Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698744550766.pdf (Micronesia, Federated States of)
STANDING COMMITTTEE REPORT NO.

19-44 RE: C.R.

NO.

19-110/R&D SUBJECT: TO CONFIRM THE NOMINATION OF MR. CHURCHILL B. EDWARD SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 The Honorable Wesley Simina Speaker, Nineteenth Congress Federated States of Micronesia Second Regular Session, 2015 Dear Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Resources and Development, to which was referred C.R.

No.
No.

19-110, entitled: “A RESOLUTION TO CONFIRM THE NOMINATION OF MR. CHURCHILL B. EDWARD TO SERVE AS BOARD MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY (NORMA) REPRESENTING THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.”, begs leave to report as follows: The intent and purpose of this resolution are expressed in its title.

The President had transmitted the nomination of Mr. Churchill B. Edward to Congress on September 14, 2015, through Presidential Communication No.

19-160.
19-160.

The said communication contains the resume of the nominee.

Your Committee held a public hearing on the nomination (C.R No.

19-110) on September 17, 2017.

Witnesses included the nominee, representatives from the President’s Office (the Chief of Staff and the Special Assistant to the President); SCRL 19-54/CR 19-110/R&D Committee STANDING COMMITTTEE REPORT NO.

19-44 RE: C.R.

NO.
19-44 RE: C.R.

NO.

19-110/R&D SUBJECT: TO CONFIRM THE NOMINATION OF MR. CHURCHILL B. EDWARD SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 the Acting Director of NORMA, Bradley Phillip; and Secretary Joses Gallen of the Department of Justice.

Chairman David Panuelo opened the hearing and welcomed the nominee and the witnesses.

The nominee was given an opportunity to comment on his nomination.

The nominee thanked the Chairman and greeted the Members present.

He also apologized for not showing up on time for the scheduled hearing.
He assured your Committee that he was not notified in time and that is the reason why he showed up late.

He further commented that he does not have any background in fisheries, but his presence is to listen and hear what the Committee would inquire of him regarding his nomination to sit on the NORMA Board of Directors.

Your Committee asked the nominee what are some of the criteria used for the selection of a board member of NORMA.
The nominee expressed his own opinion stating that a member should have the leadership and management skills to be able to exercise good judgment that will guide policies in fisheries.

Somebody that can exercise good and sound judgment weighing or balancing sustainability of the fish stock and the selling of a fish at what price is one of the criteria a board member should equipped with.
In order to maintain the sustainability of our resources, there must be clear direction given to Board members and management before undertaking any fishing negotiation or consultation with Distant Water Fishing Nations.

Your Committee understands that it has been a practice to nominate a staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs to represent the National Government on the Board of NORMA, and usually that person is always appointed as the Chairman of the Board.
So your Committee inquired whether it is a policy of nominating a staff of the Department of Foreign -2- STANDING COMMITTTEE REPORT NO.

19-44 RE: C.R.

NO.

19-110/R&D SUBJECT: TO CONFIRM THE NOMINATION OF MR. CHURCHILL B. EDWARD SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 Affairs to the Board, and whether this is a shift from that policy.

Chief of Staff Leo Falcam Jr. believes that there is no shift in policy.

The nomination of Mr. Edward to sit on the Board is an internal arrangement.
Your Committee further inquired whether there is a list of individuals the selection is based on.

Your Committee was informed that there was no list.

Your Committee asked whether there is any legal impediment for a Member of Congress to sit on the Board.

Secretary Gallen commented that a provision in the FSM Constitution prohibits a Member of Congress to sit on the Board.
At the hearing, it was discussed that it is frustrating when negotiations with fishing companies and the management failed to provide historical data on fisheries for the Board Members to use.

Chairman Panuelo expressed the difficulty in accessing information from the Authority.

He thinks that our position on fisheries negotiation should be established before the Board goes out and negotiates so they make sound policy decisions regarding our depleting resources.
The credentials of the nominee were reviewed in detail at the time of his original nomination.

Furthermore, this nominee is well-known to your Committee, the Pohnpei State Government and the National Government.

The nominee is well thought of by his past and current colleagues and supervisors and your Committee is satisfied with his credentials.

Your Committee has not received any subsequent communication that would cast doubt on the performance or integrity of the nominee.
The nominee has expressed his desire to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of NORMA.

Your Committee is -3- STANDING COMMITTTEE REPORT NO.

19-44 RE: C.R.

NO.

19-110/R&D SUBJECT: TO CONFIRM THE NOMINATION OF MR. CHURCHILL B. EDWARD SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 confident in the skills and experience of this particular nominee, and of his fitness for service on the Board.

Your Committee on Resources and Development is in accord with the intent and purpose of C.R.

No.
No.

19-110, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto.

Respectfully submitted, /s/ David W. Panuelo David W. Panuelo, chairman Alik L. Alik, vice-chairman /s/ Victor V. Gouland Victor V. Gouland, member /s/ Florencio S. Harper Florencio S. Harper, member /s/ Berney Martin Berney Martin, member /s/ Robson U. Romolow Robson Romolow, member Joseph J. Urusemal, member -4-