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Fritz Called for First Special Session of the 10^th Congress to Convene in Chuuk State from July 28^th to August 10^th

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): July 4, 1997 - On July 2, 1997, Congress Speaker informed FSM President Jacob Nena that he is calling for the First Special Session of the 10^th Congress to be held in the Weno, State of Chuuk, convening on July 28^th and adjourning on August 10^th, 1997, pursuant to Article 10, Section 16, of the FSM Constitution and the relevant provisions of the FSM Code and the Official Rules of Procedures of the 10^th Congress.

Among the issues left pending before Congress are President's nominations of cabinet positions requiring advice and consent of Congress, the proposed restructuring of the National Government, the proposed amendments to the FSM foreign investment law, and other priority matters of interest to the nation.

Speaker Fritz invited President Nena and his cabinet members, the Chief Justice and other justices of the FSM Supreme Court and State Courts, State Governors, Speaker and members, officials of state governments, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional leaders, municipal government officials and the general public to join the Congress during this special session.

This will be the second time during the 18 years of Congress history that a session is held away from Pohnpei State, the seat of the FSM Government and the second time a session of Congress is held in Chuuk State, the first was in 1980, according to a Congress release.

Holding a Congress session away from Palikir, Pohnpei, presents an opportunity for the residents of the host state to observe Congress in action. However, it also means that more money is needed to defray travel, logistics and per diem costs. Congress included $70,000 for Special Session in its Fiscal Year 1997 Budget Supplemental appropriation, Public Law No 10-4.