Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698744563506.pdf (Micronesia, Federated States of)
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

15-169 RE: C.R.

NO.

15-172/EX.

AFFAIRS SUBJECT: CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF JANE CHIGIYAL TO BE THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA DECEMBER 03, 2008 The Honorable Isaac V. Figir Speaker, Fifteen Congress Federated States of Micronesia Fifth Special Session, 2008 Dear Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on External Affairs to which was referred C.R.

No.
No.

15- 172, entitled: "CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF JANE CHIGIYAL TO BE THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA.

", begs leave to report as follows: This nomination came as a surprise, arriving in the middle of a short special session, and also because the President had given the impression to the Committee to Wait on the President that Foreign Affairs nominations would be done in January.
Nevertheless, due to the importance of this position, your committee decided to act promptly.

The committee wishes, however, that future nominations would be submitted with ample time for Congress to do its work.

Your committee finds your nominee extremely well qualified for this position.

She holds a BA in Business Administration from California State University, Chico, and a Master in International Relations and Trade from Monash University in Australia.
She attended numerous training courses in international affairs.

Most importantly she is one of the longest serving members of the Department of Foreign Affairs (since 1991) where she currently holds the position of Assistant Secretary for US and European Affairs, with jurisdiction over Compact and other US bilateral matters.

Your committee held a hearing on December 2.

2008 with the nominee the Department of Foreign Affairs and other interested witnesses.
At the hearing the nominee stated that she was humbled by the opportunity to serve as Deputy Secretary, but she can bring to the position a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Even though the Deputy Secretary position is perceived as an administrative position, it is much more than that, and as Deputy Secretary she will be involved with policy issues too.

There is a pending plan for internal reorganization within the Department, which will have the Deputy Secretary carry as STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.
15-169 RE: C.R.

NO.

15-172/EX.

AFFAIRS SUBJECT: CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF JANE CHIGIYAL TO BE THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA DECEMBER 03, 2008 well the portfolio for US relations.

The nominee stated that her priorities include assisting the Secretary with the upcoming Five-year review of the Compact, and also the welfare of the staff which has become a pressing issue as a result of the increase in the work load of the Department.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Lorin Robert, spoke in support of the nominee, praising her skills and experience, and adding that her appointment would enhance the image of the FSM and complement the attempt of Congress to promote the representation of women at high levels of government.

In that respect, your committee noted the presence at the hearing of Former AG Marstella Jack and Tax Reform Advisor Evelyn Adolph, who attended in support of the nominee.
To allay the concern that the Department may be losing expertise in US Affairs, the Secretary restated the plan to have the Deputy carry the US portfolio too.

The Secretary stated that the Department had no control over the timing of the submittal of the nomination.

He had advised the President of the need for this position at the end of September.
The Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs stated that the President decided to nominate Ms. Chigiyal three weeks ago, and there might have been a delay in preparing the required documentation.

The Secretary of Resources and Development, and Former Speaker, Peter Christian added his support for the nominee, mentioning that to him gender was not an issue, but the outstanding competence and experience of the nominee should speak for itself.
He was in support of the nominee and believed and all departments should have deputy secretaries.

Your committee is mindful of the need to fill quickly this position due to the pressing needs to prepare for the Five-year review.

Your committee therefore recommends that Congress confirm the nominee.

Your Committee on External Affairs is in accord with the intent and purpose of C.R.

No.

15-172, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as C.R.

No.

15-172.
No.

15-172.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

15-169 RE: C.R.

NO.

15-172/EX.
15-172/EX.

AFFAIRS SUBJECT: CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF JANE CHIGIYAL TO BE THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA DECEMBER 03, 2008 Respectfully submitted, /s/ Paliknoa K. Welly Paliknoa K. Welly, chairman /s/ Tiwiter Aritos Tiwiter Aritos, vice chairman /s/ Isaac V. Figir Isaac V. Figir, member /s/ Tesime Kofot Tesime Kofot, member /s/ Dion G. Neth Dion G. Neth, member /s/ Resio S. Moses Resio S. Moses, member /s/ Setiro Paul Setiro Paul, member