of Lorin S. Robert to the position of Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Robert is a seasoned diplomat with extensive background and history in the foreign services. He will resume his position of Secretary of Foreign Affairs, having served in the same position during the Administration's first term from 2007 - 2011 for which he was re-nominated to continue.

In a vote of 8/6, Congress defeated Congressional Resolution 17-24, the nomination of Ismael Dobich to the position of FSM Consul General in the State of Hawaii. The resolution was put through reconsideration but was again defeated with the same numbers.

Congressional Resolution 17-25, in a vote of 11/3, confirmed the nomination of Robert Ruecho to the position of FSM Consul General in Guam. Ruecho is a veteran public servant having been a former Governor of the State of Yap and one of the longest serving Speakers of the Yap Legislature. Prior to his nomination, Ruecho served as Guam Government representative to the Micronesian organizations and groups on Guam.

Congressional Resolution 17-31, is the nomination of Samson Pretrick which Congress confirmed in a vote of 14/0 to be the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Pretrick also has extensive background in the diplomatic service, especially with postings abroad. Prior to his nomination, Pretrick held the position of FSM Ambassador to Fiji and prior to that, served as the FSM Consul General in Hawaii.

Congressional Resolution 17-32 was the final action of the morning session. Congress confirmed in a vote of 10/4 the nomination of Gerson Jackson to the position of FSM Ambassador Plenipotentiary to Fiji. Jackson has extensive background in public service having served the State of Kosrae in various capacities including being a former Lt. Governor. Prior to his nomination, Jackson held the post of FSM Consul General in Guam.

Following the confirmations, Congress went into recess to continue with the remaining 17 nominations at 2:00 pm in the afternoon.