PRESIDENT NOTE'S VISIT TO SPRINGDALE, ARKANSAS
Washington D.C., May 27, 2003— RMI President Kessai H. Note and Mrs. Note made an official visit for the second time to Springdale, Arkansas from May 23 to 26 to attend the celebration of the Twenty-Fourth Constitution Day Commemoration organized by the Marshallese community in Springdale. The President and Mrs. Note visited the Marshallese community in the area on their way to Washington D.C. to meet with the key officials in the U.S. Administration and important organizations whose work includes daily monitoring of activities of the U.S. Congress.
The President along with a small delegation conducted a Town Hall meeting before the official opening ceremony that was well attended by the Marshallese community in Springdale and those visiting from out-of-state. Due to time constraints on Friday, the community requested another meeting with the President, which was held after the combined church service Sunday afternoon. “It is imperative that all Marshallese are fully aware of the Compact negotiation process and related issues that may affect their livelihood,” said President Note. “I was pleased with the turn out of both community meetings and to hear various types of concerns raised. We will continue to educate the various communities in the U.S. and hope to visit a few more in the next few months. I think people were pleased with the fact that the proposed economic package, including the immigration provision, is far better than the current 15 year agreement that is currently expired” he said.
The President took a little time off his busy schedule on Saturday afternoon to go on a tour around the Springdale area guided by Chief of Staff, Steve Gray, from Arkansas Congressman Boozman’s office. “Although the Congressman could not be in town at the last minute, he made certain that the President’s visit to Springdale was a most memorable and enjoyable one,” said Gray.
With the invitation from the Marshallese community church leaders in Springdale, the President and First Lady, along with members of the RMI delegation, attended an historical combined church service Sunday morning. Later that evening, the President and First Lady attended a packed gymnasium at the Bulldog High School for the Battle of the Band/Raffle event organized by the community leaders. “It was great to see so many young children with smiles on their faces and enjoying the island music. It felt like we were back in the islands,” she First Lady Note.
“We made sure to use this rare opportunity of visiting with our people in one place to educate and respond to their questions on the Compact,” said Minister Zackios. “I believe we were successful with our mission for the event and will continue with this type of outreach program mainly to address any outstanding issues or concerns that our people may have. I was pleased with the feedback from the many people that we met with immediately after the two Town Hall meetings,” he said.
Ambassador deBrum led an advance team to Springdale which included Embassy staff and Mrs. Carmen Chong Gum that met with Tyson’s Food Inc., and a Round Table meeting with representatives from the local Social Security Administration, Homeland Security, Police Department, Arkansas State Revenue office, and various local employers of Marshallese in the Northwest Arkansas area. Some of the issues discussed included EAD, I-94, I-9 form, state driver’s license, state ID, application process for social security numbers, employment and capacity building/training. “We were glad to have clarified some of the ongoing concerns by our citizens in the Northwest Arkansas area with these local agencies. I strongly feel we made a lot of progress in terms of educating these agencies and finding solutions to some of the issues of concern by our people. It’s a two way street and we will do our part to make sure that our citizens also do their homework before applying for these documents,” said Ambassador deBrum.
Minister and Mrs. Gerald Zackios, Speaker and Mrs. Litokwa Tomeing, Senator Maynard Alfred, Ambassador and Mrs. Banny deBrum, CNO Executive Director Bobby Muller, Legal Counsel Greg Danz, Deputy Chief of Mission and Mrs. Mattlan Zackhras, Presidential staffs and RMI Embassy staffs accompanied the President on this trip to Springdale, Arkansas.
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