Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Services): November 7, 2006 - President Joseph J. Urusemal has called for the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia to convene in Palikir for a four-day Special Session from November 6 - 9, 2006.

The Fifth Special Session of the 14^th FSM Congress is in its second day of deliberations on the various measures submitted by the Executive Branch. Primary among the measures submitted by the President is FY-07 Budget Act, which needs to be amended to reflect all of JEMCO's imposed changes to the Compact sector grants;

Several line-item matters are also before Congress for consideration, including a line-item budget request to appropriate $270,000 from local revenues to the College of Micronesia - FSM for Work Study. Considering the Supplemental Educational Grant (SEG) for FY-07 has yet to be approved - by either Congress or JEMCO, the President notes in his transmittal letter to Speaker Peter M. Christian that the college urgently requests the Governments assistance towards the work study program.

Among the other issues submitted for consideration by Congress are the nominations to the various national boards.

The Special Session is expected to wrap up on Thursday - November 9, 2006.