PUBLIC LAW NO AN ACT. Offered by Senators Benjamin T. Yanglonz, Ponciano C. Rasa, Julian S.

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1 PUBLIC LAW NO S.B. NO. 3-8, S.D.2, H.D.l THIRD NORTHERN MARIAh'AS COHMONWEALTH LEGISLATUBE THIRD REGLiR SESSION, 1983 AN ACT To establish a Northern Marianas Hall of Fame to be known as the "Commonwealth Hall of Fame." Offered by Senators Benjamin T. Yanglonz, Ponciano C. Rasa, Julian S. Calvo, Olympio T. Borja, Ignacio K. Quichocho, Ramon M. Dela Cruz, and Joseph S. Inos Date: January 26, 1982 SENATE ACTION Referred to: Committee on Judiciary, Government and Law Standing Committee Report Na First Reading: August 11, 1982 Second and Final Reading: August 19, 1982 Recall Consideration: First and Final Reading - January 5, 1983 HOUSE ACTION Referred to: Committee on Judiciary,and Governmental Operations Standing Committee Report No First Reading: November 9, 1982 Second and Final Reading: November 10, 1982 Recall Consideration: First and Final Reading - January 13, 1983 / senate Legislativu Secretar,

2 THIRD NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE PUBLIC IAW NO. 346 SENATE BILL NO. 3-8, S.D.2, H.D.1 FIRST REGULAR SESSION, 1982 AN ACT To establish a Northern Marianas Hall of Fame to be known as the "Commonwealth Hall of Fame." BE IT ENACTED BY THE NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE: Section 1. Legislative Finding. In the emergence of the Northern Marianas as a viable community, there were exemplary achievements, acts and deeds by men and women, young and old, indigenous and non-indigenous, which contributed to making what the Northern Marianas is today. These achievements. acts and deeds, in many cases, are now part of the Cnmwwealth's history, traditjnn or heritape worthy ;sf oriblic recognition and deserve to be memorialized in a fittlrtg man&\er for the present aud future generations. Therefore, a means should be devised through which appropriate honor and recognition can be officially conferred and preserved for posterity. It is the wish of the people of the Northern Narianas that there shall be established a hall of fane to be known as the "Commonwealth Hall of Fame" which shall serve as an official repository for public recognition, honor and awards accorded such persons whose exemplary, distinguished or meritorious acts. deeds or achievements have, in some way. contributed, enriched or enhanced the history, culture, heritage or the social, political or economic development of the Northern Marianas. It is the intent of the Legislature that the criteria for induction into the Commonwealth llall of Famc be of the highest standards. A person ray be inducted into the Commonwealth Ha11 of Fame only after

3 PUBLIC LAW NO SENATE BILL NO S.D.2, H.D.1 he or she has met certain criteria. Section 2. Comnlonwealth Hall of Fame Commission Estahlishment of. (a) There is hereby established a Commonwealth Hall of Fame Commission which shall consist of 9 voting members, to be appointed as follows: one shall be appointed by the Mayor of Saipan; one shall be appointed by the Mayor of Rota; one shall be appointed by the Nayor of Tinian and Aguiguan; one shall be appointed by the llayor of the islands north of Saipan; one shall be appointed by the President of the Senate; one shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and one shall be appointed by the Governor. In addition, the Director of Community and Cultural Affairs and the Special Assistant fclr Cixoli~jen Affnirz =!-tall be members of the Commission. heuwais ~f the Cummlsuion tmy be removed by the appointing officials with or without cause. The membership of the Commission shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 1(g) of Title I (a) of Public Law 1-8, (b) Members of the Commission shall serve a term of 4 years. Each member to be eligible for appointment shah also (1) have resided in the Northern Narianas for at least 5 years; (2) have demonstrated knowledge of the culture and history of the Northern Marianas, past and present; and (3) must be of good character. The Chairman sfiall be elected by a majority vote of the members of the Commission. A Vice-chairman and Secretary shall be elected in like manner. Page 2 of 7

4 PUBLIC IAW NO SENATE BILL NO. 3-8, S.D.2, H.D.l Section 3. Commonwealth Hall of Fame Commission: Meetings. The meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public and shall be held at least once every 3 months. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman or upon the affirmative vote of 6 members. Section 4. Commonwealth Hall of Fame Commission: Acts. The affirmative vote of 6 members of the Board shall be necessary for the validity of any of its acts. Section 5. Commonwealth IIall of Fame Commission: Compensatior.. Members of the Commission shall serve without pay hut shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as certified by the Chairman. Certicn 6. Coaisc?we;'.t_;~ ;id - -- l 3:.F--te --- Comvfssion: Rules and heguhti0ns. The Comdssion shall prondgate rexonable rules and regulations for the administration of its operations. Section 7. Eligible Nomination: Categories. The Commission shall accept nominations of persons for induction into the "Commonwealth Hall of Fame" who have excelled or made extraordinary and meritorious contributions to the Northern Marianas in their fields of endeavor from any of the following categories: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) medicine and health; youth (persons under 25 years of age); senior citizens,(persons 55 years of age and over); business, commerce, tourism and economic development; arts and sciences; athletics and sports; Page 3 of 7

5 PUBLIC LAW ND SENATE BILL NO S.D.2, 11.D.1 law and government; education and training; community. civic and religious affairs; Chamorro and Carolinian languages and cultural affairs; farmers and fishermen; adults (persons 26 years through 54 years of age); and other worthy causes and/or persons as determined by the Commission. Section 8. Nominations. Nominations for any of the categories of endeavor stated in Section 7 shall be governed by the following rules: (a) Except as provided in Section 11 of this Act, ;,...l.:,:<:n; -,ha:' L- r-:?r. by ~\-tif<qn hv mn IPSS thiiit 1uG uzrs0i.s who are registered voters of the Northern Marianas; such nomination may be initiated by an organized civic or fraternal group in the Northern Marianas or by a group of residents who ban together for such purpose. (b) The nomination shall be accompanied by a typewritten resume including a biography and a detailed description of the accomplishment(s) for which the person is being nominated. Section 9. Screening and Induction. (a) Screening. The Commission shall screen the nominating petition and its accompanying data and select not more than 3 finalists f~om each category for consideration. It may require the finalists. if living, and other relevant persons Page 4 of 7

6 PUBIJC LAW NO SENATE BILL NO. 3-8, S.D.2, H.D. 1 to appear, as necessary, before the Commission. The Commission shall not ask questions that would be violative of the potential inductee's right to privacy, but the Commission may make pertinent inquiries relative to the award for which the person is being considered for induction. (b) hery finalist shall have made extraordinary and meritorious contributions or achievements towards the development of the Northern Eiarianas. (c) Every finalist shall have made contributions or achievement which clearly singles him out over all others in the same field or category. (d) The extraordinary and meritorious conrributions or achievemen~s maue ~y tne persun IluuliidLr~ &a;; Lt juibl.i Vu the basis of their importance, effectiveness, and impact on the well-being of the Northern Marianas. (e) Induction. The affirmative vote of 9 members of tne Commission shall be necessary for the induction of any nominee into the Commonwealth Hall of Fame. (f) The Commission shall induct each confirmed nominee into the "~ommonwealth Hall of Fame" in a ceremony on the eighth of December of each year or at such time and place as it deems appropriate. Section 10. Staffing: Subject to Budget Limitations- The Cdssion is authorized to use or employ such staff as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act. The employees shall Page 5 of 7

7 PUBLIC LAW NO SENATE BILL NO S.D.2, ll.d.1 be employees on loan from the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs or hired by the Commission as classified employees consistent with the rules and regulations adopted by the Commission; PROVIDED. however, that the Director shall be appointed by the Commission with the advice and consent of the Senate; PROVIDED, further that the Director may be removed by the affirmative vote of 6 members of the Commission. The Director my exercise such authority as the Commission delegates to him. The Commission shall be an independent agency of the Commonwealth Government. Section 11. Select Committee. The Commission may empower a Select Committee on Nominations composed of 5 members of the Commission which ;=;I nominate eligible persons to slrpplernelri ii~minations b$ petition under Section 8 of this Act for induction into the 'lcommonwealth Hall of Fame." Section 12. Special Provisions. In addition to Section 7 of this Act, the Commission may recognize those persons whose achievements. acts and deeds have contributed to the overall development of the Commonwealth and shall be fittingly bestow public honor in the "Commonwealth Hall of Fame" for posterity. Such persons may include: (a) former Governors and Lieutenant Governors of the Commonwealth; (b) former members of the District Legislature, Congress of Micronesia and the Municipal Councils; (c) Mcnbers of the Commonwealth law enforcement agency killed in the line of duty;

8 PUBIJC IZW NO SENATE BILL NO. 3-8, S.D.2. H.D.l (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) former Washington Representatives; former judges of the Commonwealth judicial system; former Commissioners and Playors; former Constitutional Convention delegates; and former members of the Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature. Section 13. Inscription. "Commonwealth Hall of Fame." The name of each inductee shall be inscribed on a bronze or similarly appropriate plaque to be publicly displayed in the "Commonwealth Hall of Fane." Each person inducted shall receive a medal commemorative of the occasion. Section 14. Effective Date. This Act shall take effect upon its apprnval by t:~e (:o-rernor or upon its ~PCW~IIZ law without ~ucir aporovzl. - Chief Clerk Pedro P. Tcnorio/ Governor / Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands