[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 65 (Thursday, April 30, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H5046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1615
               BEAUTIFY CNMI AND FRIENDS OF THE MONUMENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) is recognized 
for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, last week President Obama signed into law 
the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which encourages Americans to 
engage in public service and volunteerism.
  I was proud to cosponsor the Serve America Act. But I am even prouder 
to recognize today two nonprofit corporate organizations in the 
Northern Mariana Islands that already exemplify the spirit of 
cooperation and community service the act will encourage. These 
organizations are Beautify CNMI! and The Friends of the Monument.
  Beautify CNMI! is a coalition of concerned citizens, private groups 
and government entities united to enhance the natural beauty of the 
Northern Mariana Islands and to foster pride of place in residents and 
visitors alike. In their own words, Beautify CNMI! figured the only way 
to get people to take ownership in our islands was if the government, 
the private sector, and the community worked together and pooled our 
resources.
  Created in 2006, Beautify CNMI! has spent the last 3 years picking up 
litter, planting trees and painting over graffiti in our communities. 
They have also restored historic areas such as a World War II-era jail 
and a lighthouse built at the turn of the last century.
  Beautify CNMI! also honors individuals and groups who are considered 
environmental leaders. And the organization supports other community 
initiatives, such as promoting responsible pet care and working with 
at-risk youth groups.
  The Friday before Earth Day this year, Beautify CNMI! coordinated an 
island-wide cleanup on the island of Saipan with the participation of 
over 4,100 volunteers, the largest cleanup endeavor ever in the 
Northern Mariana Islands. I had the pleasure of joining this cleanup 
during my last work period.
  The second group I would like to recognize is The Friends of the 
Monument. The Friends of the Monument was formed to help promote the 
ideal of creating a national marine monument in the waters surrounding 
the three northernmost islands of the Northern Mariana Islands and the 
Mariana Trench, the deepest known place in the world's known oceans, 
and they were successful. President Bush designated the area as a 
national marine monument on January 6 of this year.
  The monument designation was controversial in the Northern Mariana 
Islands, but whatever one's stance in the controversy, there is no 
argument that The Friends of the Monument is the model for what a 
dedicated group of volunteers can accomplish.
  The Friends of the Monument engaged in countless hours of outreach 
and education activities to teach the community about the idea of the 
monument. They created and distributed leaflets, held meetings and 
conducted classroom presentations.
  These activities gave the public an opportunity to learn about the 
proposed monument, to ask questions and to express concerns. 
Ultimately, The Friends of the Monument were successful in their 
efforts. These efforts are commendable, no matter what one's view of 
the monument itself, because they demonstrate what can be done by 
dedicated members of the public and encourage others in the community 
to participate in issues that affect them.
  The Friends of the Monument were featured on NBC Nightly News during 
green week. They also were recently recognized by the Environmental 
Protection Agency with an environmental award.
  I am glad to highlight their efforts here today, and I am very proud 
to acknowledge their accomplishments.

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