Dear Secretary Solis:

I am writing to thank you for your Department's swift response to requests made by my office since last week on behalf of American Samoa's tuna cannery workers. Your staff is working closely with my office to provide solutions for more than 2,100 workers who will be without jobs in September of this year due to Chicken of the Sea's recent decision to close operations in the Territory, after fifty years, and relocate to Lyons, Georgia.

Given that more than 80% of American Samoa's private sector economy is dependent either directly or indirectly on StarKist and Chicken of the Sea which employ more than 5,150 people, or 74 percent, of the workforce, and also considering that "a decrease in production or departure of one or both of the two canneries in American Samoa could devastate the local economy resulting in massive layoffs and insurmountable financial difficulties," I want to personally commend your staff, including Senior Legislative Officer Mr. Adri Jayatatne, Mr. Greg Hitchcock of the Division of Worker Dislocation and Special Response, and Mr. Ralph DiBattista, Deputy Administrator of the Employment Training Administration (ETA), for meeting with me today to expedite my request for assistance.

As you know, I have also requested the support of Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, who has also assigned his staff to work closely with my office and yours so that we can put a plan in place that will assist the American Samoa Government (ASG) in moving forward. Today's meeting with your staff proved to be positive news as it is clear that discretionary national emergency funds are available from the DOL to help American Samoa's tuna cannery workers based on ASG's ability to meet specific guidelines.

Provided ASG meets the guidelines, your staff informed me that national emergency grants could be used to retrain our tuna cannery workers. In general terms, funds could be used to help our workers earn their GEDs, or to pay for their college tuition at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) should they desire to study to be nurses, teachers, or pursue any other professional or vocational training of their choice. I was also pleased to learn that national emergency grant funds may be used to provide our workers with a stipend allowance for basic necessities like food, housing, etc. While these stipends will not replace their wages, the stipends will help dislocated workers feed their families for a limited amount of time until they can find a new job as a result of being retrained.

Since 87% of our affected workers are not from American Samoa, the DOL has informed my office that ASG must prove the legal status of our workers for them to obtain these benefits. I am confident that ASG, in cooperation with Chicken of the Sea, can make this information available to the DOL.

I have also been informed by the DOL that requests for a national emergency grant must be made by ASG given that the local government is the lead entity for the local business community. In a letter of May 7, I informed Governor Togiola that the DOL is on standby to assist him with the application process, and that I would send a letter of support prior to ASG’s submission of its application. To date, I have not heard from the Governor but, by way of this letter, I am offering my support and asking that you favorably respond to any application the Governor may put forward.

Because our tuna cannery workers are my first priority, I also want to thank your staff for offering to hold a conference call with my office and the office of the Governor for purposes of expediting the application process so that come September our workers are not left without resources or job training. My office is available any time for purposes of this call.

I have also contacted the House Ways and Means Committee with the intention of bringing American Samoa under the umbrella of the unemployment insurance program (UI) since ASG failed to establish a local trust fund for our workers. As you know, the federal unemployment insurance program is not a federal tax program but a federal trust fund. Under terms of the UI program, local governments send a portion of their local taxes to the federal government to hold in trust for local workers who may lose their jobs. Regrettably, ASG never sent the federal government a portion of the local taxes it has collected from Chicken of the Sea or StarKist or other local businesses. ASG also never held any taxes in trust at the local level.

Because ASG controls what is done with our local taxes and does not provide my office with an accounting, I was never informed that it had not properly provided a UI program for our workers. In fact, in April 2008, when the Governor went on his radio program and asked why ASG did not qualify for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), I issued a press release stating that the TAA hinges on the UI program, and it was at this time that it was discovered that ASG had not been sending a share of its local taxes to the UI program. What ASG was doing with its tax revenues, I do not know, as the Governor never responded to my request for information regarding whether or not it had established a local trust fund instead.

While some have suggested that the cannery is leaving due to minimum wage increases, the company has made it clear that minimum wage is only one of many reasons that influenced its decision and, frankly speaking, I believe minimum wage was the least of its reasons, especially considering that the company is relocating to Lyons, Georgia where effective July 24, 2009, minimum wage rates are $7.25 per hour, compared to American Samoa's current rate of $4.26 and American Samoa’s projected rate of $4.76 per hour effective July 2009.

Put another way, upon leaving American Samoa, Chicken of the Sea will immediately pay tuna cannery workers in Georgia almost twice as much as it paid Samoan workers, and this is disappointing given that Samoan workers spent the last 50-years making Chicken of the Sea one of the most profitable brands of canned tuna in America.

Yet, given our history with the tuna industry, I am not surprised. More than 50-years ago in 1956, Chicken of the Sea's once parent company, Van Camp Seafoods, actively lobbied the U.S. Congress to suppress wage rates in American Samoa. Commenting on the company's desire to pay Samoan workers 27-cents per hour as opposed to the then prevailing minimum wage rate of $1 per hour, Van Camp stated, "The company has found that it takes from 3 to 5 Samoan workers to perform what 1 continental worker in the United States will do. It is therefore felt that this justifies a lower rate for Samoans."

Over 50-years later, Chicken of the Sea leaves American Samoa with the same attitude, justifying lower rates for Samoans while soon to be paying workers in Georgia almost double the money. Therefore, I am not one to believe the hype that minimum wage increases drove Chicken of the Sea to do business in another location. Truth is, Samoans have not received a significant wage increase for more than a decade, until the recent enactment of P.L. 110-28.

With the enactment of P.L. 110-28, I fully supported a one-time increase of 50-cents per hour for our Samoan workers. From the outset, I also opposed escalator clauses, or automatic increases, as mandated by P.L. 110-28, given the uncertainty of the economic status of the Territory. As you are aware, per the mandate of P.L. 110-28, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) conducted an 8-month study of the Territory’s economy and concluded that automatic increases would be harmful, but the report was harshly criticized by Chairman Miller and Senator Kennedy for not addressing the issues raised in the law.

In response to the DOL's findings, Governor Togiola and, I with the support of the Fono, sought your assistance in 2008 and 2009 to include, in the omnibus or supplemental appropriations bills, language to eliminate escalator clauses. Regrettably, neither Senator Kennedy nor Chairman Miller would support your efforts or ours. This is why last year I also requested your support of a one-time set aside of emergency funds for American Samoa and CNMI to offset the automatic minimum wage increases. Unfortunately, it was not possible for this request to be supported by the House or Senate.

Now, with the announcement of Chicken of the Sea/Samoa Packing's closing, I am once more seeking your assistance in setting aside emergency funds for American Samoa. The reason for this request is because other factors including rising energy and fuel costs and the crash of the global economy are severely impacting any company's ability to do business in the Territory. Corporate greed and mismanagement are also factors that have affected both tuna canning operations in the Territory.

For years, StarKist and Chicken of the Sea have paid their executives top-notch salaries with benefits, but not once in our 50-year history has StarKist or Chicken of the Sea ever offered profit-sharing incentives or stock options to our workers. Instead, our cannery workers were given a case of wahoo at Christmas and a turkey at Thanksgiving and told that their wages must remain below the federal minimum wage rate.

While suppressing Samoan wages, both tuna canneries employed poor marketing strategies, in part, enabling Bumble Bee to become the number one selling brand of tuna in the country. In a December 9, 2008 meeting with Mr. Kim Jae-Chul, Chairman and CEO of Dongwon, who recently purchased StarKist for some $363 million, he informed Governor Togiola and I and other local leaders that figures showed a 20% decrease in production due to a 20% drop in sales after Dongwon took over from Del Monte, a drop that Del Monte officials who are managing StarKist through an agreement with Dongwon attribute to marketing reasons.

On Sunday, May 3, 2009, Chicken of the Sea executives went on Donald Trump’s reality game show and asked a playboy model, a poker player, a country singer, and a comedian to come up with a new marketing jingle to promote the company's products. When a company has to turn to celebrity apprentices, not to endorse its products, but to re-write its marketing campaign, something has gone terribly wrong in the marketing department.

Since Samoan workers are not responsible for marketing or sales, my suggestion to both companies was to cut the jobs and benefits of those at corporate headquarters who are responsible for bottom line losses rather than the jobs and benefits of Samoan workers who are the backbone of the industry. Also, I suggest that both companies be honest with ASG regarding their reasons for job cuts and/or relocation. Both companies recently reported to the U.S. Department of Labor that the tuna market is presently focused on sealed foil packages rather than traditional canned tuna. However, to my knowledge, neither cannery has shifted production in American Samoa from cans to pouches so that we could grow with the industry, and it is clear that the tuna industry as we once knew it in American Samoa is coming to an end.

So that American Samoa would be prepared for this day that years ago I warned would come, I encouraged our local leaders to put a plan in place to diversify American Samoa's economy, in accordance with the recommendations of the American Samoa Economic Advisory Commission which issued its historic report in 2002. In 1999, at my request, and at a cost of $600,000 from Congress, a U.S. Department of the Interior Secretarial Commission was established to examine American Samoa’s economic condition and make recommendations to ASG and the Department of the Interior on how to diversify and expand American Samoa's economy. This was the first time in American Samoa’s 100-year relationship with the United States that a Secretarial Commission was established.

This Secretarial Commission was supported by Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, chaired by the former Governor of Hawaii John Waihee, and administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Governor Togiola served as a commission member. I served as an ex officio member.

In conjunction with the people of American Samoa, the Commission, over about a two -year time period, developed an economic plan which offered specific recommendations on how to diversify the Territory's local economy based on the will of the people. In fact, over 8,000 people were surveyed at the request of the Commission by the American Samoa Community College. In April 2002, the Secretarial Commission issued its final report. To date, the U.S. Department of the Interior has failed to move forward on this plan and I must say our local government officials have also not acted.

This aside, at a minimum, I was hopeful that ASG would have required more of both tuna canneries as lease agreements were negotiated during the course of the past 20 years. I had especially hoped that ASG would have included at the heart of its lease agreements unemployment packages for our workers in the case of layoffs or closures.

After all these years, ASG has chosen not to participate in the federal Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. Under terms of the UI program, when eligible workers lose their jobs, the UI program may provide them with income support for 6 months based on certain calculations. These unemployment benefits are paid out of a federal trust fund. However, the money for the trust fund comes from taxes States impose on employers.

The State of Hawaii, for example, has protected its workers by taxing employers like Hawaiian Air. The State of Hawaii then sends a portion of those taxes to the federal government to hold in trust for workers who may become unemployed should Hawaiian Air lay off some of its workers. Once a worker is laid off, that worker can apply for unemployment benefits and the federal government will send that worker a check from the trust fund.

When workers in American Samoa get laid off, they are not eligible for UI benefits because ASG has not sent any money to the federal government to hold in trust for our local workers. Since ASG chose not to have the federal government hold money in trust for our workers, I am hopeful that ASG has held those funds in trust at the local level from the taxes it has collected from StarKist and Chicken of the Sea so that our workers can seek immediate relief and unemployment checks come September.

To supplement whatever local trust fund ASG may have in place, I am working with the federal government to see what additional benefits we can provide for our workers, including those who have legal status in American Samoa. But given that the federal government has spent the past 50-years subsidizing both tuna canneries, I am not sure how successful federal efforts might be. For the past two years, my office worked to obtain a $33 million federal income tax break for both canneries at a time when the United States is faced with an unprecedented financial crisis. Prior to this extension, each cannery received over $5 million per year in federal tax breaks for almost 20 years, which equates to well over $200 million, not to mention the tax breaks they got for the 20 or so years preceding this.

It is also my understanding that ASG offers both canneries local tax breaks, the terms of which I believe should be made public and to which I have not been made privy. If, on the other hand, our local tuna canneries paid taxes to ASG, I am hopeful that these records will be made public so that our workers will know whether or not ASG set aside some of these funds in trust for our workers in case of unemployment. With the tuna canneries present in American Samoa for more than 50-years and extracting billions from our Territory, I am very hopeful that ASG established a local trust fund for our workers, and that our canneries paid taxes.

I have always believed our canneries should have been required to pay local taxes to help build our schools and medical facilities. I also do not believe our canneries should have ever been permitted to deny our workers' health care benefits. But every Special Industry Committee appointed by the U.S. Department of Labor to determine wage rates in American Samoa voted against our workers and in favor of the tuna canneries.

Despite the federal and local favoritism shown our canneries, Chicken of the Sea has now announced that it will leave American Samoa and make a $20 million investment to revamp an existing factory in Georgia. And despite having been provided every incentive to stay in American Samoa, Chicken of the Sea will now pay tuna cleaners in Georgia twice as much as the company ever paid our Samoan workers. As for the minimum wage increase our workers recently received, the increase equates to a raise of only ten-cents per hour every year for the past ten years. On this point, our people deserved better. At a minimum, our workers deserved equal pay to that of their Georgia counterparts.

Nonetheless, I deeply regret that I have to inform you of Chicken of the Sea's closure in American Samoa. In response to this bad news, I am hopeful that you will be able to set aside $20 million in the FY2010 appropriations bill to be used to provide emergency financial relief to affected workers and to offset higher energy, food, and fuel costs that will be associated with the plant closure. Given that more than 80% of American Samoa's private sector economy is dependent either directly or indirectly on StarKist and Chicken of the Sea which employ more than 5,150 people, or 74 percent, of the workforce, and also considering that "a decrease in production or departure of one or both of the two canneries in American Samoa could devastate the local economy resulting in massive layoffs and insurmountable financial difficulties," I am certain that this request will be supported by our local leaders who I have copied on this letter.

I have also contacted the House Ways and Means Committee to request how we can bring ASG under the umbrella of the unemployment insurance program. If ASG has failed to establish a trust fund for our unemployed workers, then I am hopeful that Congress will step in and mandate that ASG establish such a trust fund for Samoan workers who deserve protection.

I am also contacting the U.S. Department of Labor to request national emergency grants. What the outcome of these requests will be, I do not know at this time because Samoa Packing’s current workforce consists of 2,172 active employees of which 274, or 13%, are American Samoans, 87%, or 1,821 workers are Western Samoans, and 3.5%, or 77 employees, are other foreign nationals. The total payroll for all workers for the cannery including benefits annually is approximately $22-$23 million.

Before any action can be taken, I have been informed that ASG will have to certify the legal status of our workers at Chicken of the Sea/Samoa Packing. Even though most of our tuna cannery workers are from Western Samoa, many of them are married to U.S. nationals and U.S. citizens and, for purposes of helping these families, I will ask Governor Togiola and the Fono to send me the necessary immigration documentation showing that these workers do have legal status so that we may move forward with a request for federal assistance.

I will also ask Governor Togiola what local measures ASG has in place to provide assistance for our workers since ASG opted out of the federal UI program. Whatever challenges we may face, I am certain that our people will pull together in this time of crisis. Even so, we would deeply appreciate your support as we work to build a bridge to a new future.

Dear Governor Togiola:

I am writing in response to the recent announcement by Chicken of the Sea/Samoa Packing that it will close operations in American Samoa effective September of this year. I am also writing in response to your letter of May 1, 2009. Enclosed for your information is a copy of my letter of May 7 to Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which explains my position regarding the plant's closure, and my request for his assistance.

While you have suggested that the cannery is leaving due to minimum wage increases, the company has made it clear that minimum wage is only one of many reasons that influenced its decision and, frankly speaking, I believe minimum wage was the least of its reasons, especially considering that the company is relocating to Lyons, Georgia where effective July 24, 2009, minimum wage rates are $7.25 per hour, compared to American Samoa's current rate of $4.26 and American Samoa's projected rate of $4.76 per hour effective July 2009.

That Chicken of the Sea would relocate and immediately pay workers in Georgia double the moneys is not fair to our Samoan workers who spent the last 50-years making Chicken of the Sea one of the most profitable brands of canned tuna in America. It is also not fair that our cannery workers have been paid way below the national average when the vast majority of ASG workers have salaries comparable to national minimum wage standards.

If it is possible to increase salaries of departments by as much as $10,000, why would ASG leaders not support an increase of 50-cents per hour for private sector tuna cannery workers? Regardless of what your position is about the poorest among us, now is not the time to be pointing fingers. We need to work together to find a solution, and my office has already had discussions with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

Enclosed for your information is a point of contact to assist you with ASG's application for national emergency funds to provide job training for our workers. According to the DOL, the request for this assistance must be made by you, and must originate from the Governor’s office. Your staff may contact Adri Jayaratne at jayaratne.adri@dol.gov for further information on how to apply for a national emergency grant. This information may also be accessed at http://www.doleta.gov/neg/eligibility.cfm. I will send a letter of support to the U.S. Secretary of Labor prior to the submission of ASG's application.

However, before any action can be taken by Congress or the DOL, I have been informed that ASG will need to provide the DOL and Congress with documentation showing the legal status of our cannery workers. Samoa Packing’s current workforce consists of 2,172 active employees of which 274, or 13%, are American Samoans, 87%, or 1,821 workers are Western Samoans, and 3.5%, or 77 employees, are other foreign nationals. The total payroll for all workers for the cannery including benefits annually is approximately $22-$23 million.

I have been informed that ASG will have to certify the legal status of our workers at Chicken of the Sea/Samoa Packing before we can expect federal assistance. Even though most of our tuna cannery workers are from Western Samoa, many of them are married to U.S. nationals and U.S. citizens and, for purposes of helping these families, I am hopeful that you will send me the necessary immigration documentation showing that these workers do have legal status so that we may move forward with assisting them.

I am also hopeful that ASG will inform my office of what kind of trust fund is in place for our local workers in the case of unemployment. As you know, after all these years, ASG has chosen not to participate in the federal Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. Under terms of the UI program, when eligible workers lose their jobs, the UI program may provide them with income support for 6 months based on certain calculations. These unemployment benefits are paid out of a federal trust fund. However, the money for the trust fund comes from taxes States impose on employers.

The State of Hawaii, for example, has protected its workers by taxing employers like Hawaiian Air. The State of Hawaii then sends a portion of those taxes to the federal government to hold in trust for workers who may become unemployed should Hawaiian Air lay off some of its workers. Once a worker is laid off, that worker can apply for unemployment benefits and the federal government will send that worker a check from the trust fund.

When workers in American Samoa get laid off, they are not eligible for UI benefits because ASG has not sent any money to the federal government to hold in trust for our local workers. Since ASG chose not to have the federal government hold money in trust, I am hopeful that ASG has held those funds in trust at the local level from the taxes it has collected from StarKist and Chicken of the Sea so that our workers can seek immediate relief and unemployment checks come September. In the case of layoffs or closures, unemployment compensation should have been at the heart of ASG’s lease agreements with the canneries.

If ASG has no local trust fund in place, I would hope that ASG would support my efforts to bring ASG under the federal umbrella. My office has contacted the House Ways and Means Committee and I have every intention of working closely with Chairman Charles Rangel to devise a program that will require ASG to set aside a portion of the taxes it collects either in a local or federal trust fund so that future workers will be protected in the case of layoffs or plant closures. Like every American, our workers deserve protection, and they are entitled to peace of mind in knowing that their local government reserved a portion of taxes for them, in case of their unemployment. Every State plus Puerto Rico, D.C., and the Virgin Islands provide their workers with this kind of safety net, and Guam established a modified program. It is time for ASG to follow suit, if it has not done so already.

While I am seeking a $20 million emergency set aside in the supplemental appropriations bill, and while I will also ask to increase operations and CIP funding for ASG, I am not sure how successful federal efforts might be, especially given our tuna canneries were recently provided with a $33 million federal income tax break at a time when the United States is faced with an unprecedented financial crisis. Prior to this extension, each cannery received over $5 million per year in federal tax breaks for almost 20 years, which equates to well over $200 million, not to mention the tax breaks they got for the 20 or so years preceding this.

Also, in 1999, at cost of $600,000 from the U.S. Congress, a U.S. Department of the Interior Secretarial Commission was established to examine American Samoa’s economic condition and make recommendations to ASG and the Department of the Interior on how to diversify and expand American Samoa’s economy. This was the first time in American Samoa’s 100-year relationship with the United States that a Secretarial Commission was established.

This Secretarial Commission was supported by Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, chaired by the former Governor of Hawaii John Waihee, and administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior. You served as a commission member. I served as an ex officio member.

In conjunction with the people of American Samoa, the Commission, over about a two -year time period, developed an economic plan which offered specific recommendations on how to diversify the Territory's local economy based on the will of the people. In fact, over 8,000 people were surveyed at the request of the Commission by the American Samoa Community College. In April 2002, the Secretarial Commission issued its final report. To date, the U.S. Department of the Interior has failed to move forward on this plan and I must say our local government officials also have not acted.

I will continue to update you regarding my efforts at the federal level, and I look forward to working with you and the Fono to discuss possible options and new steps forward.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 27, 2009

Washington , D.C. -- Social Security and VA benefit recipients in American Samoa to receive one-time payment of $250 as part of American recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that, as a result of the Congressional Delegates' work on the stimulus bill which was recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama, individuals living in the Territories who received Social Security or Veterans benefits at any time during the months of November and December 2008, or January 2009, will also receive a one-time economic recovery payment of $250.

Commissioner Michael Astrue of the Social Security Administration informed Faleomavaega in a letter that the one-time economic recovery payment of $250.00 will be mailed out from the U.S. Department of Treasury to recipients of Social Security and/or Veterans Benefits in American Samoa during the month of May 2009.

According to Commissioner Astrue, a beneficiary's address of record must be in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa , or the Northern Marianas Islands to qualify to receive the recovery payment. This one-time payment will be separate from the recipient's regular benefits and it will be sent in a method one is currently using to receive these benefits, as in direct deposit, by check in the mail or direct express debit account.

"I am pleased that American Samoa is included in this important one-time economic payment program in which recipients of Social Security and Veterans benefits in our territory will automatically receive additional funds to help offset the high cost of living expenses and to take care of their families during these difficult economic times," Faleomavaega said.

"This one-time recovery payment will not count as income for Social Security benefits or as a resource in the month of May or any of the following nine months of 2009. This means the recipient's total income for the month will not be affected. If both the husband and wife are receiving benefits from either Social Security or Veterans benefits, each will get a check of the one-time payment. Children under the age of 18, (19 if still in high school) who receive Social Security benefits are not eligible. However, adult disabled children who receive Social Security benefits on a parent’s records or a designated representative payee on record will receive the one-time payment."

The Commissioner advises beneficiaries to call the toll-free number 1-800-325-0778 or contact your local Social Security office if you do not receive your one-time economic recovery payment by June 4, 2009. Information is also available online at www.socialsecurity.gov.

"I am grateful to my colleagues in Congress for working with us to make sure the Territories were included and treated equally. I also commend President Obama for signing the Act into law which will help stimulate our local economy and provide financial assistance to families who need it most," Faleomavaega concluded.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2009

Washington , D.C. -- Faleomavaega congratulates nine Polynesians drafted in the 2009 NFL Draft

Congressman Faleomavaega today offered congratulations to the nine Polynesian players that were selected in this year's 2009 NFL Draft. The players were selected at the 47th Annual NFL Draft that was held at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City for two days on April 25 - 26, 2009. This year’s Polynesian players include:

"I want to congratulate our nine Polynesian players who were selected in this year's NFL Draft," Faleomavaega said. "This year's draft was very competitive compared to most recent years given that there were no significant prospects and that more and more players were selected from unfamiliar colleges and that five of the top ten players drafted this year were offensive and defensive linemen."

"Our Polynesian sons have represented us extremely well this year. Being selected in the NFL Draft is one of the most prestigious achievements any young man would accomplish. It recognizes their hard work and tireless commitment to playing football. The 256 players selected in these two days were from a pool of more than a thousand players who were eligible and qualified to compete for the few slots available in the seven rounds of the draft."

"These young men are ambassadors for our Polynesian heritage and they will continue to represent a unique legacy laid by the many other Polynesians who were once and still part of the National Football League. They built a foundation that portrays the strength and courage of the fearless Polynesian warrior. From pioneers such as Al Lolotai who played for the Washington Redskins in 1945 to the likes of Troy Polamalu who continues to play an important role for the Super Bowl Champions Pittsburgh Steelers, Polynesians are much an integral part of this great game."

"I once again want to congratulate the players and, importantly, want to recognize their parents and families for their strong support and prayers for their sons. Also, I want to acknowledge the many other Polynesian players who were successful in signing free agent contracts with the NFL teams. I wish them all the best as they begin the vigorous process of spring training and the preseason games to come," concluded Faleomavaega.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2009

Washington , D.C. -- Faleomavaega introduces legislation to extend supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to American Samoa

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has introduced legislation to extend the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, Title XVI of the Social Security Act, to include American Samoa. H.R. 2186 will amend Section 1101 (a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1301 (a)(1)), and if passed, allows U.S. nationals and U.S. citizens living in the U.S. Territory of American Samoa to become eligible to receive cash payments under the SSI program for the blind, aged, and disabled people.

Administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), the SSI program was first enacted in 1972 and implemented in 1974. The purpose is to assure a minimum cash income to all aged, blind, or disabled persons or couples who have limited income and resources. Currently, SSI is afforded only to individuals living in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Another legislation currently pending in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 93) will also extend the SSI program to include Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"Extending the SSI program to the territory will provide tremendous help to families that are caring for a blind, aged, and disabled family member, and are struggling to make ends meet, especially under the current economic downturn. Coupled with an already high cost of living in the territory, providing for the basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter becomes an even greater challenge for those living in American Samoa," Faleomavaega said.

"Under the SSI program, the federal government will provide supplemental cash assistance to individuals that are blind, disabled, 65 years and older, and with limited resources and limited income, to provide for their basic needs. Eligibility is restricted to U.S. nationals and U.S. citizens that reside in American Samoa. SSI payments are adjusted annually every January using national Consumer Price Index to reflect cost of living increase. The American Samoa Government may also choose to contribute to SSI payments but is not mandated," Faleomavaega explained.

"Because of our remote and isolated geographic location, our local government lacks the resources to provide assistance to needy individuals, especially in light of today's economic hardship. The SSI federal assistance program already exists in the 50 states and CNMI. I believe the SSI program should also be made available for the people of our territory."

"Now that H.R. 2186 has been introduced, this is only the beginning of the legislative process in Congress. While congressional hearings on the bill have not been determined yet, I am also reaching out to the leaders of our local government, the Governor and the Fono, for their input on how to improve this bill and make the SSI program work for American Samoa. It is a long and cumbersome process but I look forward to working together with our local leaders to provide the much needed assistance to the people of our territory," Faleomavaega concluded.

April 27, 2009

Washington, D.C. -- Social Security and VA benefit recipients in American Samoa to receive one-time payment of $250 as part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that, as a result of the Congressional Delegates' work on the stimulus bill which was recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama, individuals living in the Territories who received Social Security or Veterans benefits at any time during the months of November and December 2008, or January 2009, will also receive a one-time economic recovery payment of $250.

Commissioner Michael Astrue of the Social Security Administration informed Faleomavaega in a letter that the one-time economic recovery payment of $250.00 will be mailed out from the U.S. Department of Treasury to recipients of Social Security and/or Veterans Benefits in American Samoa during the month of May 2009.

According to Commissioner Astrue, a beneficiary's address of record must be in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Northern Marianas Islands to qualify to receive the recovery payment. This one-time payment will be separate from the recipient's regular benefits and it will be sent in a method one is currently using to receive these benefits, as in direct deposit, by check in the mail or direct express debit account.

"I am pleased that American Samoa is included in this important one-time economic payment program in which recipients of Social Security and Veterans benefits in our territory will automatically receive additional funds to help offset the high cost of living expenses and to take care of their families during these difficult economic times," Faleomavaega said.

"This one-time recovery payment will not count as income for Social Security benefits or as a resource in the month of May or any of the following nine months of 2009. This means the recipient's total income for the month will not be affected. If both the husband and wife are receiving benefits from either Social Security or Veterans benefits, each will get a check of the one-time payment. Children under the age of 18, (19 if still in high school) who receive Social Security benefits are not eligible. However, adult disabled children who receive Social Security benefits on a parent's records or a designated representative payee on record will receive the one-time payment."

The Commissioner advises beneficiaries to call the toll-free number 1-800-325-0778 or contact your local Social Security office if you do not receive your one-time economic recovery payment by June 4, 2009. Information is also available online at www.socialsecurity.gov.

"I am grateful to my colleagues in Congress for working with us to make sure the Territories were included and treated equally. I also commend President Obama for signing the Act into law which will help stimulate our local economy and provide financial assistance to families who need it most," Faleomavaega concluded.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 27, 2009

Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega nominates Vaimalu Rosita Vaiau to the Congressional Summer Page program

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has nominated Ms. Vaimalu Rosita Vaiau to be a Page in the Congressional Summer Page program this year from June 7 - 27, 2009. Ms. Vaimalu Vaiau is currently a junior at Faga'itua High School. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kitara and Etevise Vaiau of Alofau and Aunu'u.

The Congressional Page Program provides opportunities to junior year high school students to study in the Page School while serving as support staff for the U.S. House of Representatives. The Page School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Pages are paid a salary that averages about $420 per week before deductions for federal and state taxes, social security and Residential Hall fee are taken out. Students are required to live in the supervised House Page Residence Hall.

"I want to congratulate Vaimalu Vaiau on her nomination to participate in the Congressional Page Program," Faleomavaega said. "If accepted, she will only be the second student from American Samoa to have studied and work as a Congressional Page in the U.S. Congress."

"Vaimalu made a very compelling case with her application and the convincing recommendations of her advisor and teachers at Faga’itua High School. She is a well rounded student with very strong academic background and participates in a lot of community and extracurricular activities. She has a very bright future ahead of her and I am very pleased to nominate her to the Congressional Page School."

"I also want to congratulate Vaimalu's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kitara and Etevise Vaiau, and her teachers and counselors at Faga'itua High School for their part in advising and encouraging this young lady."

"Finally, I want to especially acknowledge the other five students who submitted applications for consideration in the Congressional Page Program. They were all highly qualified students with very competitive backgrounds. Unfortunately, there was only one vacancy and I could only provide one nomination - to which I nominated Vaimalu," concluded Faleomavaega.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 22, 2009

Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega meets Secretary of State Clinton and raises issues of Fiji, West Papua and Pacific region

Congressman Faleomavaega today met Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who testified for the first time before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. In response to comments from the Congressman, Secretary Clinton requested his direct advice and support in dealing with the crisis in Fiji and developing a more comprehensive U.S. policy toward the Pacific region; she also signaled her support for greater autonomy for West Papua, a position long advocated by the Congressman.

In his opening statement, Faleomavaega congratulated Secretary Clinton for her admirable work on behalf of the United States and in confronting many of the world's most daunting challenges.

Faleomavaega went on to state that "having just returned from Fiji for discussions with the interim prime minister and many other key leaders… I submit that the situation in Fiji is more complex than it appears… [and the United States ] has had no coherent policy toward some sixteen pacific island nations; very indicative of the fact is that we have not had USAID presence in the Pacific region for many years now."

"And for too often and for too long Madam Secretary, in my view, we've permitted Australia and New Zealand to take the lead even when Canberra and Auckland operate with such a heavy hand that they are counterproductive to our shared goals," Faleomavaega added.

"It makes no sense, Madam Secretary, for the leaders of New Zealand and Australia to demand early elections just for the sake of having elections in Fiji while there are fundamental deficiencies in Fiji's electoral process, which gave rise to three military takeovers and even a civilian-related takeover within the past twenty years - along with three separate constitutions to govern these islands. I totally disagree with the nasty accusations that the leaders of New Zealand and Australia have made against Fiji given the fact that it's more complicated than it appears."

In response to Faleomavaega's statement, Secretary Clinton said that the United States needs "to have a more comprehensive approach, an American approach to these islands. And I would welcome your advice about that... With respect to Fiji, I would welcome your advice about Fiji … And I will invite you, we'll have the State Department follow up and we'll bring you in and we'll talk more broadly about the Pacific Island region."

Faleomavaega requested that "the Administration review the political status of West Papua, and the extent to which the government of Indonesia has implemented and included the leadership and the people of West Papua in the development and administration of the special autonomy law… [and that] the Administration also hold Indonesia accountable for continued human rights abuses in West Papua."

In response to Faleomavaega's concerns over West Papua, Secretary Clinton said West Papua, "does need to be supported in its efforts to have a degree of autonomy within Indonesia. We support some of the steps that have been taken, and to realize that, we will include our concerns in our dialogue with Indonesia because we understand the delicate nature of what is at stake there, that it is part of sovereign Indonesia, but it deserves more support, respect, and certainly protection from any human rights abuses."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 22, 2009

Washington, D.C. -- American Samoa to receive $322,125 grant award under elementary and secondary school counseling demonstration program

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that American Samoa Department of Education will receive $322,125 grant award under the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Demonstration Program (ESSCD). Funding will be available for the period 04/01/2009 through 03/31/2010 and for the duration of no more than 3 years.

"I want to thank the Honorable Arne Duncan, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, for recognizing the need to strengthen and improve elementary and secondary schools in American Samoa," Faleomavaega said. "Because of our remote location, there is a greater need for more resources in American Samoa to develop and sustain programs that are critical to the development of its elementary and secondary schools."

The Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program is codified under Title 20 Section 7245 of the US Code. Under the U.S. Code, the Secretary of Department of Education is authorized to award grants to local educational agencies to enable such agencies to establish or expand elementary school and secondary school counseling programs. When selecting grant awardees, the Secretary of Education gives special consideration to applications that:

• A) demonstrate the greatest need for new or additional counseling services among children in the schools served by the local educational agency, in part by providing information on current ratios of students to school counselors, students to school social workers, and students to school psychologists;
• B) propose the most promising and innovative approaches for initiating or expanding school counseling; and
• C) show the greatest potential for replication and dissemination.

Moreover, grants are awarded on the basis to ensure an equitable geographic distribution among the regions of the United States and among local educational agencies located in urban, rural, and suburban areas.

In winning this grant award, the American Samoa Department of Education will be able to expand the range, availability, quantity and quality of counseling services available in the territory. Improved counseling services will also utilize developmental, prevention approach, designed and implemented with greater parent participation. Funding will also help facilitate collaboration between schools and community-based organizations that provide mental health and other services to students.

"I am very pleased that American Samoa will receive this grant award. Especially in light of our current economic crisis, sustaining these development programs in the territory is critical. But more significantly, the intangible benefits to the territory are immeasurable as these programs help our young people develop good social skills, positive behavior and improved academic performance."

"At this time, I want to congratulate Dr. Claire Poumele and the American Samoa Department of Education for having awarded this grant. It serves as testament to the quality of the work she and her department is performing in the educational development of our young people," Faleomavaega concluded.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 21, 2009

Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega writes Secretary Clinton requesting observer status for American Samoa in Pacific Islands Forum

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has written U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressing his strong support to grant American Samoa an opportunity to apply for observer status with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, formerly known as the South Pacific Forum. In 2006, at its 38th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji, American Samoa applied for observer status but their application was not considered by the Forum based on the advisement of the U.S. Department of State. The Department of State had done so without any consultation with either the American Samoa Government or Congressman Faleomavaega who was the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific at the time.

"I am hopeful that the State Department will give American Samoa and the other U.S. territories in the Pacific the opportunity to apply for observer status with the Pacific Islands Forum," said Faleomavaega. "It is critical that they are able to participate and dialogue with the member nations of this important organization in the Pacific region. From fishing treaties and management to the rising cost of fuel prices, it is necessary that such input and technical assistance from the U.S. territories will provide significant contribution to the decision-making process of the Pacific Islands Forum."

"The U.S. territories share the same ocean as the Pacific Islands Forum and with that the same issues that affect the region. It is unfortunate that the U.S. territories are not able to voice their concerns or raise any issues of interest with the Pacific Islands Forum in which they would be able to address with a common front. Given that U.S. presence in the Pacific region has slowly diminished in the last 20 years, the U.S. territories' participation will provide another tool of U.S. diplomacy that is needed in this vital region. Importantly, it will empower the leaders of the U.S. territories in facilitating other avenues for economic trade and addressing critical issues such as growing populations and the impacts of climate change."

"In my capacity as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, I am confident that with the support of President Obama's Administration and Secretary Clinton, American Samoa and the other territories will be able to submit applications for observer status at the next Pacific Islands Forum Annual Meeting scheduled for August 2009 in Cairns, Australia," concluded Faleomavaega.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 13, 2009

Washington, D.C. -- Applications for Longline limited entry permits in American Samoa available

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is soliciting applications for the American Samoa pelagic or deep sea longline limited entry permit program. At least 22 permits of various class sizes could be available for 2009.

The American Samoa longline limited entry permit program is governed by federal regulations (50 CFR 665.36), which established entry permits for four vessels size classes, based on length:

• a.Class A - less than or equal to 40 ft (12.2 m);
• b.Class B (and B-1) - over 40 ft (12.2 m) to 50 ft (15.2 m) inclusive;
• c.Class C (and C-1) - over 50 ft (15.2 m) to 70 ft (21.3 m) inclusive; and
• d.Class D (and D-1) - over 70 ft (21.3 m).

When the American Samoa deep sea longline limited entry permit program was first initiated on May 25, 2005, a total of 60 permits were issued. Twenty-two permits were issued in Class A, five in Class B, twelve in Class C, and twenty-one in Class D. Under the limited entry program, new permits are only made available once the number of permits in each size class falls below the minimum. As of January 2009, not all 60 permit holders have renewed their permits, thus making 22 permits available for new entries. However, this number could change depending on whether existing permit holders renew their permits.

When reviewing permit applications, NMFS considers persons with earliest participation in the program. The highest priority for obtaining permits in any size class is given to persons with the earliest documented participation in the fishery on a Class A sized vessel, followed by persons with the earliest documented participation in Classes B, C, and D. All submissions must include a completed and signed application form, legible copies of documents supporting historical participation in the American Samoa pelagic longline fishery, and payment for the nonrefundable permit application processing fee.

Applications can be requested from: NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814–4733, or downloaded from the PIR website at www.fpir.noaa.gov. Completed applications and payments must be mailed to: NMFS PIR, ATTN: ASLE Permits, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814–4733. To be considered, applications must be received no later than May 28, 2009. For further information, applicants may contact: Walter Ikehara, Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS PIR, Tel 808–944–2275, Fax 808–973–2940, E-mail IROpermits@noaa.gov.

"Fishing is the lifeblood of our economy and this is a great opportunity for our local fishermen to become involved in the fishing industry in American Samoa," concluded Faleomavaega.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 6, 2009

Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega requests $1 million for surgical supplies and equipment at LBJ

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that as part of the FY 2010 appropriations process for Labor, Health, and Education, he is requesting $1 million for the purchase of critically needed surgical supplies and medical laboratory and blood bank equipment at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center .

"In 2008, I requested $1 million for the purchase of dialysis and diagnostic medical equipment, and Congress supported my request by setting aside $624,000 for these purposes," Faleomavaega said. "“It is my understanding that the hospital has purchased about ten new dialysis machines as a result of this funding and, in my most recent communication with Ms. Pat Tindall, CEO of LBJ, she has suggested what LBJ now needs most is surgical supplies and medical laboratory and blood bank equipment."

"I am pleased to support this request as I firmly believe health care and education should be our number one priorities in American Samoa . This is why I have worked to do what can be done at the federal level to bring down LBJ health care costs by increasing Medicaid caps to free up money for the hospital. This is why I also worked with our supporters to establish a new VA clinic to provide basic services for our veterans, who are still flown to Hawaii as necessary, and my office continues to be in discussions about how we can best resolve outstanding issues between LBJ and our VA."

"Generally, during the appropriations process, we are also able to get about $1 million per year from the LHHS appropriations, which I alternate between LBJ and our schools. Last year, for example, I was able to set aside $618,000 for our Samoan Language program for K-12."

"At the local level, I am also hopeful that with the $10 million ASG receives every year in CIP funds, and the $23 million for the operations of the government, that more money will be set aside by our local government for healthcare. While we are not certain that Congress will be able to honor the most recent request I have made for LBJ due to the uncertainty of our nation's economy, I will keep our people updated as this matter progresses," Faleomavaega concluded.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 3, 2009

Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega meets with NZ Foreign Minister McCully and NZ Ambassador Ferguson in Washington, D.C.

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he recently met with New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Ambassador Roy Ferguson in Washington, D.C. The Honorable McCully is visiting the U.S. in a series of meetings concerning U.S.-New Zealand relations as well as ministerial consultative meetings of the Antarctic Treaty Summit scheduled for later this year. The Antarctic Treaty Summit will commemorate its 50th anniversary since its inception in 1959. He is also scheduled to meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton next week.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to have met with Foreign Minister McCully and my good friend Ambassador Ferguson," Faleomavaega said. "New Zealand plays a vital role in the Asia Pacific region and I know that our U.S.-New Zealand partnership will continue to strengthen as we work together to meet the needs of the Asia Pacific region. Either through bilateral relations in addressing climate change or providing critical humanitarian aid to our Pacific nations, it is necessary that we continue to foster this important relationship."

"This was my first meeting with a cabinet member from Prime Minister John Key's administration that was recently elected in November 2008. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Key and the New Zealand government in improving this partnership, and, in doing so, highlighting the vitality to assist the struggling Pacific nations that have been impacted by global warming and the current economic crisis," Faleomavaega concluded.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 2, 2009

Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega to nominate a Congressional Page for summer session

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has been informed by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to nominate a Congressional Page for the summer session of the U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Page Program. The summer session this year starts on Sunday, June 7, 2009 and ends on Saturday, June 27, 2009.

The House of Representatives Page program provides opportunities to junior year high school students to study in the Page School, accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, while serving as support staff for the U.S. House of Representatives. The Pages are required to live in the supervised House Page Residence Hall.

To be considered in the Page program, the student must meet the requirements listed below and be nominated by a Member of Congress.

• 3.0 GPA based on core academic courses (math, English, science, social studies, and foreign language).
• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national
• Be a high school junior or just completed sophomore or junior year.
• Be 16 years old by the beginning of the Page term.
• The deadline for applying is Monday, April 20, 2009.

If selected, the student will earn a salary averaging about $420 per week before deductions for federal and state taxes, social security and Residence Hall fee, are taken out. The student will be responsible for his or her own travel expenses to and from Washington, DC, and is required to have or purchase all uniform items upon arrival. Students are encouraged to bring sufficient funds to cover meals not provided at the residence hall, weekend activities, and any incidental expenses until their first pay is received.

"The Congressional Page Program is one of the most prestigious academic programs offered by the U.S. Congress and I am grateful to Speaker Pelosi for allowing our territory the opportunity to select a student from American Samoa to attend this learning institution," Faleomavaega said.

"I believe this will be a golden opportunity for a student who may want to learn and experience up close how our national legislative process works."

"Students interested in being considered for the Congressional Page Summer session must contact my Chief of Staff Iuli Godinet immediately at my office in Utulei to learn more about the program and to obtain the application forms," Faleomavaega concluded.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 30, 2009

Washington , D.C. -- Faleomavaega thanks Deportment of Energy for including territories in weatherization assistance program for low-income-persons

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a final rule to expand the definition of "States" under the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons (WAP) and to amend the financial assistance allocation procedure to reflect the expanded definition. The new rule in effect means American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, are eligible for funding under WAP.

WAP was first created by Congress in 1976 (P.L. 95-619) to assist low-income families who lacked resources to invest in energy efficiencies. The program was only available to the 50 States until Congress in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Energy Act of 2007 - P.L. 110-140) directed DOE to amend its regulatory definition of "States" under WAP to include Puerto Rico and all US territories and possessions. In addition, the statutory amendment also directed DOE to amend the allocation procedure for calculating the amount of financial assistance accordingly.

Each year, Congress appropriates funding for WAP. From this appropriation, each state is allocated a certain amount based on a two-part allocation comprised of a base allocation and a formula allocation. The formula allocation is based on three factors for each state-low-income population, climatic conditions and residential energy expenditures. Because there is a lack of specific-data for assessing shares for the territories, DOE relied on Hawaii's base allocation.

According to DOE, American Samoa is appropriated $196,784 under WAP in 2009. In addition, American Samoa is slated to receive $719,511 of WAP funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These amounts include portions for Program Operations and Training and Technical Assistance.

"I want to thank Secretary Steven Chu and the Department of Energy for issuing this rule consistent with the statutory amendment in the Energy Act of 2007. American Samoa could benefit tremendously from this program. Especially in these rough economic times and high costs of energy and utility, it could help reduce energy costs for participants, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and children, by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes while promoting their health and safety," Faleomavaega added.

"This is a new program for American Samoa and much still needs to be worked out between our local government and the office of DOE before it is fully implemented and service is delivered to our people. I am happy nevertheless that Congress was able to understand the needs of American Samoa and the other US Territories and made the necessary changes to the law, thus allowing American Samoa to receive funding under this important federal program," Faleomavaega concluded.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 31, 2009

Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega recommends New Windjet Energy Technology to supplement American Samoa energy needs

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he recommends the new WindJet Energy wind power generation system (WindJet Energy system) to supplement American Samoa’s energy needs. The new Windjet Energy system utilizes a new design that improves on the conventional three-blade windmills used by General Electric (GE) Vestas, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Nordex and many others.

"I want to thank Ron Morrison, a Native Hawaiian and marketing partner for WindJet Energy, for bringing this new wind power generation system to my attention. I am very impressed with the technology and the concept behind the WindJet Energy system, especially the ability to make wind power production more cost effective and efficient," Faleomavaega said.

The new design was invented by Brad Sorensen, founder and CEO of Source One Power, who was also credited for several designs including the 1986–1992 Mazda RX7 sports car and Volvo 850 sedan, station wagon and coupe, Freightliner semi-trucks, Lockheed jet aircraft, U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, race cars, power boats, sail boats and other vehicles.

Using a wheel design with a solid ring on the outside supporting thousands of extremely light weight, aerodynamic blades on the inside, WindJet Energy system uses a jet-ducted turbine designed specifically for gathering a higher amount of wind energy, not a dated propeller. Unlike the existing windmills that can only operate in wind speeds of 11mph to 17mph, the new WindJet Energy system is designed to take full advantage of the Earth's spectrum of wind speeds from 1mph to 250mph, with no limits to the amount of power that can be generated. In other words, the WindJet Energy system can be effective in 95% of worldwide land areas and 99% of all water areas.

"Wind is perpetual and as long as the earth spins, there will be wind energy available. And, given the climatic conditions in American Samoa, it is most fitting to test and see for ourselves the outcome of such promising new technology. The new technology is designed to be installed in months and has an automatic return of power and savings with each passing wind with minimal maintenance," Faleomavaega added.

"Not only will it help supplement our energy needs, the construction, installation and maintenance of WindJet Energy system in American Samoa also will stimulate the creation of jobs in our territory and will create an exciting opportunity to help attract some of the most experienced talent in the industry."

"In this age when worldwide demand for clean, renewable, electric power, is growing tremendously, America Samoa needs to pursue alternative energy sources and try new inventions in order to adapt and adjust to the challenge," Faleomavaega concluded.

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