Protecting Our Children Starts with Us

April 10, 2026 Newsletters Image I joined the Division of Youth Services, Governor Apatang, and the students of Marianas High School for the Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation and shared a deeply personal reflection on what this issue means to me and to our community. Too often, conversations about abuse feel distant, but for many in our islands, it is part of lived experience. What we pass on to the next generation is not just what we intend, but what we do. Breaking cycles takes a conscious decision to change and to create something different moving forward. At the center of that is a simple idea. The most important thing we can give our children is not just love, but safety. Our team at the Congressional Office was also there to connect with students and share information on federal programs that can support their education and future opportunities. I am grateful to everyone who continues this work and for the commitment across our community to the well-being of our children.