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In his capacity as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, Congressman Faleomavaega recently traveled to Indonesia and Thailand to meet with leaders of government. Among those he met with was Retired Admiral Freddy Numberi, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries for the Indonesia government. The two discussed issues relating to fish management and conservation, international fishing rights, and the impact of mining for natural resources on the environment. 
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Press Releases_
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. -- US Department of Labor says Minimum Wage Study well underway; report will be issued in January Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he met with Dr. Ronald Bird, Chief Economist from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy of the US Department of Labor, regarding the minimum wage study now underway to determine the impact of increases on the economies of American Samoa and CNMI. "I am pleased to report that Dr. Bird has informed me that the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Statistics has made tremendous progress in American Samoa and has already gathered data from our tuna canneries, ASG, and the US Department of the Interior," Faleomavaega said. "The Bureau of Statistics will also be consulting with our local Chamber of Commerce." "Within the next month, Dr. Bird's team will begin the process of analyzing the data and, in early November, Dr. Bird expects that he will have a draft report for internal review. By January 2008, the report will be submitted to Congress." "In addition to his expertise, Dr. Bird has assigned three economists to work on this study and they have devoted serious time and effort to making sure they can provide Congress with the most accurate information about the impact further minimum wage increases would have on our economy," Faleomavaega said. "Having met with Dr. Bird on July 25, 2007 and again today, I can say without reservation that American Samoa and CNMI can be confident that the US Department of Labor will issue an objective and solid report. I have every confidence in Dr. Bird and his team, and I thank him and his staff for their hard work and dedication." |
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"Their findings will be critical in determining whether or not we will be able to end escalator clauses which now require that minimum wages be increased annually by $0.50 per hour. As I have said before, I support a one-time increase of $0.50 per hour for our lowest-income workers annually by $0.50 per hour but I do not, have not, and will not support escalator clauses, or annual increases, forced upon us without the benefit of knowing whether or not our economy can sustain the increase." "This is why I am appreciative that Chairman George Miller of the House Committee on Education and Labor agreed to my request to include a provision in the law which requires the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics to undertake a study to determine the impact these increases might have on our economies. In January 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will submit its findings to Congress. If it is determined that our economies cannot sustain further increases, then I will spare no effort in making sure our economies are protected." "For now, I am pleased that the study is underway and that the report will be issued on time. Again, I thank Dr. Bird and his team for the work they are doing and I will continue to keep our people updated as this matter progresses," Faleomavaega concluded. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 22, 2007 Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega writes to Chairman Rahall expressing concerns about CNMI Immigration Bill Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has written to Chairman Nick Rahall of the House Committee on Natural Resources expressing his serious concerns about H.R. 3079 and its companion bill S. 1634 which would apply certain provisions of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Faleomavaega sent duplicate letters to Chairwoman Donna Christensen of the Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Senators Inouye, Akaka, and Bingaman, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, Deputy Assistant Secretary David Cohen, Governor Togiola, the Lieutenant Governor, the President of the Senate and Senators, and the Speaker of the House and Representatives. The full text of Faleomavaega’s letter dated September 20, 2007 is included below. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to express my concerns about H.R. 3079 and its companion bill S. 1634 which would apply certain provisions of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). It is my understanding that Senator Daniel Akaka has requested a GAO review of the immigration problems that have confronted CNMI for the past several years, and the review and the report from the GAO have not yet been completed. Also, as you know, minimum wage law was recently imposed on CNMI and American Samoa with very little regard for the input of our territorial leaders and key Members of the House and Senate who supported our efforts for a more sound approach that excluded escalator clauses which may be very harmful to the economies of both territories. While we were able to include a provision which requires the US Department of Labor to undertake a study regarding the proposed impact of this federal legislation on the economies of both CNMI and American Samoa, we will not have results from this study until sometime in January 2008. This is why I believe it is in the best interest of CNMI and American Samoa that we hold off on pushing for immigration reform until we have had sufficient time to resolve the serious problems dealing with the potential impact of federal minimum wage laws. As you may know, the intent of minimum wage legislation which was put forward in the House was not supposed to include American Samoa. However, the Republicans made such an issue of this point and American Samoa was forced into the debate and included in the measures despite the best efforts of Senators Inouye, Akaka, and Bingaman as well as certain Members of the House who were also sympathetic to both CNMI and American Samoa. Although it may not be anyone's intent to include American Samoa in the immigration debate surrounding CNMI, the fact is no one can promise that American Samoa will not be pulled into this debate and included in any measures that may go forward. For this reason, I cannot support H.R. 3079 or S. 1634 at this time. Again, I believe it is best for us to wait until the US Department of Labor has assessed the impact of increased minimum wages on CNMI and American Samoa and issued its report to Congress which is due in the next eight months. After this, I would support revisiting immigration reform in CNMI, as I will also request the GAO to conduct a similar review of immigration issues dealing with American Samoa. In conclusion, I would like to note that I am aware that some leaders in CNMI support H.R. 3079 and S. 1634. However, there are also leaders in CNMI who are opposed to both bills. In part, I believe the division among the leaders is due to the fact that language to provide CNMI a delegate in Congress has been included in the immigration reform bill. For your information, I believe these issues should be separated into different bills. I believe the people of CNMI deserve a Delegate to Congress no matter what the outcome of immigration reform may be and I am hopeful that the House and Senate Subcommittees on Insular Affairs will introduce separate legislation to this effect without immigration reform attached. I stand prepared to support such a measure and I am sure many of our colleagues will support the same. Faleomavaega concluded his letter by saying, "By way of duplicate letters, I have informed Senators Inouye, Akaka, and Bingaman, Chairwoman Christensen and Secretary Kempthorne of my views. I have also copied Governor Togiola and our local leaders on each letter. As always, I thank you for your commitment to the territories and I look forward to our continued work together." FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 24, 2007 Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega addresses issue of South Pacific Scholarship program Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that he is responding to a letter to the editor written by a parent who seemed upset that Faleomavaega is not doing enough to provide scholarships for American Samoan students. The letter appeared in the August 19th issue of the Samoa Post and the August 20th issue of the Samoa News newspapers. "I would like to thank the parent who asked about the 'one million dollars in scholarships for Pacific Island students.' I assume the parent was referring to a bill, (H.R. 3062), I introduced recently which provides for an increase in authorization of $500,000 in scholarships for students from South Pacific island nations," Faleomavaega said. "The Pacific Island Scholarship Program funded by the United States Congress is part of the foreign assistance program the U.S. provides for Pacific island nations. The purpose of this program is to provide educational opportunities for students from Pacific islands to pursue degree programs at U.S. colleges and universities in fields relevant to development needs of these island nations," Faleomavaega continued. "I strongly support this bill that increases educational opportunities for students from our inter-island countries in the Pacific region, and I make no apologies for the program. Currently, Japan, China, New Zealand, Australia and the European Union countries contribute more strongly towards aiding Pacific island countries, with the United States trailing far behind. I feel it is critical that the United States should pay more attention to the social, economic and educational needs of our island nations," Faleomavaega added. "Let me stress again that American Samoan students currently qualify for all federal grants, loans, and scholarship awards that are provided through the U.S. Department of Education. These programs provide more than $80 billion a year in grants, loans, and work-study assistance," Faleomavaega explained. "The Pell Grant available to students who are U.S. nationals, (i.e. students who were born in American Samoa) attending the American Samoa Community College pays out as much as $4,050 to each student each year, depending on attendance status. This money is for student educational aid only, and is not on a loan basis to be paid back by the student or his/her family later on," Faleomavaega continued. "The U.S. Department of Education student aid is the largest source for financial assistance in the country, but it is not the only source. There are numerous other sources of federal aid and scholarships totaling more than $3 billion. Non-federal financial assistance programs and requirements often vary from school to school, and from program to program," the Congressman said. "Also available for American Samoa students who are U.S. nationals are the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), where students can receive between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on when they apply, the financial need, the funding at the school they are attending, and the policies of the financial aid office at the school," Faleomavaega elaborated. "Then there is the Academic Competitiveness Grant where the grant will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who have successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Second year students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0," Faleomavaega continued. "There are also the Federal Perkins Loan Program, the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Strafford Loans Program and even PLUS Loans available to parents of dependent undergraduate students. And then there are Institutional Grants in addition where colleges provide institutional grants to help make up the difference between college costs and what a family can be expected to contribute through income, savings, loans, and student earnings," Faleomavaega said. "Other institutional grants, known as merit awards or merit scholarships, are awarded on the basis of academic achievement. Some merit awards are offered only to students whose families demonstrate financial need; others are awarded without regard to a family's finances. Some grants come with special privileges or obligations. I can go on and on, but all it takes is a matter of sitting down and going through each one to see which is the most appropriate and more applicable to the colleges and universities the students want to attend," the Congressman reiterated. "I have assigned Ms. Sia Figiel of our District Office to conduct an outreach program with the local DOE to ensure that our students are made aware of the availability of these grants, loans and scholarship opportunities. Additionally, last year, our office established a partnership program with the Feleti Barstow Public Library Computer Lab to hold college and scholarship search programs through the internet with as many high school juniors and seniors to ensure that they qualify for such programs," Faleomavaega stated. "Like I’ve said for the past several years, there are federal grants, loans and scholarships available for American Samoan students. And if the parent who wrote the letter to the editor is really serious about looking for grants, loans and scholarship for his child, I suggest he contacts Ms. Figiel at 633-1372 at our office in Utulei for an appointment and see what can be done to assist him about these financial aids programs," Faleomavaega concluded. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 28, 2007 Washington, D.C. -- Special Projects Counsel to Senator Akaka, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, visits American Samoa Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Special Projects Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, Ms. Mary Ellen McCarthy, will be visiting American Samoa on an official trip to meet with our veterans and local leaders. "I am very pleased that the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs is taking a special interest in our local Veterans," Faleomavaega said. "I hope that our local Veterans will take advantage of this visit by a senior staff of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs to share with her their concerns and issues given the remote location and unique circumstances we face in American Samoa." "I am encouraged that someone of Mary Ellen's caliber will be available to personally meet with our Veterans. As a former Democratic staffer of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, and also former Legal Counsel and Staff Director for the Subcommittees responsible for legislation and oversight of VA programs addressing the financial needs of disabled and low income veterans and their families, she is someone with a deep and personal understanding of Veterans issues and is an expert from a policy standpoint." "I encourage all our Veterans to take advantage of this excellent and rare opportunity to meet with Ms. McCarthy and to share with her their concerns." "To facilitate the opportunities for our local Veterans who wish to learn more about Ms. McCarthy's visit, my staff and local office in Utulei is readily available to provide any information and answer any questions pertaining to Ms. McCarthy's visit." "At this time, I want to acknowledge and thank my dear friend, Senator Daniel Akaka, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs for his continued support for our island territory and local Veterans. Senator Akaka's support was critical in every step of the process that got us the VA Clinic we recently dedicated in American Samoa last July." "I have called the good Senator to thank him for his long time friendship to our people and especially for allowing this important visit by his Committee staff to meet and hear directly from our Veterans," Faleomavaega concluded. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega seeks further consultation with Fono on voting rights for American Samoa's military men and women Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that in a letter of September 7, 2007 to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House he has requested to meet with the Fono to discuss ways in which a bill can be offered and passed by the American Samoa Legislature which will ensure that military men and women whose home of record is American Samoa can vote for the Governor and House members. The full text of the Congressman's letter which was copied to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Senators, Representatives, the Attorney General, and the Election Commissioner is included below. Dear Mr. President and Mr. Speaker: I am writing to thank you for inviting me to a joint meeting with the Senate and House last month. Our discussions were productive and fruitful and I appreciate the concerns expressed by our Fono members regarding a bill I introduced that would allow our military men and women whose home of record is American Samoa to vote for our local leaders. As you know, our military men and women whose home of record is American Samoa pay taxes in American Samoa by having their federal taxes sent to the American Samoa Government (ASG) rather than the United States Treasury. From 1995-2003, for example, our military men and women paid over $6 million in taxes to ASG, according to the US Department of Treasury. From 2004 to present, our military men and women paid roughly $750,000 per year (or an additional $3 million), although Treasury will provide my office with a more accurate accounting of the past four years in the very near future. Having paid approximately $9 million to ASG since 1995, our military men and women have still been denied the right to vote by absentee ballot for the Governor and House members. For too long, our military men and women were also denied the right to fully participate in federal elections held in American Samoa. As you may recall, the law once mandated that run-off elections be held two weeks after the general election if a candidate running for the office of Delegate or Governor did not receive a majority of the vote. However, as our Fono members will agree, two weeks did not allow enough time for ballots to be prepared, mailed, and returned in time for our military personnel and other absentee voters to participate in the run-off election. Since 1998, I brought this to the attention of our Governors and Fono and suggested that ASG hold primary elections to avoid the problem of a two-week run-off that disenfranchised not only our military men and women but also our college students and other overseas voters. I also explained that future Delegates could miss out on key committee assignments and could be ranked more junior as a result of delayed outcomes and run-off elections. Regrettably, for years, ASG took no action. Left with no other recourse, I introduced federal legislation to protect the voting rights of our overseas voters and military men and women after having made every effort to accommodate our local leaders. Congress supported me, as did Governor Togiola, and today, our military men and women can vote for the office of the Delegate as a result of plurality voting which takes away the need for a run-off election. Be assured, however, that I continue to believe ASG should establish primary elections and restore majority voting. This is what I have advocated for years, and I continue to believe that primary elections are an essential part of the election process. Almost every State of the Union has primary elections which allow multiple candidates to run for office. The top two candidates of the primary then proceed to the general election where only two candidates vie for office until one is elected by a majority of the votes. This is how federal elections across the country are conducted and this is why, after consultation with Governor Togiola, I included a special provision in the federal law which allows our Fono to establish a local law governing primary elections. To date, the Fono has not acted. Even so, I am pleased that our military men and women are able to vote for their Delegate regardless of whether or not the Fono establishes primary elections. I also stand by my position that our military men and women whose home of record is American Samoa ought to be able to vote for their Governor and House members. Some claim this is not my business. If our local government would do its part to ensure their right to vote, it would not be my business. But until our local government acts, I will continue to do everything I can to assist our military men and women on the grounds that this is a federal issue. Military men and women are employees of the federal government and their right to vote is protected by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Voting Act of 1975. While enacted to protect the right of US servicemen and women to vote in federal elections, most States and Territories support their service members by sending a ballot for local elections at the same time a ballot is sent for a federal election. Voting by mail is a soldier's right, not a privilege. Regarding suggestions that the federal government should not impose itself in American Samoa's right to self-rule, I kindly note that American Samoa is not an independent nation. American Samoa is part of the United States and the United States is part of us. Years ago, it was my privilege to work on legislation to provide our people with the right to elect their own Governor and Delegate and, today, our military men and women fight and die to protect our right to vote. In honor of our men and women in uniform and their families, I was hopeful that the Fono would enact a local law to allow our service members to vote for their Governor and House members by absentee ballot as the law now allows them to vote for their Delegate. But several years have since passed and the Fono has not acted. For this reason, I introduced legislation at the federal level which will allow our military men and women whose home of record is American Samoa to vote by absentee ballot in local elections if ASG does not take action. However, I am hopeful that the American Samoa Legislature will resolve this matter locally. Therefore, I respectfully request an opportunity to meet again with our Fono members to discuss ways in which a bill can be offered and passed by our local legislature which will ensure that our military men and women whose home of record is American Samoa can vote for their Governor and House members. While I am disappointed that our election office is stating that such action will allow Samoans from New York to be able to vote in our local elections, I must emphasize that this is simply not true. Only service members whose home of record is American Samoa will be allowed to vote. Based on this understanding, I would welcome the opportunity to meet with the Fono on Wednesday September 12 or Thursday September 13, 2007. Faleomavaega concluded his letter by stating, "As always, I look forward to working with you, especially as we seek to protect the voting rights of our military men and women to whom we owe so much." FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. -- Foreign Affairs Committee passes Faleomavaega Pacific Island Economic and Educational Development Act of 2007 Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Committee on Foreign Affairs passed by unanimous consent H.R. 3062, the Pacific Island Economic and Educational Development Act of 2007. Faleomavaega introduced the bill in three parts as a result of his work with the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL) and in consultation with Dr. Charles E. Morrison, Director of the East-West Center. At today's mark-up, Faleomavaega introduced an amendment in the nature of a substitute which rolls three bills into one providing $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009 for exchanges with Pacific Island countries carried out under the educational and cultural exchange programs of the Department of State. This is a continuation of the US-South Pacific (USSP) Scholarship Program which has been funded in recent years at $500,000 per year. The first grant was received by the East-West Center in 1994. H.R. 3062 also authorizes the US Agency for International Development (USAID), upon the request by the government of a Pacific Island country, to provide government technical and other assistance. Finally, the bill establishes a program with the US Department of State and the Fulbright Educational Exchange Program to make awards to students from Pacific Island countries to permit such students to study in the US pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Program. Pacific Island countries, for the sake of this bill, are defined as the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Independent State of Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Kiribati, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. "I want to thank Chairman Tom Lantos and Ranking Member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for their support of this bill, and also the Members of the Committee who voted unanimously to move this bill forward. The bill will now be considered on the House Floor in the near future, and I am hopeful that the Senate will also take up the bill so we can get this legislation signed into law. Although we still have a ways to go before these measures can become law, I am pleased by today’s outcome and I, again, thank my colleagues for their support," Faleomavaega concluded. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. -- FAA agress to extend deadline for temporary airport tower agreement Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the FAA has agreed to extend the deadline for ASG's temporary airport tower agreement. Faleomavaega requested the extension on behalf of Governor Togiola who contacted the Congressman on August 6, 2007. In a letter dated August 8, 2007, Faleomavaega informed the Governor and the Fono of the FAA's decision. The full text of the Congressman's letter to Governor Togiola, which was copied to the Fono and Senator Inouye, is included below. Dear Governor Togiola: In response to your email letter of August 6, 2007 in which you requested my assistance in extending the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) deadline regarding the Other Transactions Agreement which ASG must enter into by August 21, 2007 or lose the $2 million set aside for a temporary airport tower, I have contacted the FAA on your behalf and I am pleased to report that the FAA has agreed to extend the deadline to September 21, 2007. Anything beyond a September 21, 2007 signing date will put the funds in jeopardy since these are funds which were obligated in FY 2005 and which, by law, expire on September 30, 2007. I am also pleased to report that the FAA has agreed that ASG will not have to have a contractor in place prior to signing. Furthermore, the FAA has agreed that once the OTA is signed, the $2 million in funds will no longer be subject to the expiration of September 21, 2007. In fact, once signed, the agreement has a clause that states that the project must be completed within a certain time period, typically three years. However, the FAA has agreed to allow ASG some flexibility and could allow ASG up to 3.5 or 4 years to complete the construction of a temporary airport tower. The FAA has also agreed to put in language in the OTA which would allow for a delayed start date rather than requiring ASG to begin construction upon signing of the OTA. Again, this would provide ASG with the time it needs to find a contractor, etc, in the next 6 months. To recap, the FAA has agreed to extend the OTA signing from August 31, 2007 to September 21, 2007. The FAA will not require ASG to have a contractor in place prior to signing. Once the agreement is signed, the FAA will allow ASG up to 3.5 or 4 years to complete the project. The FAA will also allow for a delayed start date rather than requiring ASG to begin construction on September 21, 2007. Given that the FAA has agreed to accommodate ASG as much as possible, I am hopeful that ASG will now be able to move forward with this project if our local leaders so desire. For your information, I am enclosing contact information for Ms. Deborah Johnson, Director, Terminal Planning who has provided my office with the information I have outlined in this letter. Ms. Johnson stands prepared to assist you and expedite your requests. Ms. Johnson may be contacted at deborah.johnson@faa.gov or by phone at 202-385-8604. My office has already alerted her that your office may be contacting her soon. Faleomavaega concluded his letter by stating, "Please let me know if I can be of further assistance." Admin: Did you see Stephen Colbert's interview with Congressman Faleomavaega on the Colbert Report show? Those of you who haven't seen his show, Colbert ask questions of his guests in sometime convoluted and agitated ways. It's his way of getting laughs. It's a comedy show. That's what he does to make money. Is he serious about finding out facts? Watching his show, I 'm not sure. I have a worrisome feeling that his audience cares more about his comedic antics than about the answers. Maybe they do? I hope so. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega was guest on the Colbert Report's "Know a Protectorate" Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he was a guest on The Colbert Report which aired nationally last night on the Comedy Central cable channel. The Colbert Report, hosted by Dr. Stephen T. Colbert, is carried nightly, Monday through Friday on Comedy Central. The Colbert Report averages 1.1 million viewers nightly. Each episode is re-aired four times after its premier at 11:30 PM, Eastern Time. The Colbert Report episode in which Congressman Faleomavaega appeared will be re-aired tonight at 8:30 PM, Eastern Time. It can also be viewed on The Colbert Report website at: http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_colbert_report/index.jhtml
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega expresses disappointment in Federal Aviation Administration Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has expressed his disappointment in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in a letter dated August 2, 2007 to Mr. Robert Sturgell, Deputy Administrator. A full copy of the Congressman’s letter to Mr. Sturgell is included below. Dear Mr. Sturgell: On April 23, 2007 as a follow-up to our previous discussions, you and your staff met at my office at which time I requested information regarding what options might be available to the American Samoa Government (ASG) to establish airport traffic control tower (ATCT) services at the Pago Pago International Airport. On July 20, 2007, three months after our meeting, the FAA provided my office with a letter and information including a list of contractors who have experience building ATCTs. Nowhere in the letter did you mention that ASG would need to enter into an Other Transactions Agreement by August 31, 2007, or else the $2 million which has been set aside for the construction of a temporary airport tower would be lost. On August 1, 2007, however, your Congressional liaison contacted my staff and informed my office that the FAA would need to know something no later than August 31, 2007 in order to get this processed before the money expires. Frankly, I expected more from the FAA than this. At a minimum, I expected a 30 day response to our meeting of April 23, 2007, and I expected your letter of July 20, 2007 to include pertinent deadlines. That it did not is reflective of the FAA's continued failure to appropriately assist ASG as it transitions its airport traffic control services at the Pago Pago International Airport. As you know full-well, the FAA was derelict in its responsibilities in constructing a temporary airport tower and allowed parts that were sent to American Samoa for this purpose to rot and corrode. Also, after the US Department of Transportation had already approved a temporary airport tower for American Samoa and sent the parts for its construction, Mr. Bill Withycombe of the FAA's Regional office then decided to conduct a cost-benefit analysis. Certainly if the FAA or Mr. Withycombe were sincere in its efforts, the FAA would have conducted a cost-benefit analysis before it sent parts to build a tower, not after. While it is my intent to do what must be done legislatively to re-establish FAA presence in American Samoa, I wanted to let you know of my disappointment. Regardless, on July 25, 2007, I wrote to the Governor and our Fono and informed them that I have agreed to release the $2 million and that ASG may move forward in entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the FAA to develop plans and locate a site for the construction of an air traffic control tower within the vicinity of the airport. Faleomavaega concluded his letter by saying, "In response to your Congressional liaison's email of August 1, 2007, I have again written to the Governor of American Samoa and our local Legislature informing them of the August 31, 2007 deadline. A copy of my letter of August 2, 2007 to ASG is enclosed for your information." FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega informs ASG of FAA's August 31, 2007 deadline regarding airport tower Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that in a letter dated August 2, 2007 he has informed Governor Togiola and the Fono that the Federal Aviation Administration has indicated that ASG must make a decision by August 31, 2007 about whether or not to enter into an Other Transactions Agreement (OTA) or the $2 million set aside for the construction of a temporary airport tower will be lost. The full text of the Congressman's letter which was copied to Senator Inouye, the Lieutenant Governor, the President and Senators, and the Speaker and Representatives is included below. Dear Governor Togiola: On April 23, 2007 as a follow-up to my previous discussions with the FAA, I met with Mr. Robert A. Sturgell, Deputy Administrator of the FAA, and his staff in my DC office at which time I requested information regarding what options might be available to the American Samoa Government (ASG) to establish airport traffic control tower (ATCT) services at the Pago Pago International Airport. On July 20, 2007, three months after our meeting, the FAA provided my office with a letter and information including a list of contractors who have experience building ATCTs. On July 25, 2007, I forwarded this information to the Fono and your office and stated that I would inform the FAA to release the $2 million which had been set aside so that ASG may enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the FAA to develop plans and locate a site for the construction of an air traffic control tower within the vicinity of the airport. On August 1, 2007, the FAA contacted my office and informed me that ASG must make a decision by August 31, 2007 about whether or not to enter into an Other Transactions Agreement (OTA) with the FAA or the $2 million set aside will be lost. If you wish to pursue this agreement, your office will need to immediately contact Mr. Mr. Robert A. Sturgell, Deputy Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence AVE, SW, Washington, DC 20591. You may also contact Ms. Megan Rosia, Assistant Administrator for Government and Industry Affairs at 202-267-3277. You will need to provide Mr. Sturgell with point of contact information including the Airport Director or Manager's Name, Title, Address, Phone, Fax and Email. You will also need to determine if ASG will enter into the OTA or if the airport authority will be the point of contact. Either ASG or the airport authority will need to sign the OTA, accept the funds, and be responsible for the project and the resulting tower. The Congressman concluded his letter by saying, "For your information, I am also enclosing my letter of August 2, 2007 to Mr. Sturgell regarding this matter. Please let me know if I may be of further assistance." FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 2, 2007 Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega visits Army Reservists from American Samoa in Fort Hood and injured Samoan soldiers in Fort Sam Houston Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he recently visited members of the U.S. Army Reserve from American Samoa who have been training in Fort Hood, Texas in preparation for deployment to Iraq. The 35 men and women from American Samoa are members of the 9th Regional Readiness Command headquartered in Hawaii. They are scheduled for deployment to Iraq in less than two weeks. "I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to sit down with our soldiers before their deployment," Faleomavaega said. "I can honestly say that their morale is high and from what I observed, they are also both mentally and physically ready for the task ahead of them."  "I was able to review the training received by our soldiers and I was also briefed by the U.S. Army in Fort Hood on the status of our soldiers' training. I was very pleased to know that they are fully prepared and ready for their new assignments in Iraq." "I want to recognize the tremendous support provided by our Samoan community at Fort Hood to our Samoan soldiers not only from American Samoa but to all others who are stationed there. I especially want to thank Reverend Menise Sasa and his wife, Faletua o Faavaefou Sunia-Sasa and the Samoa i Texas Congregation in Fort Hood for all they have done to make our Samoan soldiers and their families feel at home."
"While I was in Texas, I took advantage of the opportunity to also visit our injured soldiers at Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio. This is where one of our Samoan daughters, Lieutenant Colonel Evelyn Langford, daughter of Senator Vaitautolu Liugalua of Fitiuta, is the Executive Officer for the 3rd Medical Training Brigade. I visited Sergeant Venasio Sele and Staff Sergeant Pio Paau, both have been seriously injured in the war in Iraq and have continued to receive treatment at Fort Sam Houston. I was very pleased to witness their tremendous recovery and rehabilitation back to living normal lives." "At this time, I also want to recognize Reverend Tony Na'otala and members of the Samoan Congregation in San Antonio for all the support they have provided to our soldiers in the area. Their strong support for our injured soldiers has been remarkable." "Finally, I ask our Samoan community throughout to keep our men and women in the military in prayers. Let us pray especially for the safety of our sons and daughters who are serving during this time of war. Let us also pray for their families that they remain strong during these difficult times of separation," Faleomavaega concluded. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega thanks VA for opening new clinic for American Samoa's veterans Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he met with Dr. Robert Wiebe, the top VA official, or Chief Network Officer, responsible for services in American Samoa, Hawaii, Guam, California, and Nevada, and thanked him for opening a new clinic for American Samoa's veterans. "For the past six years, Dr. Wiebe has worked with us every step of the way to help establish a VA clinic in American Samoa, and I am so thankful that after so many years of hard work and dedication, our new VA clinic will finally open next Monday," Faleomavaega said. "This is good news for American Samoa's veterans and our reservists, and in large part, we owe our new clinic to Dr. Wiebe." "Since 2001, Dr. Wiebe and I have left no stone unturned in doing what we could to establish a VA clinic in American Samoa. We repeatedly made our case to the US Department of Veterans Affairs and to Congress, and now the VA is set to invest $2 to $3 million a year in American Samoa's clinic." "About $500,000 annually will be used for staff salaries (plus benefits), $750,000 for pharmacy, $1 million for off-island specialty services, and about $500,000 for patient travel to obtain specialty services. As Dr. Wiebe has pointed out, these estimates assume that veterans will continue to be able to obtain in-patient care and support services (e.g., laboratory and x-ray) from the LBJ Tropical Medical Center without cost to the patients or the VA, as already agreed." "To prepare for our opening, the VA has already spent over $500,000 to renovate the Army Reserve Center. To construct a comparable building, it would cost the VA at least $4 million. With a $4 million building, and nearly $3 million per year being invested in services, I am hopeful our veterans will soon begin to see the benefits of our $7 million clinic and the invaluable services which it will provide year after year." "No price tag can be put on what it means to have access to quality healthcare. Access to quality healthcare is priceless and this is why I am so pleased that for the first time in our history we now have a VA clinic in American Samoa to make sure our veterans begin to get the care they deserve. For this and many other reasons, I want to thank Dr. Robert Wiebe and also his associates in Hawaii including Mr. Dave Burge and Dr. James Hastings, former and current Directors, respectively, of the VA Regional Office in Hawaii." "I also want to again express my appreciation to the Army Reserve for honoring my request to turn over the old Army Reserve Center to the VA so that we could establish a clinic for our veterans. I also thank the CARES Commission which supported my testimony on behalf of our veterans in 2003." "I also thank my colleagues in the House and Senate including the Honorable Chris Smith, who at the time of his support was Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, and the Honorable Lane Evans, Ranking Member, now retired. I also thank Senator Daniel Inouye and Senator Daniel Akaka, a senior member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. I also thank Governor Togiola and our local Legislature for their support." "As a result of our combined efforts, our VA clinic will eventually be staffed with 6 people including one primary (or family medicine) physician, one mental health care provider, two nurses (one R.N. and one L.P.N.), one social worker, and one clerk." "Again, I cannot say enough that our veterans deserve the best services the VA has to offer and I look forward to being on-island for the dedication of our new VA clinic which is history in the making for our veterans who have borne the battle," Faleomavaega concluded.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. -- Faleomavaega calls on Prime Minister of Fiji, the US Attorney General and US State Department to initiate immediate investigation into death of Mr. Alex Galea'i Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has contacted the Prime Minister of Fiji, the US Attorney General, and the US State Department and requested an immediate investigation into the death of Mr. Alex Galea'i. In his letters to top government officials in the US and Fiji, Faleomavaega said that he has been contacted by his constituent, Mrs. Fia Faiivae Galea'i, regarding her son, Mr. Alex Galea'i, who was found dead in his hotel room in Suva, Fiji sometime around 10 July 2007. "Fijian police officials who conducted the investigation reported that Mr. Galea'i had multiple knife wounds both in his stomach and chest areas. Fijian police also determined that the cause of Mr. Galeai's death was self-inflicted." "I do not for a second believe such a finding," Faleomavaega said, "especially when an autopsy was not performed on Mr. Galeai's body. It is quite obvious that a murder took place and that foul play is involved. For this reason, I have called for an immediate investigation and asked the US Attorney General to dispatch a team of FBI agents to conduct a thorough review of the events surrounding Mr. Galeai's untimely death." "I have also called upon Assistant Secretary Christopher Hill of the US State Department to intervene through diplomatic channels. Also, I have contacted the Prime Minister of Fiji and requested the assistance of the appropriate Ministry of his government to assist US federal agents who I am hopeful will be sent to Fiji to conduct an investigation in the very near future." "It is my understanding that Mr. Galeai's body was flown recently from Fiji to American Samoa, and it is expected that an autopsy will be conducted sometime this week at the LBJ Medical Tropical Center in American Samoa. If asked, I will forward the results of the autopsy to the US Attorney General." "Until then, my thoughts and prayers are with the family and I will do everything I can to make sure they get the justice they deserve," Faleomavaega concluded. |
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