PALIKIR, POHNPEI. September 18, 2012 – The Seventeenth Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia this morning confirmed President Emanuel ‘Manny’ Mori’s nominations for the FSM National Government Departments of Finance and Justice.
On day nine of its Fifth Regular Session, the 17th Congress confirmed in a vote of 12/2, Congressional Resolution (CR) 17-145 the nomination of Kensley Ikosia to the position of Secretary of the FSM Department of Finance and Administrations. According to the President’s transmittal letter during the Fourth Regular Session in May 2012, Ikosia’s nomination is based on his over 30 years of work experience in the fields of budget, finance and management at both the state and national government.
Among his prominent roles at national government was that of the Deputy Director of the FSM Joint Compact Negotiation where he was instrumental in the coordination of the implementation requirements of Fiscal Procedures Agreement and Title II of the Amended Compact Treaty at the national and state governments. Ikosia currently works for the Yap State Government as the Director of the Office of Planning and Budget.
As with Ikosia’s nomination, CR 17-155, was also transmitted during the Fourth Regular Session to confirm the nomination of April Dawn M. Skilling to the position of Secretary of the FSM Department of Justice. The President’s transmittal letter noted that Skilling is an attorney with over 20 years of legal experiences with bar admission to both the United States and the FSM.
Her experiences in the FSM included being an Assistant General Counsel for the Kosrae State Attorney General with a wide range of experience in the U.S that included being a Deputy General Counsel for the Department of Business and Professional Regulations in the State of Florida and she is currently a senior attorney in the Florida State Supreme Court. Congress confirmed Skilling’s nomination in a vote of 14/0.
Other resolutions adopted during Week Two of the Fifth Regular Session of 17th Congress include:
CR 17-158, to express the sincere sadness and condolences of the Seventeenth Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia to the People’s Republic of China for the tragic loss of life, property, business and agriculture due to the floods of July 2012 in the northeast and southeast regions of China;
CR 17-166, to express the sadness and condolences of the Seventeenth Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia at the passing of Frank Mendiola Semens, Sergeant First Class, United States Army, and Captain, Pohnpei State Police; and
CR 17-169, Expressing the sadness and condolences of the Seventeenth Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia to the United States Department of State and the families affected by the attack on the United States Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, and strongly condemning the cowardly acts of violence perpetrated.
The resolution follows a visit to the United States Embassy in Kolonia on September 13, by Speaker Isaac V. Figir who headed a delegation from the Congress of the FSM to meet with Ambassador Doria Rosen to convey their condolences. Speaker’s small delegation included Senator Joseph J. Urusemal, Senator Dohsis Halbert, Senator Paliknoa K. Welly, Senator Roger S. Mori, Senator Tony H. Otto, Senator Yosiwo P. George and Senator David W. Panuelo.