Photo: Chewy Lin.
In her Constitution Day speech last Thursday, President Hilda Heine put her finger on a point that goes to the heart of the nation as it marked 46 years of constitutional government.
After outlining many positive developments in recent times, she commented on the heavy outflow of Marshallese to the United States.
“The critical question is, as our people migrate, who then will step forward to continue to build our Marshall Islands if we continue to choose this easier path?” the President asked.
Heine said Marshallese are choosing what they see as a better path for getting ahead by migrating to the US and added, this raises serious issues for the country to consider.
“Despite our achievements over the years, it should be obvious to all of us that many of our people are choosing to leave our country for greener pastures in the United States and elsewhere,” the President said to the event held at the Jenrok track and field. “They are moving in pursuit of better opportunities. As I see it, our people are choosing better and easier paths to personal success.”
But, she asked, who will step up and take what could be a more difficult path to build the Marshall Islands for the future?
“Now more than ever, we need Marshallese patriots to choose the other path,” she said. “The path that leads back to our shores. A path that is not always easy. But a path that leads to a brighter Marshall Islands.”
In other comments during Constitution Day, President Heine listed three recently accomplishments moving the country forward.
“Earlier this week, we commemorated the 32nd year of the founding of the College of the Marshall Islands, our nation’s premier institution of higher learning,” she said. “As part of CMI’s Foundation Day celebrations, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for two highly notable projects that will certainly benefit the RMI: 1) the long-anticipated Technical and Vocational Education and Training facility to help our youth acquire skills and competencies for the labor market, and 2) the renewable energy system, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion project, to generate power using deep ocean water.”
Another important development occurred on April 30, she said. “I was honored to join Ministry of Health and Human Services at the blessing and opening of the Majuro hospital Hemodialysis Center,” she said. “This marks a significant milestone amidst the numerous priorities and objectives set forth to improve health outcomes for our people.”
A third important development for the RMI government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce and the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority, is the continuous initiatives in fisheries “seeking opportunities to maximize the benefits of our surrounding ocean.”
“Remarkable advancements” have been made in this sector, with MIMRA contributing the largest portion of locally-generated revenue for the RMI’s national budget each year, with over $30 million coming in annually from the “vessel day scheme” that governments the purse seine tuna fishing industry.
“There are many other achievements not mentioned in my remarks today,” she said. “However, these three examples stand as a testament to the progress we have made.”