THE CNMI America 250 Commission will be planning and implementing events and local activities leading up to the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the nation’s Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.
Established by Gov. Arnold I. Palacios on Aug. 8, 2024, the commission consists of 11 members whom he appointed and is chaired by Northern Marianas Humanities Council Executive Director Leo Pangelinan.
Their responsibilities include “developing and implementing a comprehensive plan for organizing and coordinating events, activities, and initiatives to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation, and the 50th anniversary of the founding of our Commonwealth,” Pangelinan said.
The CNMI Commission obtained $10,000 from America250 to support the local initiatives, secure a domain name for a website, and join other territories in a national effort to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S.
Pangelinan said the commission will also foster collaboration among government agencies, community organizations, cultural institutions, private sector entities, and other stakeholders “to ensure a unified and successful commemoration.”
They will “promote public engagement and participation by organizing educational programs, exhibitions, cultural performances, parades, festivals, conferences, and other related activities,” he said.
The commission will likewise “develop partnerships with relevant federal agencies, state and local governments, national America250 organizations to leverage resources, expertise, and funding opportunities,” he added.
“In the time that we have met, the commission has developed five overarching themes to guide our programmatic activities. We will also ask our partners and community to develop initiatives of their own and lean on our commission to help promote their work,” Pangelinan said.
The group is in the process of establishing a website (america250cnmi.org) and Facebook/Instagram accounts (@cnmi250) as primary platforms for distributing information about the work of the commission.
Besides Pangelinan, the other members of the commission are Sen. Corina L. Magofna, Rep. Malcolm Omar, Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho, Tinian and Aguiguan Mayor Edwin P. Aldan, Rota Mayor Aubrey M. Hocog, Northern Islands Mayor Valentino N. Taisacan Jr., Northern Marianas College Archivist Ray Muna, Indigenous Affairs Office Resident Executive Luella I. Marciano, Carolinian Affairs Office Executive Assistant Felix R. Nogis, and Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Frank M. Rabauliman.
Pangelinan said their work is also supported in part by Ignacia Evangelista and Victoria Bellas under the Office of the Governor.