Speech #1060031420

That timing would have enabled the Committee to revisit the issue in the AprilMay 1997 period after the Administration had transmitted its annual report on the law enforcement initiative. While the CNMI Study was not finally transmitted until April. the Administration did not transmit its annual report. which was due in April. until July. On May 30. 1997. the President wrote the Governor of the Northern Marianas that he was concerned over activities in the Commonwealth and had concluded that federal immigration. naturalization. and minimum wage laws should apply. Given the reaction that followed the Presidents letter. I asked the Administration to provide a drafting service of the language needed to implement the recommendations in the annual report and informed the Governor of the Commonwealth of the request and that the Committee intended to consider the legislation after the Commonwealth had an opportunity to review it.