WHEREAS, the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority (COTA) was established by CNMI Public Law 17-43 to develop and establish a public transportation system in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority was established on May 27, 2011 as an answer to the growing need of access to public transportation in the CNMI and to take on a leading role in promoting and enhancing public transportation for our community; and
WHEREAS, the COTA’s mission is to provide the citizens of our communities with a dependable, reliable, safe and cost-effective public transit system in order to reduce energy consumption, strengthen cultural values, and contribute to the economic development of the residents of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, public transportation must always be regarded as the link, and never the barrier, to accessing training, employment, childcare, and related destination in the CNMI; and
WHEREAS, the COTA understands the unique needs of rural passengers and strives to make these critical services available to meet those needs; and
WHEREAS, the COTA endeavors to provide these services equally to all passengers with helpful, courteous, and respectful customer service regardless of age, background, abilities, income, or gender; and
WHEREAS, the COTA encompasses passengers, community stakeholders, and elected officials in its service planning; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority under the Office of the Governor, jointly recognizes its partnering agencies and CNMI community members for its outstanding trust and commitment in sustaining and strengthening the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority for the past 11 years;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RALPH DLG. TORRES, Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the Commonwealth, do hereby proclaim July 2022 as
CNMI PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION MONTH
I call upon the people of the CNMI to celebrate and promote the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority and encourage greater participation among our diverse communities through the utilization of the COTA’s resources as their primary or alternative mode of transportation within our Commonwealth.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand on this 14th day of July 2022.
/s/
RALPH DLG. TORRES
Governor
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