A diverse group of individuals -- a lawyer, a teacher, a dive instructor, a former president of the local college, a former director of the Division of Environmental Quality, a small business owner and a community organizer -- have been elected as the first directors of the Friends of the Monument.
The Friends of the Monument previously had three officers, but the group is expanding as the role of their organization expands.
“Last year our main focus was building local support for the monument and showcasing that support to the decision makers in Washington, DC,” explained Director Ignacio Cabrera.
The organization has plans to set up as many as six committees to fulfill the vision they outlined in their October 2008 Vision Statement, but for now will focus on three areas: Outreach & Education, working with the local government, and working with the federal government.
“Our organization plans on being involved with the management of the monument,” said Director Agnes McPhetres. “It is so important that the people of the Marianas, and not just a handful of political appointees, get to have their say in how this monument is managed.”
The new Directors are Cabrera, McPhetres, Bryan Jones, Jane Mack, Laurie Peterka, Mike Tripp, and Angelo Villagomez. The directors will elect officers during their next Board of Directors meeting scheduled for this month.
The Friends of the Monument were the main proponents of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, a 95,000 square mile marine protected area designated by President George W. Bush on January 6, 2009. More information of the Friends of the Monument can be found online at http://marianamonument.blogspot.com.
Showing posts with label Press Release. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Press Release. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Thursday, October 30, 2008
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
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
####
*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
Monday, October 27, 2008
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
##########
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
##########
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
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.
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.
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