Press Release from the Friends of the Monument

Northern Marianas Public School Students Submit 500 Letters to President Bush

22 October 2008

Contact:

Ike Cabrera: inac1@pticom.com; (670) 256-5648 (h); 483-8426 (m)
Agnes McPhetres: agnesm42@gmail.com; 670-235-2430 (h)
Andrew Salas: andrewssalas@hotmail.com; 670-285-3740 (c); 233-8200 (o)

Saipan — Today the Friends of the Monument (FOM), a coalition of indigenous and resident people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) who support designation and protection of the important ocean resources along the Mariana Trench* announced the submission of over 500 letters to President Bush written by local youth.

Throughout October, FOM visited classrooms and presented information on the pros and cons of a CNMI marine national monument to over 1000 local junior high and high school students. Opponents of the monument proposal were accorded a similar opportunity. Several of the teachers then had their students write letters to President Bush expressing their opinion about whether or not a monument should be established in CNMI waters.

“An overwhelming number of student letters were written in support of the proposed monument,” said 8th grade science teacher Kimberly Vaillancourt.

Vaillancourt brought some of her students to American Memorial National Park on Saipan to turn in her school’s letters. The students, who recently completed a class assignment which included a public debate on the monument issue, watched as the National Park Service representative individually logged each comment letter.

“It was a good lesson in civics for the students,” observed Vaillancourt.

Tenth grade language arts teacher Bryan Jones agreed. “Over 500 students participated in the spirited discussion and debate regarding the proposed monument. The vast majority concluded the idea would be a benefit for conservation, for the economy and for the future.”

On August 25, 2008 President George W. Bush directed his federal agencies to assess several sites in the Pacific for increased conservation and protection, including the possible designation of new marine monuments. One of the sites identified by the White House is a portion of the Mariana Trench within Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and adjacent waters. A proposal for protecting this area of more than 115,000 square miles has been debated in the CNMI for almost a year.

James Connaughton, Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and representatives from the U.S. departments of Commerce and Interior recently visited the CNMI to discuss the President’s marine conservation initiative with the Governor Benigno Fitial and other CNMI officials. Until October 26, 2008 comments on the proposal can be sent to: oceans@ceq.eop.gov

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*The Mariana Trench is the deepest point on the globe at over 36,000 feet deep. Mt. Everest dropped into the Trench would have more than a mile of water above it.

Friends of the Monument Web site: http://marianamonument.blogspot.com

Underwater Volcano in the Marianas

This video was taken closer to Rota, but showcases some of the cool things that might be undiscovered in the monument.

A Sea of Orange

Many of the Friends of the Monument were in attendance for the Joint Session of the Commonwealth Congress where James Connaughton testified on the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument.

Saipan Tribune Editorial

Compromise on marine monument plan

Despite its tentative nature, recent reports of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and legislative leaders being more open to the idea of a national marine monument in the northernmost islands of the Marianas chain is welcome news, at least in so far as advancing the dialog on the issue is concerned.

Dialog, after all, is what should have been happening in the first place. The proposal was intended to draw people to the table so everyone can weigh the relevant issues and make decisions based on the merits of the plan. Instead, the issue has created battlegrounds, pitting people against one another and escalating the whole subject into epic proportions on the scale of a Mahabharata battle between the forces of good and evil.

Worse, people have been content to play along as two-dimensional caricatures of themselves, painting each other in the most unflattering of lights and refusing to listen to each other in the belief that they alone are right, or taking umbrage at imagined slights to their inalienable rights. Lost in all the noise, confusion, and animosity was the ability to imagine that there might be a third or a fourth alternative, a common ground where people can come together in the name of conservation and national patrimony.

The suggestion by White House Council on Environmental Quality chief James Connaughton that further talks about the monument plan may result in an agreement to restore the CNMI’s control over "submerged lands" is the cold dash of water needed to snap everyone out of their hysteria and restore some semblance of calm, and the local leadership’s statement about being more receptive to the monument proposal is exactly what everyone needs to hear.

A compromise on the matter is being offered and this time, it must be evaluated with a level head. The submerged lands issue is no small potatoes and for the CNMI to regain what has been stripped from it would be a great boon to the Commonwealth, not just economically but also historically. The loss of the submerged lands was never imagined nor contemplated by our Covenant negotiators and the fact that we lost our right to those resources because of the Covenant was a bitter pill to swallow. Regaining the submerged lands now would remedy this unintended consequence.

At the same time, it would allow the Commonwealth to explore all potential economic benefits these underwater resources may have-natural riches that are currently off limits to the CNMI because they do not belong to our exclusive economic zone. If we regain the right to manage these resources, this will have a more direct-and immediate-impact on the local economy since they are closer to the populated islands and not located hundreds of miles away where the only visitors are illegal fishermen from other countries. (Saipan Tribune)

Alternative Proposal

The monument opposition has finally put forth a proposal of their own.

Marianas Variety
Monday, 27 October 2008

THE current local issue regarding the proposal to establish a National Marine Monument has created much public discussion and debate.

Some of the assertive statements I have heard are actually informative, at times even entertaining, and some unfortunately tend to manipulate the fact with, at the very least, high speculative benefits and hyperbole. It is funny when you hear people try to expound on something they have only heard rather on something they have thoroughly researched and analyzed. It is like the naturally blind leading the legally blind.

Both sides of the issue received much attention, at times with passion infrequently seen on these islands. It seems, for the most part, that every time someone speaks out in support of the monument, someone else puts forth an equally convincing argument against it.

The fact that proponents of the monuments felt a sudden need to rush a monumental decision that would affect generations to come, collaboratively with President George W. Bush last few days in office, arouses suspicions among many of our good people, and for good reasons. (Do the proponents make you feel like a lifter in urgent need of clemency before Bush leaves the White House?) The decision to establish a national marine monument is not urgently needed now. Moreover, there is still a lot of information needed to make not just a national decision for the sake of Socratic reasoning, but for our own sake, and for the sake of the future of our children and their children yet to be born. Maybe this is something that we should take a long hard look, continue to study with passion, and allow our kids to participate in frequent debates before we put it out for vote.

Look at the “Covenant.” Many of our people now felt that we have given up a lot to be a non-voting American. We have given up our independence for financial benefits and a better economy. Look at where our economy is today.

Look at Palau, with its rich marine life along the corridors of the world famous rock islands at its doorstep, it has successfully instituted strict internal controls on fishing and harvesting of marine resources and, more importantly, has not allowed “outsiders” to unilaterally force the issue. We have learned from Palau the meaning and value of independence. Maybe we can learn from them the virtues of patience and deliberation when it comes to managing and preserving our valuable marine resources.

This brings me to the purpose of this letter. If the National Marine Monument is to be accepted by the people of the Northern Marianas, hopefully after much more deliberation, I offer a proposition that would maximize the benefits for our people. It is no secret that with the pullout of the Marines from Okinawa, Guam and the CNMI will become the strategic fullback position. Expectedly, the military will need to conduct frequent battle exercises where it is allowed.

The fact is, from the military point of view, we live in the largest strategic location in this part of the world. Hence, we play a very crucial role in U.S. military defense plan; a role we can develop collaboratively. Utilizing the 200-mile economic zone provides the opportunity for the U.S. military and its allies to conduct extensive training exercises including but not limited to amphibious landing in Pagan and long-range missile tests to the island of Aguiguan, if I may be so bold to suggest. The CNMI has the potential to become the most active location for U.S. military training exercises in the Pacific.

In anticipation of the inevitable military presence here in the Northern Marianas, I would like to propose that we offer to the U.S. military a 99-year lease for the islands of Uracas, Maug, Asuncion, Pagan and Aguiguan for say 5 billion U.S. dollars. That sounds like a lot of money but 99 years is a very long time. Five billion dollars represent what the U.S. spends every 15 days trying to bring democracy to the people of Iraq. The value of this lease to the military to conduct their training and exercises for 99 years is priceless.

We can certainly use the money during this our worsening harsh economic time. With these funds, we can to take care of:

1. our unfunded Retirement Fund liabilities

2. our collapsing infrastructure

3. our inadequate health facilities

4. our declining scholarship fun

5. Tinian harbor break water

6. Saipan’s polluted lagoon

7. Rota’s hard-to-get-of-the ground casino industry

8. the budget shortfalls in various areas of public services

9. a beneficial vocational education system

10. our college

11. a set of magnet schools in the our secondary school system

12. and maybe we can finally attract more conscientious and qualified medical professionals on island so we can reduced the need to refer patients off-islands at millions of dollars per year

13. redeem all land compensation obligation including wetland

14. and on and on and on

The opportunities are endless if we plan carefully and waste not our energy trying to give away our valuable resources for free. We are limited only by our own imagination. The bottom-line is, collectively we can do so much good. We need to get beyond today and tomorrow and extend our vision farther into the future. For once, let us commit ourselves to becoming less reactive and more proactive.

It bothers me to think that if not for Pew the people of the Northern Marianas will not deliberate on its own on how to best manage and sustain its natural resources in their own best interest. No, I think not.

FRANK ALDAN
As Mahetog, Saipan

Frank Aldan is a former Commonwealth Representative.

Friends of the Monument Press Release

Friends of the Monument Release Petition with over 5500 signatures

21 October 2008

Contact:

Ike Cabrera: inac1@pticom.com; (670) 256-5648 (h); 483-8426 (m)
Agnes McPhetres: agnesm42@gmail.com; 670-235-2430 (h)
Andrew Salas: andrewssalas@hotmail.com; 670-285-3740 (c); 233-8200 (o)

Saipan — Today the Friends of the Monument (FOM), a coalition of indigenous and resident people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) who support designation and protection of the waters of the Mariana Trench* announced they have met their petition goal in support of a protected marine monument.

“More than 5500 local residents of the CNMI signed our petition in support of designating a monument in the waters around the three northernmost islands of the Mariana Islands,” said Ike Cabrera Chairman of FOM. “We will be submitting these signatures to the federal government this week as part of the comment period announced by President Bush.”

Andrew Salas, FOM vice chair, pointed out the significance of the thousands of signatures. “It wasn’t easy but over 60 individuals spent four months gathering the signatures. Our islands only have about 12,000 registered voters, and 65,000 residents. Fifty-five hundred signatures represent a tremendous endorsement of the marine conservation and the monument idea.”

On August 25, 2008 President George W. Bush directed his federal agencies to assess several sites in the Pacific for increased conservation and protection, including the possible designation of new marine monuments. One of the sites identified by the White House is a portion of the Mariana Trench within Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and adjacent waters. A proposal for protecting this area of more than 115,000 square miles has been debated in the CNMI for almost a year.

“Now that thousands of people in CNMI have spoken out in support of a marine monument,” continued Agnes McPhetres, Vice Chair of the FOM, “we would like to see more support for the concept from our elected officials. It’s an opportunity we shouldn’t pass up”

Concluded Cabrera, “We have worked hard to demonstrate to the federal government that the people of the CNMI support marine conservation and the proposed monument. We hope they listen.”

*The Mariana Trench is the deepest point on the globe at over 36,000 feet deep. Mt. Everest dropped into the Trench would have more than a mile of water above it.

Friends of the Monument Web site: http://marianamonument.blogspot.com

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From Walt

Bigger Days!

Bigger days are coming soon
don't ask me how I know
I feel it deep down in my gut
no way to prove or show

Brighter days are on the way
and I can hardly wait
With twice the sun as those before
I can't predict the date

Smoother days are on my path
goodbye to all the stress
A month, a year or by tonight
no clue, I must confess

I know it for the simple fact
that life's a ball they say
Sometimes it rolls to others and
sometimes it rolls my way!


Bigger Days
Walt’s Life Rhyme #178
© Walt F.J. Goodridge
“I share what I know,
so that others may grow!”
www.waltgoodridge.com

Press Release from the Friends of the Monument

Friends of the Monument Release Signature Advertisement

20 October 2008

Contact:

Ike Cabrera: inac1@pticom.com; (670) 256-5648 (h); 483-8426 (m)
Agnes McPhetres: agnesm42@gmail.com; 670-235-2430 (h)

Saipan — Ike Cabrera, Chairman of the Friends of the Monument, today announced the publication of a 4-page “signature” advertisement in the Saipan Tribune and Marianas Variety with over 2500 people from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

“The fact that so many local people are willing to speak out on this issue shows how important it is for the future of CNMI,” stated Ike Cabrera, chairman of Friends of the Monument. “We want this advertisement to demonstrate to the visiting federal officials the enormous public support there is for the proposed Mariana Trench Marine Monument.”

Friends of the Monument Vice Chair Agnes McPhetres said, "Signatures for the advertisement were gathered over the past four months by more than 60 volunteers. It’s been a real grassroots effort by many many people.”

The Friends of the Monument will be welcoming James Connaughton, Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Lyle Laverty, Assistant Secretary of the Interior and Tim Keeney, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce.

A public meeting will be held in Saipan on Monday October 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. In addition the Washington DC delegation will meet with the Governor, the Legislature and many local groups.

The proposal for designating a marine monument in CNMI waters under the Antiquities Act of 1906 is under consider by the Bush administration. The proposal includes possible conservation and protection of the waters surrounding the northernmost CNMI islands and portions of the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on the globe.

Friends of the Monument formed in the spring of 2008 to express the voice of the local community in CNMI. Its membership is made up of a cross section of indigenous and resident people of the CNMI who are dedicated to the conservation, preservation and protection of marine life and geological features of nearby waters and the proper management of the proposed Mariana Trench Marine National Monument.

Friends of the Monument Web site: http://marianamonument.blogspot.com

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Friends welcome the White House

W.O.W.!!!!

What a week!

Just a week ago this afternoon over 65 Friends of the Monument were standing in front of the Hyatt Hotel waiting to greet James Connaughton from the White House as he arrived on Saipan.

It has been an incredible week.

I'll post pictures from the entire week as people turn them in to me.

These great shots were taken by public high school teacher Bryan Jones. Mr. Jones had his Language Arts students write letters to the President.

In all, over 500 local public high school students wrote to the President. Most of them were in support of the monument!

Kudos

Kudos to our visiting federal officials: James Connaughton, Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality [CEQ] (a White House advisor); Tim Keeney, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere at the Department of Commerce; Lyle Laverty, Assistant Secretary of Fish, Wildlife and Parks at the U.S. Department of Interior; Sean Morton, NOAA official, and others who participated in the public forum Monday, October 20, 2008 at the Fiesta Resort.

Kudos also to our local CNMI government officials who organized the meeting.

For those who want more detail, you can read about how we got this far at Mike Tripp's blog. You can read one view of the monumental meeting at Saipan Writer's blog.

And stay tuned here and at Angelo's blog for more information.

And visit the CEQ's informational website on the proposal for a Marine National Monument here.

Thanks to the NMI Humanities Council

The NMI Humanities Council sponsored a lecture Saturday night on the topic "What Is A Marine Monument?" They brought in Jon Van Dyke, a law professor at University of Hawaii's William Richardson School of Law.

He gave an informative and balanced lecture, with power point presentation, at the American Memorial Park theatre. The session was fairly well attended, but there were empty seats.

There were orange-shirted supporters of the proposed Marianas Trench Marine National Monument in the audience, as well as published opponents.

No one knew what the professor would say, whether he would support or oppose the MTMNM. In the end, he encouraged the CNMI to engage in the discussion with the federal government and take the opportunity presented, but to stay actively involved in order to make the Monument our own and what we want.

He pointed out some of the difficulties and issues that would likely surface if we do get the MTMNM. He clarified that some "concerns" were non-issues (and "ridiculous"--his word).

The program will be aired on television. I encourage everyone to watch.

Thanks to the NMI Humanities Council. They provide valuable information and contribute greatly to the better understanding and appreciation in the community of issues of law, history, culture, tradition, and all arts. Kudos!

Poll Results?

Why do you support the proposed Mariana Trench Marine National Monument?

It will generate $10 million per year
2 (10%)

It will create 400 jobs
3 (15%)

It will protect a fragile ecosystem
11 (57%)

There will be many educational and research opportunities
10 (52%)

Pride being the steward of one of the largest protected areas in the world
9 (47%)

Conservation is part of my culture
9 (47%)

CNMI will gain co-management of our waters
3 (15%)

It will improve our federal relations
3 (15%)

Wear Orange Week

Show your support for the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument by wearing an orange t-shirt during the week of October 20-24!

Pass it on!

Veterans Support the Monument

FOR IMMEADIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ignacio V. Cabrera, 256-5648
marianamonument@gmail.com

Several local resident veterans have written letters to United States President George W. Bush concerning the proposed Marianas Trench Marine National Monument. The five veterans, all of whom are members of the Friends of the Monument, wrote letters in support.

Letter writers Robert M. Power, Brad Doerr, and Billy Mott Jr served in the United States Navy while Brad E. Ruszala served in the United States Army and Manny S. Villagomez served in the United States Marines.

Power, who is also known for his 20 years of service with the US Postal Service, compared the spirit of conservation surrounding the designation of the Marianas Trench Monument to the legacy of another American conservationist, President Teddy Roosevelt. He wrote President Bush that his “efforts will be praised for years to come by generations of Chamorros and Carolinians and people of many nations to enjoy their unspoiled beauty.”

Brad E. Ruszala, who earned a Southwest Asia Service Ribbon with two bronze service stars, told President Bush that “if my voice counts for anything, I would like to add it to the chorus of voices calling for the creation of a Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.” Ruszala adds, “I may not have been born here, but this is my adopted home and I have no plans of ever leaving.”

Manny S. Villagomez is the oldest of the veterans. He was a Marine Scout for the United States during and immediately following World War II.

Villagomez’ letter said that, “the only way for one of my great-great-grandchildren to experience the Saipan that I knew in the 1930’s is for them to travel to one of the islands within the proposed monument.”

The Friends of the Monument formed in the spring of 2008 to express the voice of the local community and consists of a cross-section of indigenous and resident people of the CNMI who are dedicated to the conservation, preservation and protection of marine flora, fauna and geological features of the oceans; and the creation and proper management of a Marianas Trench Marine National Monument. Ignacio V. Cabrera chairs the group. Information on the proposed Marianas Trench Marine National Monument can be found at http://marianamonument.blogspot.com.

Learn More about Marine National Monuments

The NMI Council for the Humanities is sponsoring a public lecture on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 6:30 PM at the American Memorial Park. The lecture will discuss what a marine monument is.

This lecture is completely independent from the efforts of the Friends of the Monument and the Pew Charitable Trust. We don't know what's going to be said.

It will be presented by law professors from Hawaii and they'll discuss both the law and Hawaii's experience. It should be interesting.

And I hope it fires more people up to help support the Marianas Trench marine national monument project by doing the following:

WRITE LETTERS (If you want, call me to pick up your letter. I'll get it the office where it will be copied and mailed.)

WEAR ORANGE-October 20-24. Your MTMNM tee shirt is best, but any orange will help.

ATTEND THE 10/20 FORUM--this is the biggie at 5:30 PM at the Fiesta Resort. Wear orange there, too.

ATTEND THE FEDERAL PUBLIC WORKSHOP ON OCTOBER 20

The public workshop will be held on October 20 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at the Fiesta Resort in Garapan. Wear Orange! Orange T-shirts are available for free at the Mariana Trench Office in Garapan while supplies last.

SEND A SUPPORT EMAIL TO THE COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Emails can be addressed to James Connaughton, Chairman for the Council on Environmental Quality, and should include “CNMI Resident” somewhere in the subject heading.

The email can be similar to your letter to the President and sent to oceans@ceq.eop.gov.

WRITE A SUPPORT LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT

The Friends of the Monument are actively seeking individuals residing on the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota to write letters to the President of the United States, George W. Bush, to support the designation of the proposed Mariana Trench Marine National Monument. Our goal is to send him over 200 letters.

The goals of these letters are to showcase broad support throughout the islands. Letters can come from individuals, associations, businesses, clubs, or other organizations. Whenever possible, letters should be written on official letterhead.

The letters must be addressed to the President and must contain three important things. The letter should (1) identify who you are, that you live in the CNMI, and what type of official titles you hold in the community, (2) describe why you support the monument, and finish by (3) asking the President to designate a “highly protected” monument restricting commercial extraction.

The carbon copy list MUST include the following:

CC: Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior
Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce
James Connaughton, CEQ Chairman
Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., NOAA
Friends of the Monument

Additional recipients MAY include the following:

CC: Media
Benigno R. Fitial, Governor
Arnold Palacios, House Speaker
Pete P. Reyes, Senate President

Please call the Monument Office at (670) 234-2665 if you need any assistance or if you have any questions. If you bring your letter into the office, we can mail it out for you to all the appropriate people.

A sample letter may look like:

October 1, 2008



President George W. Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

RE: Support for the proposed Mariana Trench Marine National Monument

Dear President Bush,

My name is Joe Chamorro and I am a fifth generation resident of the island of Saipan. Many of the men in my family are fishermen and my father, Joe Sr., fought for Freedom during the Vietnam war. I am a former congressman and a small business owner. I am also the President of the local volleyball association and spend my extra time working with the homeless.

I have been to the Northern Islands on two occasions. Those islands are the crown jewel of the Pacific and there is nothing I would want more than to share the beauty of my home with the entire world by designating the waters surrounding the far northern islands of Maug, Uracas, and Asuncion as a Marine National Monument.

I speak on behalf of my children and generations yet to come when I ask you to please create a highly protected Mariana Trench Marine National Monument that restricts commercial extraction.

Sincerely,



Joe Chamorro




CC: Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior
Carlos M Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce
James Connaughton, CEQ Chairman
Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., NOAA
Friends of the Monument
Media

Addresses to send the letters are as follows:

George W. Bush
President
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

The Honorable Dirk Kempthorne
Secretary of the Interior
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20240

The Honorable Carlos M. Gutierrez
Herbert Clark Hoover Building
1401 Constitution Ave, NW
Room 5858
Washington, DC 20230

James Connaughton, Chairman
Council on Environmental Quality
722 Jackson Place, NW
Washington, D.C. 20503
fax: (202) 456-6546
oceans@ceq.eop.gov

Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr.
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Room 6217
Washington, D.C. 20230
Fax: (202) 482-3154

Friends of the Monument
c/o Ike Cabrera
PO BOX 500921
Saipan, MP 96950

American Memorial Park
Visitor’s Center

5 Things you can do to support the monument

1. Sign the support the monument petition
2. Write a support letter to the president
3. Send a support email to the Council on Environmental Quality
4. Attend the Federal public workshop on October 20
5. Wear Orange

You can also:

6. Sign the business petition if you are a business owner
7. Write a letter to the editor
8. Add a link to our blog on your email signature and website

Please call the Monument Office at (670) 234-2665 if you need any assistance or if you have any questions. If you bring your letter into the office, we can mail it out for you to all the appropriate people.

A sample letter may look like:

October 1, 2008



President George W. Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

RE: Support for the proposed Mariana Trench Marine National Monument

Dear President Bush,

My name is Joe Chamorro and I am a fifth generation resident of the island of Saipan. Many of the men in my family are fishermen and my father, Joe Sr., fought for Freedom during the Vietnam war. I am a former congressman and a small business owner. I am also the President of the local volleyball association and spend my extra time working with the homeless.

I have been to the Northern Islands on two occasions. Those islands are the crown jewel of the Pacific and there is nothing I would want more than to share the beauty of my home with the entire world by designating the waters surrounding the far northern islands of Maug, Uracas, and Asuncion as a Marine National Monument.

I speak on behalf of my children and generations yet to come when I ask you to please create a highly protected Mariana Trench Marine National Monument that restricts commercial extraction.

Sincerely,



Joe Chamorro




CC: Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior
Carlos M Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce
James Connaughton, CEQ Chairman
Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., NOAA
Friends of the Monument
Media