Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize His Excellency, the Most Reverend Ryan Pagente Jimenez, D.D., as the Second Bishop of Chalan Kanoa, Northern Mariana Islands

Volumus Iesum Videre--``We would like to see Jesus'' (John 12:21).

In a world marked by challenges and uncertainty, these words encapsulate a profound spiritual longing: the desire to see and encounter Christ. With this guiding principle, the Most Reverend Ryan Pagente Jimenez, as the second Bishop of Chalan Kanoa, undertook the mission to embody and share the presence, love, and light of Jesus with the people of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Born on December 18, 1971, in Dumaguete City, Philippines, to Rogelio and Lilia Jimenez, Ryan Pagente Jimenez grew up in Siquijor with his three siblings. His vocational journey began at Saint Joseph Seminary in Negros Oriental, where he first discerned his call to the priesthood. He later pursued a Bachelor's degree in Pre-Divinity at the Ateneo de Manila University, graduating in 1992 from San Jose Major Seminary. His post-graduate experience included work as a Jesuit Volunteer and as a high school teacher, roles that deepened his commitment to service. In 1995, his path led him to the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, where he began a new chapter as a teacher at Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja on Rota.

Answering the call to priesthood, Ryan was accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa by the late Bishop Tomas Aguon Camacho. He completed his theological studies at Saint Patrick's Seminary and University in California, earning a Bachelor's in Sacred Theology and a Master's degree in Divinity and Theology in 2003. He was ordained a priest on June 8, 2003, by Bishop Camacho at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral. Over the years, Father Ryan served in numerous capacities, including Parish Priest, Rector, Chancellor, and Superintendent of Catholic Schools, building a foundation for future leadership.

On November 28, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Father Ryan as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, following the resignation of Bishop Camacho and the unexpected passing of the then- Apostolic Administrator. In this role, Father Ryan provided spiritual leadership to over 43,000 Catholics in the CNMI. On June 24, 2016, Pope Francis appointed him as the second Bishop of Chalan Kanoa. His episcopal ordination on August 14, 2016, was presided over by Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, S.D.B., with Bishops Julito Cortes and Tomas Camacho as co-consecrators.

Bishop Ryan's leadership was marked by the development of a 5-year pastoral plan, focusing on Evangelization and Faith Formation, Marriage and Family Life, Youth, Vocation, Liturgy, and Social Justice and Outreach. This plan emerged from extensive listening sessions and sought to guide the Diocese toward a shared mission of discipleship. His efforts emphasized unity, pastoral programs, youth ministry, and fostering dialogue within and beyond the Church community.

An advocate for education, Bishop Ryan championed Catholic education and faith formation programs, supporting initiatives like the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) and the Commission on the Youth. He led a delegation of 40 from the Diocese to the World Youth Day celebrations in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2023, demonstrating his dedication to nurturing the faith of the young.

In 2024, Bishop Ryan was elected President of the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (CEPAC) and Vice President of the Federation of Catholic Bishops' Conferences of Oceania (FCBCO). On July 6, 2024, Pope Francis appointed him as the Fourth Archbishop of Agana in Guam.

Archbishop Ryan Jimenez has left an enduring legacy in the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, characterized by humility, faith, and commitment to pastoral care. His leadership has shaped a vibrant, resilient, and united community inspired by the call to ``see Jesus.'' His contributions continue to guide the faithful as they carry forward his mission. Volumus Iesum Videre. We would like to see Jesus.

Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing the Court Improvement Equity Act which authorizes grants to improve child welfare services in Guam, American Samoa, and my district, the Northern Mariana Islands.

As it stands, courts located in the Pacific territories are the only entities that do not receive support from the Court Improvement Program (CIP) under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act. In all other territories and states, the CIP provides a grant to the highest court of appeal to assess and improve the handling of foster care and adoption proceedings.

Every child, regardless of where they grow up in our country, has the right to a safe, secure, and nurturing family. My bill would enshrine this right by extending the same base grant currently available everywhere else to our islands.

The gentleman from Guam, Mr. Moylan, is an original cosponsor of the bill. I urge my colleagues to support this vital bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill that would require the United States Census Bureau to conduct a census every five years in the U.S. insular areas of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This legislation is necessary because the priority, availability, timeliness, and types of data collected by federal agencies in the insular areas remains deficient compared to data collection in the states. Without accurate and timely information on changes in the economy, employment, income levels, and other key indicators, insular governments are hindered in the establishment of appropriate policy. And without these data, governments and the public are less able to assess the effectiveness of policies that have been established.

Every decade, the Census Bureau conducts a census throughout the country to determine the number of people living in the country In the insular areas, detailed demographic, housing, and socioeconomic data is also collected in the decennial census using a ``long-form'' questionnaire consisting of about 75 questions. The decennial census conducted in the states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico only asks 10 questions because the vital information gathered in the decennial census is now acquired annually in the American Community Survey. Unfortunately, the American Community Survey does not collect critical data from the insular areas.

As an alternative to annual surveys, my bill would require the Census Bureau to conduct a mid-decade census in the insular areas. The bill starts the first mid-decade census in 2035 and in addition to the decennial census, a census will be conducted every five years. This will provide more current data in the insular areas, like that provided by five-year estimates produced by the American Community Survey. Having a mid-decade census will also enable insular governments and the Census Bureau to plan and conduct data collection efforts that are often logistically challenging in these diverse, remote regions.

I ask my colleagues for their support in achieving equitable statistical data collection for the territories.