Pacific

CNMI delegate to US Congress sworn in

07:45 am on 6 January 2017

The Northern Marianas Congressman Gregorio Kilili Sablan was sworn-in to an unprecedented fifth term this week as the CNMI's non-voting delegate to U.S. Congress.

Congressman Gregorio Kilili Sablan is accompanied by family and supporters while being sworn in by U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan. Photo: Supplied

He took his oath of office along with 439 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives and remains the only one elected to that office since it was created in 2008.

Our correspondent said Mr Sablan's campaign for re-election focused on his long list of legislative accomplishments.

He said since taking the role, the congressman has successfully increased funding for island schools, roads, water systems, for food and medical assistance for the poor, and to address violence against women.

He was also able to enact laws giving back ownership of submerged lands to the people of the CNMI and to extend the immigration transition period, important to the islands' economy.

Gregorio Kilili Sablan ran unopposed during the November 2016 elections.

The unofficial vote tally from the Commonwealth Election Commission gave Sablan 9,417 votes, 868 more than he won in the last election in 2014.