Yap State Constitutional Convention : Papers

Registered files of the Constitutional Convention, including: resolutions and reports of Convention committees; agenda, journals and verbatim transcripts (in Yapese, Ulithian and English) of the proceedings of the Committee of the Whole and Plenary Sessions; proposals; resolutions; drafts of the Constitution; correspondence and related administrative documents.

Source of title - Supplied

In 1947 the UN set up, under the USA, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), comprising Ponape (then including Kusaie), Truk, Yap, Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands. In 1970s the Northern Marianas became a self governing commonwealth within the US while, from the early 1980s to 1990, the Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) achieved independence in free association with the USA. In 1978 the FSM states of Truk (Chuuk), Ponape (Pohnpei), Kusaie (Kosrae) and Yap drafted constitutions for the 1986 ratification of the Compact of Free Association with the USA. On 16 March 1982 the first Yap State Convention met to draft a constitution for ratification by plebiscite in November. Yap is the only FSM state in which traditional leaders are constitutionally represented, through the Councils of Pilung and of Tamol, and have authority over questions of custom and tradition. The constitution is also unique in Micronesia in mandating a balanced state budget.

Quantity: 6 microfilm reel(s).

Finding Aids: Inventory available.

Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Purchase, PMB, 2002