October 21, 2022

Welcome back to the PICS High School Robotics team from Pohnpei, representing the Federated States of Micronesia at the First Global Robotics Challenge in Geneva, Switzerland!     Governor Oliver joined Senator Jack Harris, Senator Mitaro Simina, Senator Jayson Walter, Senator Kikuo Apis Jr., Senator Steven Joseph, and the Acting Director of Education Pressler Martin, along with families, friends, and students of the PICS High School team to welcome them home on the afternoon of October 19, 2022.     Before the students deplaned, they were greeted and afforded a rare honor by the Pohnpei Port Authority, Aircraft Rescue, and Firefighting Trucks with a water salute.     Governor Oliver met the students and advisors in the VIP room at the airport to personally congratulate and thank them for their achievements on behalf of the Speaker, Legislature, government, and people of Pohnpei.  Advisor Tekaeto Diopolous and Darla Ladore told Governor Oliver of the many challenges that the students faced and overcame, including losing their robot built in Pohnpei and having to build a new robot in less than a day that was qualified for the competition.  Acting Director Martin advised Governor that the PICS High School placed first among small countries in the competition.     In his remarks, Governor Oliver said “You represented not only FSM but Pohnpei, specifically.  We thank you for representing us and representing us very well.  We are very, very proud of you.” He was happy to hear that one of the things they learned during this global competition beyond robotics, was unity, cooperation, and working together for a common goal.  He reminded them of the advice he gave them on their first visit to the Governor’s Office before they departed for Switzerland, to continue to use their knowledge and skills in robotics to tackle challenging issues at home.     The students were honored by a Pohnpei State Police escort back to PICS High School followed by family and friends.     Congratulations! PICS High School Robotics Team! Teacher/Advisor: Tekaeto Diopolous Education Specialist: Darla Ladore Students: Chennelle Cantero, Eberhard Salons, Einstein Halbert, J.C. Curley and Norman Pedrus

On Friday, October 14, 2022, Governor Oliver joined H.E. David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), T.H. Esmond Moses, Vice Speaker of the 22nd FSM Congress, T.H. Marvin T. Yamaguchi, Speaker of the 10th Pohnpei State Legislature and his Royal Highness, IsoNahnken of Nett, Salvador Iriarte to open the new medical wing of the Pohnpei State Hospital.     Funded by the FSM National Government and the Asian Development Bank, the new medical wing, increases the 91-bed capacity of the Pohnpei State Hospital with an additional 16 beds.  The new private rooms are air-conditioned, comfortable, and spacious, with their own bathrooms, and furnished with couches, mini refrigerators, and flat-screen televisions. Each room is also connected to the Hospital’s electronic medical records system, there is a Nurse’s station, and the medical wing has its own backup generator.     In his welcoming remarks on behalf of the people and government of Pohnpei, Governor Oliver conveyed his gratitude to the traditional leadership of Nett for the use of the land, he thanked President Panuelo and the FSM Congress for their support to fund this project, which also came from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).  Governor Oliver thanked the Speaker and members of the 10th Pohnpei State Legislature for their support, also to Director Wincener David and the staff of the Pohnpei State Hospital.  He also expressed gratitude to the contractor, Black Sand Construction, for constructing such a beautiful structure.  Governor Oliver concluded his remarks by explaining that while these are private rooms, they are not for one group of people over another.  They are not just for Pohnpei or FSM residents, but for everyone who requires medical treatment and hospitalization at Pohnpei State Hospital.     The “key” to the new hospital wing, was turned over to Governor Oliver by President Panuelo.  Governor Oliver turned over the key to the Director of Health Services, Wincener David.       Both H.E. David W. Panuelo and His Royal Highness, IsoNahnken of Nett delivered remarks and the First Lady of FSM and Pohnpei cut the ribbon to officially open the new hospital wing