E-Newsletter - November 13, 2009

On Friday morning I took an early flight to meet the Tinian Jr. Sr. High School Stallions. At the request of US Government Teacher Mr. Morgan James McLaughlin and THS Principal Julian Hofschneider I spent an hour just after first block of Mid-term exams and gave the students a well deserved break. I shared with these students a little about the various things that I do in Washington D.C. and different things that I am working on in regards to education and how it affects them. We talked about the Military Academies Nominations and how important education is to the future of the Commonwealth. Thank you Tinian Stallions for the invitation.

Support builds for congressional resolution honoring Echo Company - This week I reported to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) that there are now 53 members of Congress who are co-sponsoring my resolution honoring Echo Company. H.Con.Res. 199 recognizes the 10th anniversary of the activation of the Northern Mariana Islands Army Reserve unit, its two tours of duty in Iraq, and the sacrifice of its soldiers and families in support of the United States. It takes a minimum of 45 co-sponsors to begin moving the resolution through the Committee and on to the floor of the House for approval, so we have met that requirement. I look forward to working with Chairman Skelton to move the resolution through his Committee and on to the House floor for approval. Watch my floor statement recognizing the Echo Company here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYehL3aWZ40&feature=channel.

Standing tall for Veterans - On the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month of the year, the CNMI paused to honor those who have served to protect our freedom. The 2009 Veterans Day ceremony was held at the American Memorial Park Court of Honor with music provided by the Saipan Southern High School Pacific Winds Concert Band. The ceremony was opened by a speech by War in the Pacific National Historical Park Superintendent Barbara Alberti, with additional welcoming remarks by Governor Fitial. Keynote speaker for the day was Colonel Daniel J. Settergren, Commander, 36th Contingency Response Group, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The ceremony concluded with the traditional laying of the wreath, rifle salute and the playing of “Taps” in honor of our fallen soldiers.
Veterans in attendance at the American Memorial Park ceremony—(front) Manuel Villagomez, Nicolas Muna, and Leonard Sablan
At the ceremony with the Mendiola family - Steven and Martha Mendiola with daughters Ava, Elena, and Elena’s daughter Elicia

OPM says changes in federal employee salary calculations will bring higher take-home pay, better retirement benefits – Most Federal employees in the Northern Mariana Islands will soon see small increases in their take-home pay, according to officials of the Office of Personnel Management, who briefed my office this week. But these small changes will result in even larger increases in the amount those employees can expect when they retire. Beginning in January 2010 and over a 3-year period, the cost of living adjustment Federal employees now receive will be replaced by locality pay. Because the cost of living adjustment is not recognized when Federal employees’ top three earning years are used to calculate retirement benefits, the change to locality pay should produce substantial benefits in retirement. Employees retiring during the transition period will be able to buy in to the new retirement levels. The change has been under negotiation for a number of years to satisfy concerns that Federal employees not see a reduction in their paychecks. My office will continue to monitor the change-over closely to be sure there are no problems. If you are a Federal employee with any question or concern, please contact me.

FY2010 Interior Appropriations begin to flow:

• Close Up Foundation receives $1,000,000 grant – Close-Up students from the Northern Mariana Islands and other insular areas will continue to be able to see Congress and the rest of the Federal government up close this year. The FY2010 Interior Appropriation bill enacted by Congress on October 29 and signed by President Obama the next day contained $11,000,000 for Technical Assistance grants to the islands. Today, $1,000,000 of that money was awarded to the Close Up Foundation. "Thank you for all of your support of this grant and of our civic education programs," the Foundation wrote me. "We look forward to working with you when the students and teachers are in Washington in February 2010." I look forward to seeing all the Close Up students and teachers in a few months, too.
• $1,000,000 grant continues Prior Service benefits – Another program I supported in this year’s Interior Appropriation was the Prior Service Trust Fund. The Department of Interior, which administers the appropriation, today announced the availability of the $1,000,000 that will be distributed over the next year to the Prior Service beneficiaries. 359 people in the Northern Mariana Islands, who worked for the U.S. Navy and Trust Territory government receive the monthly stipends, as well as 1,308 retirees elsewhere in Micronesia.

Alfreda Camacho and Geri Willis (center, with office staff Paul Reyes, Bob Schwalbach, Becky Lizama, Julia Martin, and Michelle Tenorio) traveled to Washington this week as part of their responsibilities with the Northern Mariana Islands American Recovery and Reinvestment Act office. The official website, Recovery.gov, reports that as of 11/10 there is $78,612,259 available for the Northern Marianas. $53,235,081 has been announced. $3,007,289 has been paid out. Congress passed the Recovery Act in February to help lift the Northern Mariana Islands and all parts of the U.S. out of recession. Visit the ARRA website here: http://www.recovery.gov/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=homeMap

Open enrollment for Medicare Prescription Drug and Health Plans begins November 15th – Seniors have the opportunity to make changes in their Medicare prescription drug and health plans. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have announced that November 15th is the start of the 2010 Open Enrollment season. Open enrollment is the one time every year when people with Medicare can review and, if necessary, change their coverage. Open enrollment ends December 31st. More information is available at www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Healthcare bill will benefit seniors – Just before midnight last Saturday the House passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962. In addition to providing four times our usual Medicaid funding ($209 million over ten years) and giving our Governor the choice of creating an insurance exchange (including the public option), the bill makes several positive changes to Medicare that will lead to new benefits for our seniors:

• The bill will reduce the cost of prescription drugs covered under Medicare Part D by negotiating new rates with pharmaceutical companies. Most brand-name medications seniors take daily will be less expensive under these provisions, and new low-cost generics will also be available to Medicare users.
• Preventive and wellness care visits will be free under Medicare, so seniors won't hesitate to go to the doctor and get taken care of before a small issue becomes a serious medical condition. Many seniors put off routine check-ups and other appointments because of the cost, but this provision will help them get the care they need without worrying about how to pay for it.
• Grants available: In an effort to raise awareness of Federal grant availability I will occasionally feature grant announcements that may be of interest in the Northern Mariana Islands:
  
  
  • Energy efficiency and conservation - The U.S. Department of Energy is requesting proposals for two programs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants. The Retrofit Ramp-Up program will fund projects that demonstrate a sustainable business model for providing cost-effective energy upgrades for a large percentage of the residential, commercial, and public buildings in a specific community. The General Innovation program will fund projects that help expand local energy efficiency efforts and reduce energy use in the commercial, residential, transportation, manufacturing, or industrial sectors. USDOE anticipates awarding $453.7 million to some 80 projects. Letters of Intent are requested by November 19, 2009. Final proposals are due December 14, 2009. For more information, please contact Karen Bahan at karen.bahan@emcbc.doe.gov or visit https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=DE-FOA-0000148&agency=DOE.
  • Environmental education - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is requesting proposals for environmental education projects that promote environmental stewardship and help develop knowledgeable and responsible students, teachers, and citizens. USEPA anticipates awarding $3 million to some 95 projects. Proposals are due December 15, 2009. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html or contact Mr. Michael Mann at mann.michael@epamail.epa.gov.
  • Solid waste management - The U.S. Department of Agriculture is requesting proposals for the Solid Waste Management projects that will assist communities to reduce pollution of water resources and improve planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas. $3.4 million is expected to be available for up to 40 awards. Proposals are due December 31, 2009. For more information, please contact LaVonda Pernell at lavonda.pernell@wdc.usda.gov or visit http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/SWMG.htm.
  • Highlights in the Legislative Program, House of Representatives
    
    THIS WEEK
    
    H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act (passed 220-215).
    
    NEXT WEEK
    
    H.R. 3961, Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009;
    
    Possible Consideration of the Conference Report on H.R. 2847, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010.