President Mori Travels to Chuuk for National Prayer Day

Press Release #1109-29
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
November 24, 2009

Last year, President Mori signed a proclamation declaring Thanksgiving Day each year to be National Prayer Day, and celebrated the inaugural National Prayer Day in Palikir.  (See the following link for last year’s write-up http://www.fsmpio.fm/RELEASES/2008/november/prayer_day.html).  The President’s vision for this day is to be a day on which FSM leaders can come together in fellowship to strengthen their relationship with the Almighty, their relationship with each other, and their relationship with their constituents.   The President also intends that the day should be used for mending and improving relationship among leaders for the sake of the people and country.

Based on the success of the first National Prayer Day and its importance to enhance collaboration among leaders, President Mori has decided to rotate the event among the FSM states.  This year, the National Prayer Day celebration will be held in Chuuk on Thursday, November 26th, 2009, at Saramen Chuuk Academy’s school gymnasium.  As before, President Mori has invited the FSM Congress, all four State Governors, and Chuuk State leaders from government, community and church to participate in the event.  Attendance this year is expected to reach 1000.  The event will be broadcast live via V6AK on the radio and on the internet at FSM Telecom’s website at http://www.fm/chuuk/radio.htm.  The program will be held in the Chuukese language to facilitate the public’s participation. 

The program begins at 9:30 a.m. (Chuuk local time) and goes through lunch with keynote addresses from Fr. Fernando Titus, Rev. Asaichy Sana and Deacon Julio Akapito.  Remarks will also be heard from President Mori, Floor Leader of the FSM Congress Joe Suka, Chuuk State Governor Wesley Simina, Chuuk State Senate President Mark Mailo, Chuuk State House Speaker Singkoro Harper, FSM Congressman Tiwiter Aritos, Chuuk State Supreme Court Chief Justice Camilo Noket,  and FSM Supreme Court Chief Justice Andon Amaraich.  As per tradition, a Thanksgiving Day lunch will also be served to participants.

While in Chuuk, the President also intends to participate in Saramen Chuuk Academy’s Cultural Day celebration on the morning of the 27th and then go to Sino Memorial School on Tonoas Island for the inauguration of one of three FSM Telecenter Projects that was funded through the Japan Government Extra-Budgetary contribution to the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Development Program supporting ICT pilot projects in rural areas.