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Third Regular Session of Congress convenes

POHNPEI, Palikir (FSM Information Service): May 2000 - A bang from a gavel from a U.S. Senator announced the opening of the third regular session of the 11th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia this morning in Palikir.

The Speaker of the FSM Congress Jack Fritz announced the opening of this session with a gavel presented to him from U.S. Senator Majority Leader Trent Lott.

The Speaker said that the gavel symbolizes the special warm relationship the FSM has with the United States and that he hopes this continues for a very long time.

The Speaker received the gavel from Lott when the FSM Joint Committee for Compact Economic Negotiations met in San Francisco, California, during the second round of negotiations, earlier this month.

Senators Fritz, Joseph Urusemal, Resio Moses, Manny Mori, Peter Christian, Dohsis Halbert, Wagner Lawrence, and Isaac Figir were in attendance.

Before the gavel came down, the Sokehs Pah Youth Choir sang the national anthem and the invocation was given.

Visitors' seating in the Congress was almost filled to capacity. Among the special guests introduced were FSM President Leo A. Falcam and his cabinet; Chuuk State Governor Ansito Walter; U.S. Ambassador Dianne Watson; members of a special U.S. military team that has arrived to give assistance in fighting the cholera that has recently broken out; Chuuk State Governor Ansito Walter; and Yap Acting Chief Justice Andrew Ruepong.

After appointing Senator Urusemal as Chair to the Committee to Wait on the President and reading a list of resolutions to be considered, Congress adjourned until 10 a.m. Wednesday.