WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, enacted on March 24, 1976.
“Fifty years ago, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands exercised their right of self-determination,” King-Hinds said. “They negotiated with the United States to create a government based on democracy, mutual consent, and shared values. The result is a relationship unlike any other: the CNMI is the only U.S. territory to have this unique, voluntary political union with the United States.”
The Covenant was signed in Saipan on February 15, 1975, and overwhelmingly approved in a local plebiscite before President Gerald Ford signed it into law on March 24, 1976, establishing the Northern Mariana Islands as a self-governing Commonwealth under U.S. sovereignty.
King-Hinds said the CNMI’s contributions to the nation have extended well beyond its size. “Since that time, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands have proudly contributed to our nation through military and public service, while strengthening America’s presence in the Indo-Pacific,” she said. “Though small in size, the CNMI has a significant impact, driving economic growth, tourism, and strategic stewardship in a region of increasing global importance.”
On the milestone, King-Hinds called on all Americans to reflect on the power of self-determination and honor the legacy of the islands’ founders. “Fifty years later, the Covenant remains a shining example of what can be achieved when people choose freedom, democracy, and partnership,” she said.
