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Tenorio receives immediate response from Secretary Kempthorne
(Washington, DC) August 22, 2008. Doug Domenech, Acting OIA Deputy
Assistant Secretary, provided CNMI Resident Representative Pedro A. Tenorio with
a prompt response to Tenorio’s request for rapid interagency agreements between
the Departments of Homeland Security, Labor, and Interior to process and
coordinate decisions relating to the implementation of Public Law 110-229.
Responding on Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne’s behalf, Domenech pointed out
in his letter that “the Secretary is aware and shares your concern regarding
initiation of the interagency agreement process as mandated by the law.
The issue of interagency agreements is being discussed with officials in the
four Federal agencies.”
Tenorio earlier expressed in letters to the four Departments that “not only are
the agreements mandatory but they are to be utilized to develop procedures to
ensure that Commonwealth employers have access to adequate labor, and that
tourists, students, retirees, and other visitors have access to the Commonwealth
without unnecessary delay or impediment.” Tenorio also stressed the intent
of Congress to provide the CNMI with “as much flexibility as possible in
maintaining existing businesses and other revenue sources, and developing new
economic opportunities.”
Tenorio also recommended in his letters that the Governor be provided a
significant role in the agreements. “It is important that the Governor
play a vital role in the implementation of this law, and not just during the
development of the regulations but also during the entire transition period,”
added Tenorio.
“It is very encouraging to know that our partners in the various federal
agencies are cognizant of our unique needs and are actively discussing
agreements aimed at implementing the positive reforms and economic
diversification mandated by Public Law 110-229. This type of prompt active
cooperation further illustrates the commitment of the Federal Government to
continue working with all of us to ensure a smooth transition to a federal
system in keeping with the responsibilities of the CNMI and the U.S. as defined
in the Covenant,” Tenorio commented.
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