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SPC. Cwislyn Walter

Micronesia Region Loses First Female Casualty In Operation Iraqi Freedom

Washington, D.C. – As reported by the Pentagon, a 19-year-old soldier from the Hawaii National Guard was fatally wounded on Thursday, February 19, in a noncombat-related incident in Kuwait. Specialist Cwislyn K. Walter, born in Chuuk (Micronesia) and raised on Guam, was assigned to the 29th Special Troops Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Hawaii National Guard.   More

Testimony to Congress

Washington, D.C. (February 25, 2009) – Today, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs, Nikolao Pula delivered a Statement on H.R. 934 and testimony on H.R. 860 to the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife.

Secretary Convenes White House Interagency Group on Insular Affairs; U.S. Island Governors and Delegates Discuss Priorities

U.S. island leaders at the Interagency Group session included, from left, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Camacho Sablan of the Northern Mariana Islands; U.S. Congressman Eni Faleomavaega of American Samoa; Gov. Benigno Fitial of the Northern Mariana Islands; Gov. Togiola Tulafono of American Samoa; Secretary Salazar; Gov. John deJongh of the U.S. Virgin Islands; U.S. Congresswoman Donna Christensen of the U.S. Virgin Islands; Gov. Felix Camacho of Guam; and U.S. Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo of Guam. [Photo by Tami Heilemann, DOI]

Washington, D.C. (February 10, 2009) – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today told U.S. island leaders that he will promote a more active and effective working relationship with them through the White House Interagency Group on Insular Affairs.

“We plan to use the Interagency Group as the means for extensive consultation with the island Governors and Members of Congress to coordinate significant decisions, and to advocate a collaborative approach to the Federal Government’s responsibilities to insular areas,” Salazar said. “We will promote a vision for the Department of the Interior that moves beyond the traditional western focus and reaches all the people of America, including the insular areas – a vision for the Department of America.”  Salazar said he would work with island leaders to ensure the Interagency Group is working effectively with the best organizational structure. More