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!