WHEREAS, for at least five decades Isaac V. Figir has continuously contributed economically, socially and politically to the development of the State of Yap and the Federated States of Micronesia as an elected public servant, as a statesman, and as a citizen of the State of Yap; and

WHEREAS, the distinguished public career of Isaac V. Figir are too numerous to be individually listed herein, however they include, but not limited to, his work with Micronesian Legal Services Corporation, working with and representation on the Commission on the Future Political Status Transition of the Micronesian Islands, and serving for more than forty years in the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia; and

WHEREAS, Isaac V. Figir, a native and son of Yap completed his primary and secondary education in his home before pursuing higher education abroad where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Guam in 1972 and earned a Master of Arts in Community Development from Southern Illinois University in 1975, becoming one of the first individuals from Yap to achieve this academic milestone; and

WHEREAS, Isaac V. Figir, upon completion of his studies, returned to Yap and joined the Micronesian Legal Services Corporation (MLSC) as a legal researcher where his dedication and practical insights led to his promotion as a legal counselor, and as he was recognized for his talents, he was later hired as a legal researcher by the Commission on the Future Political Status Transition of the Micronesian Islands, and by 1979, Isaac V. Figir became a member of the historic Commission, playing a key role in shaping the FSM’s journey toward sovereignty and independence—a precursor to his remarkable political career; and

WHEREAS, in 1983, Isaac V. Figir entered the FSM Congress at the age of 36 as the two-year representative from Yap and, since then, he has been consistently re-elected, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to his constituents. During his early years in Congress, he chaired the Committee on External Affairs and held memberships on the Committees on Health, Education, and Social Affairs, as well as Resources and Development, and over the years, he has continued to lead key committees, including Judiciary and Governmental Operations and Ways and Means, while contributing to nation-building efforts across various domains; and

WHEREAS, as a seasoned legislator, Isaac V. Figir has led the FSM Congress to numerous regional and international conferences as he is a strong advocate for environmental protection, and he participated in the 1994 Conference on Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States in Barbados, the 1995 Asia Pacific Leaders Conference on Climate Change in Manila, and led the FSM delegation to the first ever Climate Change Convention of the Parties (COP I) in Berlin and subsequent COPs, and further as a co-author of FSM’s landmark Climate Change Act, Figir was instrumental in garnering international recognition for the nation’s proactive environmental policies, and in 2014, the FSM Congress was honored by GLOBE (Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment) for its Climate Change law — a statute championed by Senator Figir, and he recently co-sponsored the successful 2023 amendment to the FSM Constitution, declaring every citizen’s right to a healthy environment; and

WHEREAS, under his leadership as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Isaac V. Figir continued to demonstrate exceptional fiscal management and visionary leadership and when in 2015, with the FSM Trust Fund valued at approximately $54 million, and Figir, through his sharp wit and strategic persuasion, played a leading role in Congress’ direct appropriations of millions of dollars into the FSM Trust Fund, and his unwavering focus on financial sustainability and resourcefulness led to the FSM Trust Fund’s unprecedented growth, exceeding half a billion dollars by 2025; and

WHEREAS, Senator Figir’s pride in FSM’s sovereignty and his unwavering commitment to economic independence have been central themes throughout his career from the FSM’s transition as the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands under U.S. administration to a constitutional government, and he played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s identity and was instrumental in the negotiations and implementation of the Compact of Free Association with the United States, inclusive of the two Amendments thereof in the last twenty years, and to further demonstrate his abilities as a skilled politician, he co-sponsored a resolution calling for the termination of the second Compact, strategically sparking nation-wide discussions and leading to the creation of the Joint Committee on Compact Review and Planning, with this decisive action ensuring the FSM’s sovereignty and interests were vigorously represented, and moreover, through his legislative efforts, Isaac V. Figir consistently championed reducing reliance on external aid while fostering economic independence, solidifying his legacy as a leader dedicated to the FSM’s progress as a strong, self-reliant nation and exemplifying his cultural roots as a true son of the State of Yap with his foremost principle of self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, the members of this Legislature recognize and appreciate Isaac V. Figir’s distinguished, dedicated and unselfish contributions to the governments of the State of Yap and the Federated States of Micronesia, to the Yapese society and the Yapese people, both as a statesman and a son of the State of Yap; and

WHEREAS, it is the sense of the members of the Legislature of the State of Yap that Isaac V. Figir is deserving of the utmost sincere gratitude, praise and appreciation for his numerous contributions to the development of the State of Yap; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Eleventh Legislature of the State of Yap, Third Regular Session, 2025, that the Legislature hereby expresses its deepest appreciation and gratitude of the people and government of the State of Yap to Isaac V. Figir for the exceptionally distinguished government services and valuable contributions to the State of Yap; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to Isaac V. Figir; the Speaker of the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia; the Chairman of the Yap Congressional Delegation, the Governor of the State of Yap; the Chief Justice of the State of Yap; the Chairman of the Council of Pilung; and the Chairman of the Council of Tamol.