GIFF JOHNSON
The fifth Marshall Islands Constitutional Convention got underway in Majuro October 28 with an opening ceremony at which President Hilda Heine exhorted Con-Con delegates “to leave personal and individual agendas at the door of this hall.”
A total of 40 of the 45 elected delegates and irooj/owner representatives were in attendance. Nitijela Chaplain Rev. Lawson Matauto delivered prayers for the opening.
Nitijela Speaker Brenson Wase and Nitijela Member and first Con-Con delegate Kessai Note were nominated for the Con-Con presidency. In a secret ballot vote, Wase defeated Note by a slim margin 21-19.
The other two Con-Con officers were unopposed: Vice President Cutty Wase and Secretary Laurence Edwards, II. Both are attorneys.
President Heine offered both some history and a call for leaving self-interests aside.
“The words of our Preamble are not mere words on a page,” she said. “They are a solemn declaration of the fundamental principles upon which our nation is built, affirming the source of our rights, freedoms, and responsibilities. Our Constitution does not create these rights and powers. Rather, it recognizes that they are inherent gifts from God, entrusted to the people, and establishes a government whose duty is to protect and uphold them.”
President Heine continued: “Our Constitution opens with powerful words: We, the people. Not we, the government. Not we, the few. We, the people. Every power exercised in this Republic whether by the Nitijela, by the Cabinet, by the courts, and by this Convention, flows from the people and it has always been our responsibility to hold it in trust for all Marshallese.”
She spoke plainly about the work of the Con-Con.
“A constitution shaped for the benefit of a few will not endure,” she said. “A constitution shaped for the benefit of all will outlast every one of us. Ask yourselves, with every proposal: Does this serve the people of the Marshall Islands — all of them, in every atoll, in every generation?
“Let this Convention be remembered not for who won or lost a vote, but for how faithfully its members served the nation. Let it be remembered as a time when the people’s representatives rose above self-interest and chose unity.”
During the ceremony, High Court Judge Witten Philippo swore in the delegates present. Later, after the election, the three officers were similarly sworn in.
Toward the end, Kwajalein Irooj representative Mayor Hirata Kabua raised his hand and offered a brief song written for the event — A cappella style — much to the delight of the delegates.
There was some discussion about induction activities, with Con-Con President Wase suggesting the delegates meet to discuss this.
Kwajalein Delegate David Paul put in a motion shortly after 12noon for the body to recess to await the call of the President. It was seconded and supported by delegates, wrapping up the Con-Con’s first day.