FALEOMAVAEGA SPEAKS UP FOR AMERICAN SAMOA’S TUNA CANNERY WORKERS AT HEARING ON ANDEAN TRADE
October 21, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that on October 6, 2004 the International Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere held a hearing regarding the impact U.S. investment disputes in Peru and Ecuador may have on the Andean Free Trade Agreement.
PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS FALEOMAVAEGA’S TAX BOND BILL INTO LAW
October 18, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that on Saturday October 16, 2004 President George W. Bush signed into law H.R. 982, a bill he introduced to improve the local economy by providing the American Samoa Government with the authority to issue bonds exempt from state and federal taxation.
SENATE PASSES FALEOMAVAEGA’S BILL TO PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS OF AMERICAN SAMOA’S ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS; PRESIDENT BUSH EXPECTED TO SIGN BILL INTO LAW WITHIN 30 DAYS
October 11, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that on Wednesday September 15, 2004 the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed, by unanimous consent, H.R. 2010, a bill he introduced to allow military and overseas voters to participate in federal elections held in American Samoa. On the evening of Sunday October 10, 2004, the United States Senate also unanimously passed H.R. 2010 and the bill has now been sent to President George W. Bush who is expected to sign Faleomavaega’s bill into law within the next thirty days.
FALEOMAVAEGA SUPPORTS BILL TO PROVIDE CNMI WITH A NONVOTING DELEGATE
September 29, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he supports H.R. 5135, a bill to provide CNMI with a nonvoting Delegate. The bill was introduced on September 23, 2004 and was unanimously passed by the Resources Committee on the morning of September 29, 2004. The three territorial Delegates, including Congressman Faleomavaega, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (Guam) and Congresswoman Donna Christensen (VI) were at the mark-up and voted in favor of the bill. The hearing was open to the public and CNMI’s Resident Representative, Pete Tenorio, was in attendance.
FALEOMAVAEGA REQUESTS $2 MILLION TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATE HEALTH CONCERNS IN AMERICAN SAMOA
September 24, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has been working closely with the other Territorial Delegates, including Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo and Congresswoman Donna Christensen, to increase funding for Medicaid in the insular areas. Last week, the Delegates cosponsored an amendment to the Labor, Health and Education appropriations and, as part of an agreement, withdrew the amendment with the understanding that Chairman Joe Barton of the Energy Committee and Chairman Dan Burton of the Government Reform Committee would continue working with the insular areas to provide temporary relief for FY05 until a more permanent fix could be considered in the 109th Congress.
FEDERAL FUNDS WILL BE INCREASED FROM 75% TO 90% TO HELP AMERICAN SAMOA RECOVER FROM CYCLONE HETA
September 22, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has informed his office that it has amended its major disaster declaration and federal funds will now be authorized at 90% to help American Samoa recover from Tropical Cyclone Heta.
SENATE INOUYE, CHAIRMAN YOUNG AND CONGRESSMAN RAHALL SUPPORT FALEOMAVAEGA’S EFFORT FOR TEMPORARY AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER IN AMERICAN SAMOA
September 21, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Republican Chairman Don Young of the House Transportation Committee and Congressman Nick Rahall, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Resources, have signed on to a letter with him to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, the Honorable Norm Mineta, urging the Department of Transportation (DOT)’s support of a temporary air traffic control tower in American Samoa.
AMERICAN SAMOA TO RECEIVE OVER $2.2 MILLION FROM THE USEPA FOR TAFUNA PLAINS SEWER PROJECT AND AN INCREASE OF $880,000 FOR CONSOLIDATED GRANT PROGRAM
September 14, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that American Samoa will be receiving over $3 million in additional funding from the federal government to assist with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) programs in the Territory.
THREE SAMOAN NFL PLAYERS MAKE WASHINGTON REDSKINS SQUAD
September 11, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega today is pleased to announce that three Samoan NFL Players have been selected for the Washington Redskins player’s list for this year’s football season. Having met the players recently, Faleomavaega wished to share this information with our Samoan community especially because these players reside within the Washington, D.C. area.
14 YEAROLD SAMOAN-TONGAN JUNIOR GOLFER HAS BEEN SELECTED TO REPRESENT THE U.S. IN THE 2004 JUNIOR GOLF RYDER CUP TOURNAMENT
September 11, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that Samoa “Tony” Mapu Finau was recently selected as one of six male participants representing the United States in the 2004 Junior Ryder Cup at the Westfield Group Country Club in Westfield Center, Ohio on September 11-12, 2004.
FALEOMAVAEGA MEETS WITH U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICIALS REGARDING THEIR UPCOMING VISIT TO AMERICAN SAMOA
September 10, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he met with U.S. Department of Education officials regarding their upcoming trip to American Samoa. The meeting was held in Congressman’s Faleomavaega’s Washington DC office on September 8, 2004. Among those attending the meeting were U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education, Jeanette J. Lim, Chief Financial Officer Jack Martin, Philip Maestri, Director of the Management Improvement Team, and Mark Robinson, Information Technology Advisor for Financial Improvement and Post Audit Operations.
AMERICAN SAMOA HEAD START PROGRAM TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $2.2 MILLION FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
September 7, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that in the federal government’s ongoing commitment to improving education in the Territory, American Samoa’s Head Start program will receive more than $2.2 million for FY 2004.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CONTACTS FALEOMAVAEGA ABOUT ITS PLANS TO MEET WITH AMERICAN SAMOA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
September 3, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the office of the Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) has contacted his office to inform him of upcoming plans by the USDOE to meet with agencies of the American Samoa Government and to ask for his advice in preparation for these meetings. The Congressman plans to meet with USDOE officials next week in his D.C. office to discuss the upcoming visit.
SEA GRANT TO PROVIDE WORKSHOP AND TRAINING FOR GIANT CLAM AND SOFT CORAL MARICULTURE IN AMERICAN SAMOA
September 3, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that at his request the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program will conduct a workshop for giant clam and soft coral mariculture in support of the local project titled, “Initiation of a Community-based Marine Ornamental Giant Clam Industry in American Samoa.” The workshop engages the second phase of the project to establish grow-out clam farms. Also, the workshop is designed to bring technical expertise and training in giant clam and soft coral mariculture to ensure that resident participants have the skills and information to complete the project.
STATE DEPARTMENT WORKING WITH FALEOMAVAEGA TO EXTEND VISAS FOR SAMOANS FROM FIVE TO TEN YEARS
September 1, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that on March 23, 2004 he wrote to the U.S. Secretary of State regarding the visa application process for citizens from the Independent State of Samoa. The Honorable Henry Hyde, Chairman of the International Relations Committee, Ranking Member Tom Lantos, and Chairman James Leach of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific joined with Congressman Faleomavaega in signing the letter to Secretary Powell.
FALEOMAVAEGA ENCOURAGES ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS TO VOTE IN UPCOMING ELECTIONS
September 1, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he is encouraging active duty military personnel and college students to vote in the upcoming elections to be held in American Samoa.
SENATE COMMITTEE FAVORABLY REPORTS FALEOMAVAEGA BILL TO CLARIFY TAX TREATMENT OF BONDS ISSUED BY ASG
July 28, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Senate Finance Committee has favorably reported H.R. 982, a bill he introduced to provide the American Samoa Government with the authority to issue bonds exempt from state and federal taxation.
TWO MORE STUDENTS FROM AMERICAN SAMOA, RICHIE AMISONE AND DAVID KAVA, ACCEPTED BY U.S. MIILTARY ACADEMIES
July 15, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that Mr. Richie Amisone has been accepted to attend the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School at Colorado Springs, Colorado and Mr. David Rotorua Lousiale Kava has been accepted to attend the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (Army-West Point) at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.
AMERICAN SAMOA TO RECEIVE $93,000 FEDERAL GRANT TO HELP CURB JUVENILE OFFENSES
July 15, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that American Samoa has been awarded $93,413.00 in federal grants under the Juvenile Accountability Block Grants program.
COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR SAVUSA SELECTED AS POST COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR FOR SETAF
July 15, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has received news that Command Sergeant Major Iuniasolua (Iuni) Savusa has been selected as Post Command Sergeant Major for the United States Army Southern European Task Force (Airborne) in Italy.
WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER IN AMERICAN SAMOA TO RECEIVE $150,000 FEDERAL GRANT
July 15, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he was informed by the U.S. Small Business Administration that the Native American Samoan Advisory Council (NASAC) has been awarded $150,000 for its Women’s Business Center. National Women’s Business Centers provide assistance and/or training in finance, management, marketing, procurement and the internet. Women Business Centers also provide counseling and access to the SBA’s programs and services.
SENATE HOLDS HEARING ON FALEOMAVAEGA BILL TO PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS AND OVERSEAS VOTERS
July 14, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests held a hearing on H.R. 2010, a bill he introduced to protect the voting rights of active duty service members and overseas voters whose home of residence is American Samoa.
SENATE HOLDS HEARING ON FALEOMAVAEGA BILL TO INCREASE WAIVER REQUIREMENTS
July 14, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests held a hearing on H.R. 1189, a bill he introduced to increase the waiver requirement for certain local matching requirements for grants provided to American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
FALEOMAVAEGA SUPPORTING SENATOR INOUYE AND SENATOR STEVEN’S PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A HOMELAND SECURITY PACIFIC REGION
June 24, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he is supporting a proposal put forth by Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) to establish a homeland security region for Hawaii and Alaska.
PAULINE TAUTU MAKES ACTING DEBUT IN NEW YORK
June 24, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he wishes to join the people of American Samoa in recognizing Ms. Pauline Tautu, a daughter of Samoa, who has made her acting debut in New York City.
STAFF SERGEANT AMERICANA MULITAUAOPELE INJURED IN IRAQ
June 24, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has been informed that one of American Samoa’s sons is among those recently injured in Iraq. SSG Americana Mulitauaopele is the son of the late Aalamoana Suiava Mulitauaopele of Laulii and Lelogoa Faumuina of Leloaloa, American Samoa.
FALEOMAVAEGA SUBMITS STATEMENT FOR 2004 WORLD TUNA CONFERENCE
June 23, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has submitted a statement for the 2004 World Tuna Conference.
U.S. SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROVES FALEOMAVAEGA’S REQUEST TO ESTABLISH VA CLINIC IN AMERICAN SAMOA
June 22, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Honorable Anthony J. Principi, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, has approved Faleomavaega’s request to establish a VA clinic in American Samoa.
FALEOMAVAEGA RESPONDS TO MAOPUTASI REPRESENTATIVE AE AE’S REMARKS ABOUT LOCAL CORRUPTION
June 22, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he is responding to an article published on the front page of the Samoa News on Tuesday June 8, 2004 entitled “Rep Wants Faleomavaega to Speak Out Against Local Corruption.” In the article, Maoputasi Representative Ae Ae accuses Faleomavaega of not speaking out “about the corruption that currently plagues the Territory.”
HOUSE PASSES HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT WITH OVER $5 MILLION FOR AMERICAN SAMOA
June 21, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the House passed by a vote of 400 to 5 H.R. 4567, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act. Included in this bill is about $5,025,000 for American Samoa.
HOUSE PASSES INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS BILL WITH OVER $33 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR AMERICAN SAMOA
June 17, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the House passed by a vote of H.R. 4568, the Interior Appropriations bill for FY 2005. Included is $23.1 million for American Samoa’s government operations and $10 million for capital improvement projects.
FALEOMAVAEGA ISSUES STATEMENT TO HONOR FORMER PRESIDENT RONALD WILSON REAGAN
June 8, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he included in the Congressional Record a statement to honor Ronald Wilson Reagan, 40th President of the United States of America.
VICE PRESIDENT INVITES FALEOMAVAEGA TO WHITE HOUSE SIGNING TO HONOR ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH AND TO ANNOUNCE PRESIDENT’S NEW ADVISORY COMMISSION
May 26, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Vice President has invited him to the White House signing ceremony to recognize Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and to announce the President’s new Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
FALEOMAVAEGA TO ATTEND MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES IN AMERICAN SAMOA TO HONOR WWII VETERANS
May 26, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he will attend Memorial Day services in American Samoa to honor the Territory’s WWII veterans.
TWO U.S. SENATORS AND HOUSE MEMBER SUPPORT FALEOMAVAEGA ON COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING (COOL) REQUIREMENTS FOR CANNED AND POUCHED TUNA
May 26, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that on May 14, 2004 Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) joined with him in signing a letter to the Honorable Bill T. Hawks, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements for canned and pouched tuna. Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-CA) also lent his support.
FALEOMAVAEGA PAYS SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN SAMOA’S FALLEN HEROES, VETERANS AND CURRENT SERVICE MEMBERS
May 20, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he joined with members of the U.S. House of Representatives and included his remarks in a special section of the Congressional Record to honor our fallen heroes and to pay tribute to our current military men and women who are serving our nation in a time of war.
AMERICAN SAMOA GETS OVER $427,000 GRANT TO HELP STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
May 20, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice has informed him that the American Samoa Government (ASG) has been awarded $427,460.00 under the STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program.
FALEOMAVAEGA SUPPORTS OVERDUE BENEFITS FOR MILITARY SPOUSES; DEMOCRATIC PRESSURES FORCES REPUBLICAN ACTION
May 20, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the House passed by a vote of 391-34 the Department of Defense Authorization (DOD) bill which provides overdue retirement benefits to military spouses, and nearly $450 billion to support our troops, including those serving from American Samoa.
FALEOMAVAEGA SPEAKS AT THE NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY IN CELEBRATION OF ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
May 17, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that on Friday May 14, 2004 he spoke at the National Defense University in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. More than 200 people were in attendance and Congressman Faleomavaega received a standing ovation.
LDS CHURCH INVITES FALEOMAVAEGA TO VIP TOUR OF LDS MANHATTAN, NEW YORK TEMPLE
May 13, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) or Mormon Church invited him to attend the VIP open house of the LDS Manhattan Temple on Friday May 7, 2004. The special open house was for dignitaries and was by invitation only.
FALEOMAVAEGA SALUTES ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER VETERANS & JOINS WITH APAICS TO ANNOUNCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS
May 12, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that on May 5, 2004 as Vice-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) he joined with Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Chairman Mike Honda in sponsoring a salute to Asian and Pacific Islander Veterans and current service members.
FALEOMAVAEGA SPEAKS AT NATIONAL NEWS CONFERENCE AND URGES ASIAN & PACIFIC ISLANDERS TO VOTE
May 5, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he spoke at a National News Conference and urged Asian and Pacific Islanders to participate in the electoral process by voting in federal and local elections. The event was hosted by Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) and APIAVote said Faleomavaega was invited to speak “in light of his sustained service to the nation and to the Asian and Pacific Islander American community.”
HOUSE RESOURCES COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY PASSES FALEOMAVAEGA’S FEDERAL ELECTION BILL
May 5, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the House Resources Committee unanimously passed his federal election bill to protect the voting rights of active duty service members and overseas voters whose home of residence is American Samoa.
FALEOMAVAEGA AND STARKIST OPPOSE DUTY-FREE PREFERENCE FOR CANNED TUNA FROM THAILAND AND WORK TOGETHER TO SAVE THE JOBS OF MORE THAN 5,100 WORKERS IN AMERICAN SAMOA
May 4, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has submitted testimony to the International Trade Commission (ITC) opposing duty-free treatment for canned tuna products from Thailand. StarKist and Faleomavaega are united in their position and are working together to save the jobs of more than 5,100 cannery workers in American Samoa.
FALEOMAVAEGA CONGRATULATES GEORGINA, NINA, VICTOR, AND VAILALA - CHILDREN OF EDWARD AND IVA SALAZAR
April 23, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega today offered congratulations to Georgina To’asavili Salazar, Nina Guadalupe Salazar, Victor Salazar, and Vailala Salazar for their major accomplishments. Georgina is currently enrolled in the Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. program at the University of California at Irvine. Nina graduated today as a certified Navigator on a B-52 bomber. Victor is scheduled to graduate in June from the University of California at Los Angeles, and Vailala is a freshman, also at UCLA. The three sisters and one brother are the children of Mrs. Iva Pisia Tuatagaloa-Salazar of American Samoa and Mr. Edward Salazar of San Diego, California.
STARKIST AND FALEOMAVAEGA FIGHT TO EXCLUDE TUNA FROM THAILAND FREE TRADE AGREEMENT AND WORK TOGETHER TO PROTECT 3,000 JOBS IN AMERICAN SAMOA
April 21, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he is aggressively fighting to exclude tuna from the Thailand Free Trade Agreement and is working with StarKist to protect American Samoa’s economy and the jobs of more than 3,000 workers.
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER FIVE LIUATO TUITELE RETIRED AFTER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE U.S. ARMY
April 20, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that after 30 years of distinguished military service and many prestigious awards and commendations Chief Warrant Officer Five Liuato Tuitele has retired from the United States Army.
ASG TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $7.5 MILLION FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR IMPROVEMENTS AT PAGO PAGO, FITIUTA AND OFU AIRPORTS
April 19, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has notified him that the American Samoa Government (ASG) will receive over $7.5 million for improvements at Pago Pago, Fitiuta and Ofu Airports.
FALEOMAEGA AND AMERICAN SAMOA CLOSE UP STUDENTS AND TEACHERS CELEBRATE EASTER TOGETHER IN WASHINGTON, DC
April 13, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that he spent Easter Sunday with the Close Up students and teachers from American Samoa in Washington, DC. A total of 26 students from the high schools of Leone, Samoana, Faga’itua, Tafuna, Nu’uuli Vocational Tech, and Manu’a and four advisors are in Washington, DC for the annual civic educational program sponsored by the Close Up Foundation.
AMERICAN SAMOA GOVERNMENT RECEIVES OVER $1.4 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANTS
April 12, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Office of Congressional Relations for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has informed him that American Samoa Government has been awarded over $1.4 million in federal grants for fiscal year 2004. American Samoa Government is receiving $1,022,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), $363,000 for Home Investment Partnership, and $44,000 for Emergency Shelter Grant Program. These grants are provided to help meet the local needs for affordable housing and to expand opportunities for Americans throughout the United States and its territories.
FALEOMAVAEGA INVITED TO SPEAK AT 2004 WORLD TUNA TRADE CONFERENCE
April 8, 2004
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has been invited to speak at the 2004 World Tuna Trade Conference to be held June 3-5, 2004 in Bangkok, Thailand.
