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Press Releases_
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2011
Washington, D.C. - Faleomavaega responds to KHJ Radio inquiry if President Obama will visit American Samoa
Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that he responded to a recent inquiry from KHJ Radio in American Samoa regarding the presence of federal law enforcement agents at Pago Pago International Airport in Tafuna, American Samoa. In response to the inquiry, Faleomavaega stated that federal security surveillances are a common occurrence months in advance for any federal V.I.P. visit or stopover anywhere in the United States or abroad.
In general, for Presidential visits, teams of security personnel travel in advance to assess needs for manpower, equipment, hospitals and evacuation routes for emergencies. Fire, rescue and other public service personnel in the community are alerted and advance agents coordinate all military, federal, state, and local law enforcement representatives along with public safety organizations. There is also a component of advanced protective research to evaluate information received from law enforcement, intelligence agencies and a variety of other sources regarding individuals or groups who may pose a threat to the President.
"I am on record, and so is Governor Togiola, for having invited President Obama to visit American Samoa. In February last year, I wrote to the White House requesting if the President could also stop in American Samoa on his return from Australia to Washington. While I do hope that President Obama will visit us, it is unclear at the moment as to what the security agents are preparing for in American Samoa," Faleomavaega stated.
"Unfortunately I did not raise the issue again at our meeting with the President at the White House last Friday. But I am not at all surprised if agents are there in Samoa to conduct security surveillance because these things happen many months in advance, especially if there is a likelihood that President Obama will visit. I remind our people that since President Obama took office, the rate of threats against the President has increased 400 percent. This added factor has increased security measures beyond what was the case for all former presidents," Faleomavaega stated.
"There is a wide range of comprehensive logistics and preparation that are carried out especially if it's a Presidential visit. When Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stopped over in American Samoa last November, at my request, security surveillance also took place in advance in preparation for her arrival."
"I do hope that President Obama will visit us while he is President and should he decide to visit American Samoa, our people would be honored to receive him. However, I would like to stress the point that announcements about a Presidential visit are not made until plans are firm. In this instance, I am confident that any high ranking federal official who visits American Samoa will be greeted with the same hospitality and warmth that notable public figures have experienced in years past. When and if there may be a visit by President Obama, I am sure the White House will inform my office and I will be happy to share that information with everyone once we are permitted, although right now we do not know if a visit is expected," Faleomavaega concluded.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2011
Washington, D.C. - Faleomavaega represents American Samoa at CAPAC's first meeting with President Obama
Congressman Faleomavaega announced that earlier today the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) met with President Obama to discuss a range of issues affecting the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.
The meeting took place in the Cabinet Room of the White House and marked the first official meeting between CAPAC and the President. The Caucus thanked the President for meeting with them, and brought up several points for discussion, including immigration reform, judicial nominations, health disparities, data disaggregation, ways to improve White House engagement with the AAPI community, and issues pertaining to the three U.S. territories in the Pacific: American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
According to a release from the White House, the President thanked the Caucus for all the hard work they do in Congress for the American people and the AAPI communities, and said that he looks forward to continuing to work with them. The President also noted that he was proud of his efforts to make the federal judiciary more diverse. Under President Obama, the number of AAPI federal judges has doubled.
The White House also stated that the President thanked the members for their support in passing the Affordable Care Act and for the steps they are taking to help eliminate the disparities that continue to exist in our health care system. The President pledged to continue working with Congress to create an immigration system that works, and noted that his Administration is working to ensure that the current system is streamlined, efficient and fair. The President and the Caucus also discussed the American Jobs Act. The Caucus also thanked the President for bringing attention to the American territories in the Pacific region.
President Obama was joined at the meeting by Cabinet Secretary Chris Lu, Deputy Chief of Staff Nancy-Ann DeParle, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Cecilia Munoz, and Executive Director of the White House AAPI Initiative Kiran Ahuja.
The following CAPAC Executive Board Members were present at the meeting: Congresswoman Judy Chu, Chair (CA), Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, Vice Chair (Guam), Congressman Mike Honda , Chair Emeritus (CA), Congressman Hansen Clarke (MI), Congressman Eni Faleomavaega (American Samoa), Congressman Al Green (TX), Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (HI), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA), Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA), and Congressman Gregorio Sablan (Northern Mariana Islands).
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.
"I am pleased to have represented the people of American Samoa in this historic discussion. Our discussion was not only a significant advancement for the voice of the Caucus but also for the entire Asian and Pacific American community. I extend my thanks to President Obama for his leadership in support of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and I also thank him for taking the time to dialogue with CAPAC about our pressing concerns and recommendations," Congressman Faleomavaega stated.
"As the fastest growing demographic in the nation, the specific needs of AAPIs in the States and the Territories, including American Samoa, must be considered in key administrative decisions affecting our nation, and I am confident that this meeting will serve as a constructive step forward in strengthening the White House's engagement with our AAPI community," Faleomavaega concluded.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2011
Washington, D.C. - Faleomavaega announces application for Gates Millennium Scholarships now available for students to apply
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that applications for the Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program are now available online to students entering college for the first time in the fall of 2012.
The Gates Millennium Scholars Program will select 1,000 students each year to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice. The GMS Program also provides scholars with personal and professional development through leadership programs along with academic support throughout their college career.
Students chosen as Gates Millennium Scholars receive funding based on financial need and the cost of tuition, fees, books, and living expenses are also included. In addition, the scholarship is renewable based on the student's academic progress and timely application.
Created in 1999, the Gates Millennium Scholars Program was initially funded by a $1 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with the intent of promoting academic excellence and providing an opportunity for outstanding minority students with significant financial need to reach their highest potential. The GMS Program also provides graduate school funding for continuing GMS Scholars in the areas of computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science. Since 2006, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund has managed the Gates Millennium Scholarship for Asian and Pacific Islander American applicants (GMS/APIA). According to APIASF, 8 students from American Samoa and 28 students of Samoan descent overall have been awarded the scholarship. Since inception, the GMS Program has graduated a total of over 7,000 scholars.
Students are eligible to be considered for a GMS scholarship if they meet all of the following criteria:
In order to be eligible to be considered for the GMS scholarship, all three forms must be submitted online by Wednesday, January 11, 2012 11:59 PM EST or postmarked on or before January 11, 2012. The Gates Millennium Scholarship application can be downloaded at www.gmsp.org. Applicants who need further assistance may contact Faleomavaega's district office in the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building in Utulei or call 633-1372.
"Once again, I want to encourage every qualified student in American Samoa to take advantage of this opportunity and apply for a scholarship. I want to thank the Gates Millennium Scholarship Program and the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund for outreaching to our students in American Samoa and for working closely with my office year after year to provide these scholarship opportunities," continued Faleomavaega.
"Last but not least, I want to congratulate our most recent GMS Scholars from American Samoa: Julianne Avalua Mao, Phil Petera Meleisea, and Mata'uitafa Temukisa Faiai. Higher education is priceless and I commend these scholars as well as past recipients for their exceptional achievement and for pursuing the financial resources to fund their education," Faleomavaega concluded.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2011
Washington, D.C. - Faleomavaega speaks on the House floor in support of S.CON.RES.28, honoring the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service in recognition of their service during WWII
Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that he spoke on floor of the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday in support of S.Con.Res. 28, a concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.
The concurrent resolution, sponsored by Senator Daniel Inouye (HI), passed in the House yesterday and the World War II veterans of the two combat units and the Military Intelligence Service are scheduled to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal collectively during a ceremony in November. The full text of Congressman Faleomavaega's floor statement is copied below.
Mr. Speaker:
On behalf of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Chairwoman Chu, Congresswoman Hirono, Congresswoman Hanabusa, and Congressman Honda, I rise today in support of S.Con.Res. 28, a resolution that would authorize the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II. I thank Senator Daniel Inouye for sponsoring this resolution, and I thank my fellow members of Congress who join me in support of this important bill.
As a Vietnam veteran and also a former member of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Reserve Unit in Honolulu, Hawaii, I am especially proud to say that we must recognize Senator Daniel Inouye, and also highly-respected, the late Senator Spark Matsunaga of Hawaii, who distinguished themselves in battle as soldiers with the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry during World War II.
As we all know, after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, there was such an outrage and cry for an all out war against Japan and days afterwards our President and the Congress officially declared war against Japan. Out of this retaliation against Japan, however, tens of thousands of Americans were caught in the crossfire. These Americans just happened to be of Japanese ancestry.
The federal government immediately implemented a policy whereby over 100,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry were forced to live in what were called relocation camps, but were actually more like prison or concentration camps. Their lands, homes and properties were confiscated by the federal government without due process of law. It was a time in our nation’s history when there was so much hatred, bigotry and racism against our fellow Americans who happened to be of Japanese ancestry.
Despite all this, over ten thousand Japanese Americans volunteered to join the U.S. military, despite the fact that their wives, parents, brothers and sisters were imprisoned behind barbed wire fences in these relocation camps. As a result of such volunteerism, two combat units, the 100th Battalion and the 442nd Infantry Combat Group, were organized and immediately sent to fight Nazi Germany in Europe.
Mr. Speaker, in my humble opinion, history speaks for itself in documenting that none have shed their blood more valiantly for our nation than the Japanese American soldiers who served in these two combat units. These units suffered an unprecedented casualty rate of 314%. They also emerged as the most decorated combat unit of their size in the history of the United States Army. The 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry received over 18,000 individual decorations for bravery and courage in the field of battle, many awarded posthumously. They were awarded 53 Distinguished Service Crosses, 560 Silver Stars, 9,486 Purple Hearts, and 7 Presidential Unit Citations, the nation’s top award for combat units. And yet, only one Medal of Honor was awarded at the time.
It was not until 1999 that Congress took corrective action by mandating a re-examination of why just one Medal of Honor was awarded to these Japanese Americans. As a result of this review, President Clinton awarded 20 additional Congressional Medals of Honor to these brave Japanese-American soldiers.
It was while fighting in Europe that Senator Inouye lost his arm while engaged in his personal battle against two German machine gun posts. For his heroism, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Senator Inouye was also one those recipients of the Medal of Honor and I was privileged to witness this historical moment at a White House ceremony.
Mr. Speaker, we should also note that while the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry were fighting on the front lines, thousands of Japanese Americans also joined the first U.S. military foreign language school, the Military Intelligence Service (also known as the M.I.S.), where they learned Japanese.
During the war, about 6,000 M.I.S. agents fought in all Army units in the Pacific and were assigned to allied forces in Australia, Britain, Canada, China, and India. They staffed theater-level intelligence centers and their duties included translating captured documents, interrogating prisoners of war, and listening to enemy radio communications.
At Bougainville in 1942 an M.I.S. agent translated an uncoded Japanese radio transmission describing Admiral Yamamoto's inspection schedule of the bases around the Solomon Islands, thereby leading to the successful interception of Yamamoto's aircraft. This victory resulted in a boost in morale for the Allies in the Pacific since Admiral Yamamoto had directed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
In 1944, the M.I.S. also translated the Japanese Imperial Navy's "Z-Plan," which outlined defense strategies in the Pacific. The translation of this vital document made it possible for the U.S. Navy to gain victory in the Marianas, the Philippines, and in other areas of the Pacific.
At war's end, the M.I.S. facilitated local surrenders of Japanese forces as well as the occupation. Working in military government, war crimes trials, censorship, and counterintelligence, these silent warriors contributed to the occupation's ultimate success.
Though many would only come to know of these stories decades later, these brave Americans earned the respect of our nation’s military leaders at a time when many Americans saw them as enemies. President Harry Truman called the Japanese Americans in the M.I.S. the "human secret weapon for the U.S. Armed Forces" and General Willoughby, MacArthur's intelligence chief credited the M.I.S. Nisei with shortening the war by two years and saving possibly a million American lives. President Truman was also so moved by the bravery of the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry in the field of battle, as well as that of African American soldiers during World War II, that he issued an Executive Order to finally desegregate all branches of the Armed Services.
On October 5, 2010 President Barack Obama granted the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team as well as the 6,000 Japanese Americans who served in the Military Intelligence Service during World War II.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that each one of these American heroes should be recognized for this high honor here in the heart of our nation - the United States Capitol - for their bravery, patriotism, and selfless service. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution to honor these men and women who valiantly served our nation.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2011
Washington, D.C. - Faleomavaega submits statement to U.N. Decolonization Committee
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has written to His Excellency Francisco Carrion-Mena, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations and Chairman of the Special Committee of 24, also known as the Decolonization Committee. A full text of Faleomavaega's September 12, 2011 letter, which was copied to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice, Governor Togiola, the Lieutenant Governor, President Gaoteote Tofau and Senators, and Speaker of the House Savali T. Ale and Representatives, is included below.
Dear Mr. Chairman:
In response to the United Nations Caribbean Seminar on the Eradication of Colonialism held in Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from May 31 to June 2, 2011, I am writing to request that my letter be made part of the record regarding certain issues relative to American Samoa's current political, social and economic relationships with the United States of America.
American Samoa: An Unincorporated and Unorganized U.S. Territory
American Samoa does not share the same political history as other non self-governing states as defined by the UN Decolonization Committee. Unlike other insular territories, American Samoa was not annexed by the United States as a result of war or conquest.
Instead, on April 17, 1900, the traditional Chiefs of Tutuila freely ceded the islands of Tutuila and Aunu'u to the United States. In 1904, the King and Chiefs of Manu'a freely ceded their islands. The U.S. Congress ratified these Cessions in 1929 (48 U.S.C. 1661).
Although the U.S. ratified the Deeds of Cession in 1929, the Ratification Act in 1929 contains no express will of Congress for an organized government for American Samoa but rather delegates its authority over the territory to the President or his designee. Title 48 U.S.C. Section 1661 (c) states:
"Until Congress shall provide for the government of such islands, all civil, judicial, and military powers shall be vested in such person or persons and shall be exercised in such manner as the President of the United States shall direct; and the President shall have power to remove said officers and fill the vacancies so occasioned." (emphasis added)
In 1951, President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 10264 which transferred administrative responsibility for the islands of American Samoa from the Secretary of the Navy to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. The transfer of administrative, judicial, and military authority from the Congress to the President has not been amended since 1929.
As such, American Samoa is considered an unorganized territory of the U.S. because Congress has yet to officially "organize" a government for Tutuila and Manu'a. American Samoa is considered unincorporated because according to Supreme Court decisions regarding the constitutional rights of insular territories, Congress has never intended to incorporate American Samoa as a State of the Union.
Additionally, the Territorial Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2) is very clear that Congress has plenary powers over any of the U.S. Territories including American Samoa. So, whether American Samoa decides to either amend certain provisions of the two Deeds of Cession or establish an entirely new agreement with the United States, the terms of such agreement would have to be approved by the U.S. Congress.
American Samoa's Political Status
I continue to remind the leaders of American Samoa, in order to move forward on the issue of political status, we must first look inward to resolve ambiguities in the two deeds of Cessions that form the basis of our relationship with the United States. As I gave in my testimony in 2006 before the American Samoa Political Status Commission hearing at BYU-Hawaii in Laie, there are several ambiguities in these documents that may frustrate any negotiations for an agreement with the United States in the future.
One source of ambiguity is that in the Samoan version of the Deeds, our chiefs consistently used the term feagaiga, which means treaty. To our Samoan chiefs this treaty relationship meant that Samoans would maintain a measure of autonomy. However, in the English version, the word "treaty" is never mentioned. Instead, the agreement is referred to as a "deed." The problem inherent in this ambiguity is that the term "deed" suggests ownership of property rather than a sense of the rights and privileges of a sovereign people. Therefore, a deed of Cession offers the people of American Samoa something less than the sovereign status that a treaty would provide.
Subsequently, while these two deeds have proven helpful in providing stability to the people of American Samoa for more than 100 years, they do not cover many of the most basic issues of concern for our people, such as citizenship, immigration, international trade and commerce, national security, marine and communal property rights, or membership in international organizations, etc.
Another source of ambiguity stems from the fact that the two deeds of Cessions were negotiated separately between the United States and Tutuila and Aunu'u in 1900, and with Manu'a in 1904. As such, there is no official declaration of a political union between the island groups of Tutuila, Aunu'u and Manu'a.
Therefore, in moving forward:
1. I suggest that the leaders of Tutuila, Aunu'u, Swains Island and Manu'a officially declare a union as one political entity or governing body, thereby sanctioning its authority to deal with the United States as we negotiate our future status.
2. I recommend that a territorial convention be called to deliberate on the existing political relationship with the United States. Subsequently, I believe that the American Samoa Government (ASG) must officially declare a statement of principles underlining the desire of the people of American Samoa to either amend certain provisions of the two deeds or establish an entirely new agreement with the United States. Such an agreement should define our political relationship with the United States, whether it is a "Covenant" status like the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, "Free Association" status like the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands, "Commonwealth" status like Puerto Rico, or even an Organic Act such as the one governing Guam's relationship with the United States.
3. Once we have defined what American Samoa's relationship should be with the United States under the terms of an agreement that is agreeable to both sides, ASG should then call a constitutional convention and organize a government based upon the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement, not the U.S. Constitution.
Until the leaders of Tutuila, Aunu'u, Swains and Manu'a have dealt with the issue of political status, we will continue to be subjects to the agreement under the deeds of Cessions. As it stands, we cannot claim loyalty to the United States and at the same time refuse to apply standards and protections that are required under federal laws.
The U.N. Decolonization Committee's Relationship with American Samoa
In the past, I have suggested that American Samoa stay on the list of colonized territories until our unincorporated and unorganized status was defined in a manner which included the views of the voters of American Samoa. On March 30, 2006, I asked Ambassador Bolton to clarify U.S. policy regarding American Samoa's status relating to the UN Special Committee of 24 (C-24), also known as the UN Decolonization Committee.
On November 2, 2006, Ambassador Bolton responded by stating:
"The C-24 has no authority to alter in any way the relationship between the United States and American Samoa and no mandate to engage the U.S. in negotiations on the status of American Samoa."
Having said this, he went on to explain that:
"By designating American Samoa as a non-self-governing territory under Chapter XI of the UN Charter in 1946, the U.S. voluntarily accepted several obligations under Article 73 of the Charter. Among these is the obligation to provide regularly to the UN 'statistical and other information of a technical nature relating to economic, social, and education conditions in the territory[y]...' The U.S. duly submits annual updates on American Samoa and the other U.S. Territories to the C-24 as a demonstration of our cooperation as an administering power under the UN Charter. The annual reports are also an opportunity to correct any errors in information the C-24 might have received from other sources."
However, Ambassador Bolton also noted that even though the "U.S. could, if it chose, cease reporting to the C-24 about American Samoa, this would not by itself cause the Committee to remove American Samoa from its list of non-self governing territories."
He went on to explain that:
"The UN General Assembly agreed in 1960 to a set of principles governing whether a territory is 'non-self governing.' The U.S. would have to provide the Committee with information showing that these principles were satisfied before the Committee would agree to 'de-list' American Samoa."
Given that the U.S. would have to satisfy certain requirements to 'de-list' American Samoa but knowing that the UN cannot alter the relationship between the U.S. and American Samoa, it should be understood that the UN is without any authority to amend or change any law or regulation that the United States provides for the administration of American Samoa as a U.S. Territory. This is also made clear in our history from 1960 forward.
The 1960 Territorial Constitution and Forward
Having already established that the Territorial Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2) is very clear that the U.S. Congress has plenary powers over any of the U.S. Territories including American Samoa, it is important to note American Samoa's political development since 1960.
In 1960, the people of American Samoa adopted a Constitution. The Constitution was revised in 1966 and was approved by the Secretary of the Interior on June 2, 1967. In 1967, the Revised Constitution of American Samoa provided for an elected Legislature, or Fono, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. However, it did not provide our people with the right to elect our own Governor and Lieutenant Governor. At the time, American Samoa was the only remaining insular area of the United States which did not have a popularly elected Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
On June 10, 1976, Congressman Phil Burton, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Interior and Insular Affairs, took notice of American Samoa's situation and introduced a bill to make it possible for our Governor and Lieutenant Governor to be popularly elected rather than appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. As staff counsel to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, Congressman Burton instructed me to draft this legislation which the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed by a landslide vote of 377 to 1.
Instead of sending his bill to the Senate, Congressman Burton decided to consult further with the Secretary of the Interior, Rogers C.B. Morton, about American Samoa's unique political status as an unincorporated and unorganized territory which was and is unlike the organized territories of Guam and the Virgin Islands. As a result of their consultations, the two agreed that Secretary Morton would issue a Secretarial Order (No. 3009) authorizing the American Samoa Government to pass enabling legislation to provide for an elected Governor and the Lieutenant Governor.
Secretary Morton's Order No. 3009 amended American Samoa's Constitution to specifically provide for an elected rather than an appointed Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Order 3009 was also in keeping with the will of the majority of voters in American Samoa who voted in favor of electing their own Governor and Lieutenant Governor in a plebiscite that was held on August 31, 1976.
Furthermore, Chairman Phil Burton introduced legislation on August 2, 1978 to provide that the Territory of American Samoa be represented by a nonvoting Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. Again, Chairman Burton instructed me to draft this legislation which became Public Law 95-556 and was made effective October 31, 1978.
Since this time, American Samoa has had representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. For those who refer to American Samoa's Delegate as a "non-voting Delegate," the portrayal is misleading. According to the Congressional Research Service, "in the 1970s, Delegates gained the right to be elected to standing committees (in the same manner as Members of the House) and to exercise in those committees the same powers and privileges as Members of the House, including the right to vote. Today, Delegates enjoy powers, rights, and responsibilities identical, in most respects, to those of House Members from the states. Like these Members, Delegates can speak, introduce bills and resolutions and offer amendments on the House floor; and they can speak, offer amendments and vote in House committees."
The only exception is the vote on the House Floor. Delegates from the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa cannot vote on the House Floor because none of these territories have yet achieved statehood. Nonetheless, Territorial Delegates can and do exercise the same powers and privileges identical in most respects to House Members from the states, and such was the case with minimum wage law.
U.S. Minimum Wage Law
In his statement submitted to the Committee of 24 before the United Nations Caribbean Seminar on the Eradication of Colonialism held in Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from May 31 to June 2, 2011, Governor Togiola states that minimum wage law was implemented "without local consultation, without appropriate studies, without due consideration of the uniqueness of Tutuila and Manu'a, and without taking into consideration our plea which was substantially better informed on the specific circumstances of our economy." "We were forced," he says, "into accepting a law that was seriously injurious to our economy and was sure to harm significantly our ability to make our way in the world economically."
On the contrary, for more than 55 years, American Samoa has been the backbone of the U.S. tuna fishing and processing industries. Today, the U.S. tuna processing industry includes three major brands of canned tuna – StarKist, Chicken of the Sea and Bumble Bee.
StarKist is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has more than 1,000 employees in the U.S. Territory of American Samoa. StarKist is a U.S. corporation and pays U.S. taxes. StarKist is also a subsidiary of the Dongwon Group, a leader in the food, beverage and fisheries industries in South Korea.
Chicken of the Sea is a subsidiary of Thai Union of Thailand, the world's largest producer of canned tuna. Chicken of the Sea has about 200 tuna cannery workers in Lyons, Georgia.
In 2004, Bumble Bee was sold off to Connors, a Canadian company, and in 2010 Bumble Bee was purchased by Lion Capital, a British private equity firm. Bumble Bee employs about 500 fish cleaners in the U.S. The bulk of Bumble Bee's fish cleaners are not U.S., but foreign workers employed in low-wage countries.
American Samoa's private sector economy had been nearly 80% dependent, either directly or indirectly, on two of the three major brands - StarKist and Chicken of the Sea - which until recently employed more than 74 percent of our private sector workforce.
On September 30, 2009, one day after American Samoa was struck by the world's most powerful earthquake which set off a tsunami that left untold damage and loss from which the Territory has not recovered, Chicken of the Sea closed down its operations in American Samoa, leaving more than 2,000 workers without jobs.
Chicken of the Sea left without the courtesy of discussing its departure either with myself or the Governor of American Samoa, although Samoan workers made Chicken of the Sea one of the most profitable brands of canned tuna in the U.S. Chicken of the Sea left for Lyons, Georgia where it now employs a skeletal crew of about 200 workers. Chicken of the Sea pays its workers in Georgia some $7.25 per hour, almost twice as much per hour as it ever paid Samoan cannery workers.
From 1954 forward, when Chicken of the Sea's then parent company, Van Camp, first arrived on American Samoa's shores, the company set about to suppress the wages of Samoan workers by demeaning their worth and work. In 1956, the company testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, urging consideration of legislation for the exemption of American Samoa from the wage and hour provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
Commenting on his company's desire to pay Samoan workers 27 cents per hour as opposed to the prevailing minimum wage rate of the time at $1 per hour, Chicken of the Sea's then parent company said:
"The Samoans are Polynesians. They are not American citizens."
About the women of American Samoa, the company said:
"[We] now employ 300 Samoans, mostly women…. [W]ages range from 27 cents per hour for the women who clean the fish to $1 per hour for 1 employee, who is a technician…. The difference in labor costs is attributed to the lower production output in Pago Pago, where we have found that it takes from 3 to 5 Samoans to produce what 1 stateside employee can produce."
Mr. Collins, legal counsel for Van Camp, put it this way:
"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."
Forgive me for pausing here but what company, in good conscience, would suppress wages in a U.S. Territory on the claim that the more than 300 Samoan women cleaning fish in American Samoa for 27 cents an hour were somehow inferior to the stateside employees being paid $1 per hour?
While some in American Samoa may not think this history matters, it does, especially when 55 years later, Chicken of the Sea shut its doors in American Samoa and immediately paid stateside workers in Lyons, Georgia twice as much as they were currently paying our women and men in American Samoa. Different year, same Chicken of the Sea.
This is the kind of prejudice and racism and gender inequality that workers in American Samoa have been dealing with for 55 years. And over the years, local government leaders were always being pressured not to increase the wages of cannery workers, or else the companies would leave the territory. This is why when there were occasional wage increases, they were as small as 2 cents or 3 cents per hour, even though since 1938 the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has applied to American Samoa.
After enactment of the FSLA, Industry Committees were established for American Samoa and other U.S. Territories for purposes of phasing low-wage industries in to the minimum statutory wage because the U.S. Congress believed that application of mainland minimum wage rates to territorial island industries would "cause serious dislocation in some insular industries and curtail employment opportunities."
While Industry Committees were phased out in other U.S. Territories which eventually paid their workers in accordance with mainland wages, from 1956-2006 minimum wage rates in American Samoa continued to be determined by Special Industry Committees, and ASG is on record voting to accept whatever the management and lawyers for these canneries felt wages for our cannery workers and other low-wage earners should be.
I am on record as voting to increase the wages of our lowest-paid workers because I believe that a Samoan is entitled to the same pay from the same corporation if he/she does the same work as any other man or woman born in any other part of America. Senator Borah of Idaho said it best in the heat of the 1937 Fair Labor Standards debate. He said it was his view that "whether North or South, East or West, there [is] a standard of American living, and we ought to recognize that and fix a minimum wage upon that basis."
Regrettably, ASG feels differently and has suggested to the UN that the U.S. federal government over-stepped by increasing minimum wage in American Samoa. This is not the case. American Samoa was given a free pass for 50 years. But when minimum wage was raised all across America in 2006, Congress determined that it was time to raise minimum wage in American Samoa and CNMI which were the only two remaining U.S. Territories which were not up to federal minimum wage standards, and I supported a one-time increase of $0.50 cents per hour. But because our cost of living is as high or higher than the mainland, minimum wage was increased by $0.50 cents per hour for a period of three years until the U.S. Congress, at my request, stopped further increases until additional study could be undertaken, given that there were never any comprehensive reports issued regarding the overall economy of the territory or costs of living.
Regarding minimum wage's impact on the tuna industry in the Territory, I would refer the C-24 to the 2010 report issued by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) which clearly showed that before minimum wage ever went into effect in American Samoa, our canneries were already operating at about a $7.5 million loss per year. Put another way, our tuna canneries were already in the hole not because of minimum wage increases but because the tuna industry itself has dramatically changed with Chicken of the Sea and Bumble Bee adopting a business model of outsourcing tuna preparation to cheap foreign labor and then bringing the almost finished product into small U.S. operations for final packaging. A cannery like StarKist that cleans whole fish in American Samoa simply cannot compete against canneries like Bumble Bee and Chicken of the Sea that buy loins from low-wage rate countries like Thailand that pay their fish cleaners $0.75 cents and less per hour.
So contrary to Governor Togiola's assertions, the primary factor for the collapse of our economy is not our wage rates but the wage rates of foreign countries and the global economic recession. Other factors that also impacted our tuna industry include higher fish costs, higher shipping costs, higher fuel costs, and better local tax incentives offered by Lyons, Georgia as well as Thailand.
It should also be noted that a new cannery, Tri-Marine, one of the world's largest fish trading companies, chose to invest in our Territory knowing that our wage rates have been increased by $1.50 per hour which undercuts Governor Togiola's argument that minimum wage increases have collapsed our tuna industry or led to ASG's fiscal failure.
In its 2011 report, the GAO openly admits that "it is difficult to distinguish between the effects of minimum wage increases and the effects of other factors, including the global recession beginning in 2009, fluctuations in energy prices, global trade liberalization." The GAO also reiterated that "American Samoa had lower income and higher poverty rates than the mainland US" and found that the 'average earnings of workers who maintained employment rose from 2006 to 2009, but available data show that the increase was not sufficient to overcome the increases in prices."
ASG remained largely unaffected by minimum wage increases because most of its employees earned more than $1.50 above the local minimum wage set for government workers in 2007, as the GAO stated.
American Samoa's Current Economic Status
As for the American Samoa Government's projected local shortfalls, the GAO also reported that 'local government spending exceeded revenues each year from 2005 to 2009.' The GAO showed that more than $240.8 million has been made available for ASG by the U.S. Congress through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and that $61.6 million had been disbursed at the time of the report.
The GAO also noted that American Samoa has been designated as a 'high-risk'grantee by the U.S. Department of the Interior as recommended by the Department's Inspector General and GAO. The GAO further noted that 'the office will remove this high-risk designation once the American Samoa Government demonstrates its compliance with certain fiscal and internal accounting requirements.'"
In private discussion groups, the GAO said 'private sector employees said they were concerned about the fiscal status of the local government and the possibility of harmful tax increases.' Private sector employees also 'generally opposed additional minimum wage increases but said that a number of other factors made it difficult to do business in American Samoa. For example, they said increased in prices of utilities, shipping, and raw materials; an outdated tax structure; low levels of investment; and business licensing problems also make it difficult to establish and do business in American Samoa."
Clearly, the issues facing American Samoa's economy are complex and neither minimum wage nor the U.S. federal government is the driving cause of ASG's trouble. More importantly, the U.S. is doing its part to help American Samoa, and the amount of federal funding and technical assistance to the Territory from the U.S. underscores this point. In fact, American Samoa continues to be the only State government that continues to receive funding from the U.S. Treasury for the operations of its local government.
Constitutional Convention of 2010
So, rather than asking the U.S. to work with the United Nations to move American Samoa forward "on a path to greater local autonomy, self governance, and economic development" as noted in the Governor's statement, it is my hope that the United Nations will uphold the U.S. position that "the C-24 has no authority to alter in any way the relationship between the United States and American Samoa and no mandate to engage the U.S. in negotiations on the status of American Samoa."
While I deeply appreciate the work the C-24 is doing to help those non-self-governing territories that were actually victimized by colonizers, any change in the relationship between the U.S. and American Samoa must be determined by the people of American Samoa and the United States and not the United Nations.
On June 18, 2010, the governor issued Executive Order No. 005-2010, calling for the Constitutional Convention of 2010, which was convened from June 21 and adjourned on July 2. Delegates to the convention, selected by their respective County Councils, considered and voted on proposed changes to the Revised Constitution of American Samoa of 1967. As a result, 39 amendments were put forth and approved by the Constitutional Convention. However, the voters in a referendum rejected the proposed amendments by a vote of 70.2% opposed to the amendments.
Among the 39 amendments in the referendum, one would stop the enforcement of any U.S. federal law which local officials believe would be detrimental to the territory. It would give the American Samoa Government the right to opt out of federal laws deemed harmful to the local community. While it passed the Convention by the narrowest of margin, I objected to the proposed changes as I believe they were inappropriate as well as unconstitutional under the U.S. Constitution and under the terms of our unique political relationship with the United States. Again, when the matter was put to the voters of American Samoa, 70.2% also objected to the proposed changes.
As I stated earlier, the leaders of Tutuila and Manu'a need to first set the parameters of our unique, political relationship with the United States, which should clearly define how federal laws apply to the territory. It is premature therefore to make changes to our relationship with the federal government when we have yet to fully review and resolve the issue of our two deeds of Cessions that provide the basis of our relationship with the United States.
I believe the voters of American Samoa agree and this is why they rejected what was put forward by the Convention. I believe our voters rejected these proposed changes because American Samoa has enjoyed a long and proud tradition of being part of the American family. Our sons and daughters have served in record numbers in every U.S. military engagement from WWII to present operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have stood with the U.S. for the past 111 years, and the people of American Samoa honor the sacrifices of our military men and women who have fought and died for the liberties which we cherish.
Faleomavaega concluded his letter by stating, "In honor of those sacrifices, I am requesting that my letter be made part of the C-24 record and I am hopeful that our territorial Legislature will also present its views on these important issues."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2011
Washington, D.C. - Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held hearing on Faleomavaega Seabed Mineral legislation
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a legislative hearing on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 to consider three bills - H.R. 2360 (Rep. Jeffrey Landry), H.R. 2752 (Rep. Bill Johnson), and H.R. 2803, his legislation on seabed minerals.
Witnesses included, for the first panel, Mr. Walter Cruickshank, Deputy Director of the Department of Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy, Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE), that testified on behalf of the Administration. He stated that the Administration would be very happy to work with the Subcommittee on Mr. Faleomavaega's proposal. The second panel, consisted of Mr. William W. Britain, President and CEO of EnergyNt.com, Inc., Mr. Joseph Orgeron, Montco Offshore, Inc., and Mr. Gavin Higgins, Vice President of Business Development for Derecktor Shipyards, provided testimony on the other bills.
Mr. Faleomavaega also submitted written testimony and other materials in support of his bill. His statement is inserted below.
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Holt:
Research has shown that there are commonly four categories of mineral resources in the deep seabed. The first group includes liquid and gaseous substance such as petroleum, gas, condensate, helium, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. The second group consists of minerals which occur under the seabed at depths greater than 9 ft (3 meters). The third group consists of ore-bearing silts and brines containing iron, zinc and copper and the fourth group includes useful minerals occurring on the surface of the seabed or at depths of less than 9 ft, including calcareous and siliceous oozes, and phosphorite and manganese nodules.
The focus of the proposed legislation, H.R. 2803, is on minerals other than gas and oil. These include deposits of polymetallic nodules, polymetallic sulphides, and cobalt-rich crusts that contain valuables minerals such as cobalt, nickel, copper, iron, lead, zinc, gold, silver and other metals. Research has shown that these deposits also include an abundance of supply of rare elements, which are increasingly used in modern applications including magnet, lasers, fiber optics, computer disk drives, fluorescent lamps, rechargeable batteries, catalytic converters, computer memory chips, X-ray tubes, high temperature superconductors and the liquid-crystal displays of televisions and computer monitors. As you may know, some ninety-five percent of the world's supply of these rare elements is controlled by China.
Summary of H.R. 2803
H.R. 2803 would require the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) to conduct an assessment of the seabed area around the U.S. continental shelf including areas that are contiguous to and within the 200 miles economic exclusive zones (EEZ) of the United States territories and possessions in the Pacific Region, for valuable minerals other than gas and oil.
In essence, it would ask BOEMRE to do three things. First, BOEMRE is to conduct a survey of available sites for the recovery of such minerals. Second, it is to perform an assessment of all available domestic technological capabilities required for their location and their efficient and environmentally sound recovery. Finally, the bill would require BOEMRE to carry out an economic feasibility study on the recovery of such minerals.
The Secretary of the Interior would submit the findings and recommendations in a report to Congress within two years. As a result of discussion with DOI, about $500,000 is appropriated to carry out the provisions of the proposed legislation for fiscal year 2012 and 2013.
Economic Worth of Seabed Mining
Studies have shown that within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Cook Islands, a group of 15 small islands in the South Pacific with a total landmass of around 240 square kilometers and a population of roughly 14,000 people, there are more than 16.5 trillion dry pounds of cobalt rich manganese nodules containing more than 70 billion pounds of cobalt, 60 billion pounds of nickel and 30 billion pounds of copper.
In the Independent State of Samoa, past deep sea mineral expeditions identified deposits of cobalt-rich crust within Samoa's Extended Economic Zone (EEZ). At the current price of about $41 per lb for cobalt, the potential value could be worth well over $100 billion.
But these aren't the only examples. Manganese nodules, typically rich in manganese and iron oxides, are known to also occur in EEZs' of Kiribati, Tuvalu and Niue, according to information provided by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community's Applied Geoscience and Technology Division (SOPAC).
Data from SOPAC also shows seafloor massive sulfide deposits (SMS) have higher mineral content compared to on-land deposits. In the case of copper, for example, on-land deposits have mineral content of 0.5% to 2% compared to 5% to 15% for SMS deposits. For zinc and lead, the mineral content for on-land deposits is between 5% and 20% compared to up to 50% for SMS deposits. Moreover, the typical value of one pound of land-based ore is about $50-$180 compared to about $800-$1500 for a pound of SMS ore.
In the U.S., the unrealized potential for economic benefit from seabed mining could be worth some hundreds of billions of dollars from harvesting important minerals such as cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, gold, lead and the rare earths. In a time when economic growth and job creation is needed for our nation, it is important for us to fully utilize our available resources in an efficient and responsible way, if not for now, for future generations.
U.S. involvement in Seabed Mining
It is ironic, therefore, that the United States, once considered a leader in the exploration and research of seabed mining, is gradually losing ground in the international community. In a recent article, The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. investment in seabed mineral exploration and research has diminished over the past two decades.
This decline in U.S. interest is highlighted by the fate of the deep seabed mining program at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). According to Project Chief James Hein, during the 1970s and '80s, research and development for deep seabed mining was considered "world class" and quite extensive in the United States, with a program that consisted of 12-13 full time equivalents (FTEs). During this time period, there was also a small amount of funding at the Bureau of Mines (now abolished) to complement work that was being done at the USGS.
Funding for deep seabed mining had also been authorized under the Marine Mineral Resources Research Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-325). Three Mineral Technology Centers were established including the Oceans Basins Division in Hawaii, which focused on, among other things, deep seabed characterization in the Pacific Basin and Rim region. The three centers were funded under the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (formerly the Minerals Management Service), but funding for the centers was discontinued in 1999.
Currently, funding status for U.S. programs relating to deep seabed mining is about one-half FTE-about $119,000/year. USGS programs have been carried out under the agency's Coastal Marine Geology Program.
Besides the lack of funding, another debilitating factor for seabed mining in the United States is the fact that Congress has not ratified the 1982 United Nation Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLS). As of now, the United States has only observer status.
International Community involvement in Seabed Mining
Meanwhile, countries such as China, Russia, Korea, and India have invested millions of dollars annually to fund deep seabed exploration and mining technology research and development. Governed under rules set by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), many of these countries have secured contracts with ISA to explore seabed mining in the five Areas identified as showing potential for rich deposits of ore.
Interestingly, of these five Areas, three are located within close proximity of U.S territorial waters including: the Clarion-Clipperton area in the Pacific Ocean (located between the U.S. coast and Hawaii); the Pacific area which is located in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around the Hawaiian Archipelago; and the South Pacific area. The other two are the Central Indian Ocean Basin and the Red Sea area. Together these five areas account for only two percent of the Earth's total seabed floor.
Just recently, ISA announced that it has approved four applications for exploratory contracts with authority in deep seabed areas. The four entities - Nauru Ocean Resources Inc., (NORI), Tonga Offshore Mining Limited (TOML), the China Ocean Minerals Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA), and the Russian Federation's Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment - have had their plans approved for the exploration of polymetallic nodules and polymetallic sulphides in the international deep seabed Area.
Seabed Mining in the Pacific Region
Representing American Samoa in the U.S. Congress, I am encouraged to know that there is tremendous potential for seabed mining in the Pacific Region. The enclosed report by SOPAC shows several sites in the Pacific Region that contain rich deposits of manganese, cobalt, copper, and other valuable minerals. Data shows the occurrence of manganese nodules, cobalt-rich crusts and seafloor massive sulfide deposits in the seabed surrounding neighboring Pacific Island countries like Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.
This bill will allow us the opportunity to identify available sites not only within the U.S. continental shelf, but also within our territorial waters.
The Congressman concluded by stating, "While I understand that the bill before you is not perfect, it is my hope to work with the Subcommittee to make any needed changes so that the United States may once again reassert itself as the leader in the exploration and discovery of seabed minerals.
I thank you again for your leadership and for the opportunity to submit my written testimony in support of H.R. 2803.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2011
Washington, D.C. - Faleomavaega thanks Chairman Fleming for agreeing to hold a hearing on the GAO's report regarding minimum wage
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he is publicly thanking Chairman John Fleming of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs for agreeing to his request to hold a hearing on the GAO's report entitled 'Employment, Earnings, and Status of Key Industries Since Minimum Wage Increases Began in American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.' Faleomavaega made the request of Chairman Fleming in a letter dated June 27, 2011 and the complete text of the letter is posted online at www.house.gov/faleomavaega.
"As a result of my request, the Subcommittee has informed my office that the hearing is tentatively scheduled for Friday, September 23, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. in the Longworth House Office Building, room to be determined," Faleomavaega said. "Because the number of witnesses will be limited, I have asked that Governor Togiola be invited to testify and that President Gaoteote and Speaker Savali be permitted to submit written testimony for the record, and the Subcommittee has agreed to these requests."
"In letters dated September 6, 2011, I have informed Governor Togiola, President Gaoteote and Speaker Savali of these developments and I also copied the Senators and Representatives. The Subcommittee will be sending out an official letter of invite to Governor Togiola in accordance with House procedures and my office has already forwarded instructions to the President and Speaker for submitting written testimony."
"The GAO and the U.S. Department of the Interior also will be invited to testify. My office has also been in very close contact with the House Committee on Education and the Workforce which has jurisdiction for making any legislative changes to the current law. Chairman Kline was very helpful when we successfully placed a hold on further increases last year until such time as the GAO could undertake further study, and I appreciate the help his staff has provided my office this year."
"I also appreciate the help and support of Chairman Doc Hastings of the Resources Committee who made it possible for our minimum wage legislation to proceed to the House Floor last year. As I explained then and now, I supported a one-time increase of $0.50 per hour for American Samoa's workers but opposed automatic escalator clauses that did not take into account American Samoa's fragile, island economy which has hinged for more than 50-years on a single-industry, namely the presence of two major tuna canneries - StarKist and Chicken of the Sea - that employed more than 74% of our private-sector workforce."
"In 2009, one day after American Samoa was hit by a powerful earthquake that set off a massive tsunami from which the Territory has not fully recovered, Chicken of the Sea closed its operations in American Samoa and outsourced some 2,000 jobs to its parent company in Thailand where fish cleaners are paid less than $0.75 cents per hour. In order to take advantage of U.S. duty-free laws, Chicken of the Sea then hired a skeletal crew of about 200 workers in Lyons, Georgia to can the pre-cleaned fish from Thailand."
"This new model of exploiting cheap labor in foreign countries has impacted StarKist's ability to stay competitive given that StarKist is the only major brand of canned tuna that continues to cook and clean fish in the U.S. In fact, in the GAO's 2010 report, it was determined that canneries like Bumble Bee and Chicken of the Sea which outsource fish cleaning jobs to our foreign competitors compete at about a $7.5 million per year advantage over StarKist which cooks and cleans its fish in American Samoa."
"As a result of StarKist's disadvantage in the U.S. marketplace, the company has been forced to lay off workers in American Samoa. Coupled with Chicken of the Sea's closure, American Samoa's economy has not been able to absorb the rapid minimum wage increases mandated by federal law. Also, due to American Samoa's remote location, limited land, and infrequent air and shipping services, it has been difficult to diversify American Samoa's economy but I have pledged to do what I can to halt further minimum wage increases in order to provide the American Samoa Government (ASG) with the time it needs to put an action plan in place, although I do not believe minimum wage is the sole cause of ASG's problems."
"In fact, the GAO openly admits that "it is difficult to distinguish between the effects of minimum wage increases and the effects of other factors, including the global recession beginning in 2009, fluctuations in energy prices, [and] global trade liberalization." The GAO also points out local factors that have worsened ASG's position."
"Also of note, Tri-Marine, one of the world's largest tuna supply companies, purchased the Chicken of the Sea facility and intends to open up a fully operational cannery in American Samoa, despite three minimum wage increases thus far. However, like StarKist, Tri-Marine will not be able to absorb further increases in the face of local and global challenges."
"Having said this, the GAO also found that in American Samoa the 'average earnings of workers who maintained employment rose from 2006 to 2009, but available data show that the increase was not sufficient to overcome the increases in prices.' In other words, our workers aren't earning enough to live, and I am deeply concerned by this outcome and also by the reiteration that American Samoa had lower income and higher poverty rates than the mainland US."
"Considering these factors and other complexities, I have asked my colleagues to work with us to address these challenges and I thank Chairman Fleming for beginning this process by holding a hearing on the GAO's recently released report. I look forward to working with him, Chairman Hastings, Chairman Kline and our Democratic Ranking Members as well as our local leaders in making sure we do all we can for our tuna cannery workers and the people of American Samoa," Faleomavaega concluded.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2011
Washington, D.C. - President Obama calls for a $447 billion jobs bill for working Americans
Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that a jobs bill proposal was delivered in President Obama's speech before the joint session of Congress last night, September 8, 2011. It is estimated that the President's proposed bill will provide about $447 billion in spending for various programs that are especially designed to put millions of Americans back to work.
The President wants to provide more jobs for teachers, construction workers, and military veterans through the proposed American Jobs Act (AJA). The proposal provides for tax cuts to help America's small businesses, while putting Americans back to work.
"Approximately, $25 billion in school infrastructure funds will be provided to modernize about 35,000 public schools, which includes priority for rural schools. Also, an additional $15 billion will be invested to rehabilitate and refurbish hundreds of thousands of vacant and foreclosed homes and businesses. And, $50 billion will be used to modernize our nation's roads, highways, bridges and other infrastructure development," Faleomavaega said.
"To help keep teachers working, $30 billion will be provided to help states prevent layoffs of up to 280,000 teachers. An additional, $5 billion will be invested to ensure police officers and firefighters will not lose their jobs."
"The AJA will also provide tax credits of up to $5,600 for businesses that hire unemployed veterans who have been looking for a job for more than six months and tax credits up to $9,600 for hiring unemployed workers with service-connected disabilities who have been looking for a job for more than six months."
"I will be working closely with my colleagues in the Congress to ensure that American Samoa will receive its fair share of benefits from this proposal. Now it is up to Congress to either reject the proposal or work with President Obama to get it passed. I am certain members of our Democratic Party are fully supportive of this important initiative by the President," concluded Faleomavaega.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2011
Washington, D.C. - Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resouces to hold hearing on Faleomavaega seabed mining legislation
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he is publicly thanking Chairman Doc Hastings, and Ranking Member Edward Markey of the Committee on Natural Resources, and Chairman Doug Lamborn of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, for agreeing to a hearing on his seabed mining legislation. The bill, H.R. 2806, would instruct the Department of Interior to conduct among other things, an inventory of the available technology and known sites for the recovery of minerals, other than gas and oil, from the sea floor of the U.S. continental shelf.
"As a result of the request I made to Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member Markey, a hearing is scheduled for September 13, at 10:00 am," Faleomavaega said.
"The potential benefit from seabed minerals could be worth some hundreds of billions of dollars from harvesting important minerals such as cobalt, nickel, and copper. In a time when our nation is going through tough economic times, it is important to make good use of all our available resources," Faleomavaega added.
"In addition, recent research revealed that the polymetallic nodules found on the sea floor may contain so called rare elements which are increasingly used in many applications including magnet, lasers, fiber optics, computer disk drives, fluorescent lamps, rechargeable batteries, catalytic converters, computer memory chips, X-ray tubes, high temperature superconductors and the liquid-crystal displays of televisions and computer monitors. Some ninety-five percent of the world's supply of these rare elements is controlled by China."
"It is disappointing therefore that it appears the U.S., once the leader in seabed exploration and mining, is lagging behind certain developed countries such as China, Russia, and India, which have given millions of dollars to develop technology and conduct research to further explore the sea floor.
"The bill I am introducing is just the first step for the United States to reengage in seabed mining, exploration and research. My hope is for the United States to once again reassert itself as the leader in the exploration and discovery of seabed minerals," Faleomavaega concluded.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2011
Washington, D.C. - American Samoa DHSS to receive $50,000 under Justice and Mental Health Collaboration program
Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) today made available $50,000 to the American Samoa Department of Health and Social Services (ASDHSS) through the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP).
The program, funded through the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act of 2004, which was reauthorized by Congress in 2008 (Public Law 110-416), aims to increase public safety and access to treatment services for those individuals with mental illness or mental health related substance use disorders by facilitating collaboration among the criminal justice, juvenile justice, and mental health and substance abuse treatment systems.
The ASDHSS applied for a planning grant and received the discretionary award which will be used to design a strategic, collaborative plan for the identification and treatment of system-involved individuals with mental illnesses or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. Key to the planning grant is the development of an effective collaboration representing support from all levels of government, justice, mental health and substance abuse treatment services, transportation, housing, advocates, consumers, victims, and family members. This collaboration will form the basis for a problem-solving model, or strategic plan, to intercept individuals in the system while promoting public safety.
"I am pleased to know that this program will assist the American Samoa Department of Human and Social Services in addressing this issue and set up a plan to effectively deliver these necessary services. Recent studies have pointed to the prevalence of mental illness among men and women entering jails. The rates, according to the Justice Center, are as great as three to six times higher than those found in the general population," Faleomavaega stated.
"I thank Attorney General Eric Holder and his team at the U.S. Department of Justice, and especially the Bureau of Justice Assistance, for making available these funds to assist local governments in promoting public safety and provide crucial services to mentally ill individuals who are involved with the criminal justice system," the Congressman stated.
"Last but not least, I commend ASDHSS Director Leilua Stevenson and her team for their leadership in this important area of public service. I am thankful that the JMHCP program will help system-involved individuals in American Samoa who deal with mental health issues and substance abuse. I am pleased that American Samoa has initiated this program and I am thankful that it will be a significant building block in our efforts regarding mental health, criminal justice, and public safety," Congressman Faleomavaega concluded.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8, 2011
Washington, D.C. - Faleomavaega congratulates Eli Ukuele Seumalo on pilot position with Hawaii Airlines
Congressman Faleomavaega today offered his congratulations to Mr. Eli Ukulele Seumalo who was recently selected for an airline pilot position with Hawaiian Airlines.
After a rigorous interview process with the commericial airline, Eli has been offered a position at 1st officer on the Airbus A330. He will begin flight training this week in Honolulu, followed by simulator training in the mainland and a probationary flying period.
Before beginning his 18 year career as a pilot, Eli set his sights on the profession as a young boy growing up in American Samoa. He was inspired mostly by his father, Ukulele Seumalo, now a retired Master Sargeant in the U.S. Air Force with 31 years of service. His father, a military veteran of the Vietnam War, Korean War and World War II, was also a flight crew member on Convair B-36's and Boeing B-52's in the Strategic Air Command.
Pursuing his dreams of becoming a pilot, Eli enrolled in Pilot Training at AeroMech Professional FlightTraining school in Scottsdale Arizona, where he earned his Private, Instrument Commercial and Multi-Engine Pilot Ratings. Since then, he has flown thousands of hours on domestic and international flights.
Eli has piloted for several companies including Desert Sky Aviation, Copperstate Air Service, Native Air (where he attained his Airline Transport Pilot Rating), Ryan International Airlines (where he attained his Flight Engineer rating), Swift Air Group, Polar Air Cargo, and most recently XOJet where he flew as Captain on a Citation X (CE-750). Although the Citation X has been the mainstay of Eli's career, he also holds five additional type ratings in the following aircraft: Jetstream 3100, Citation V, Citation VII, Boeing 737 and Boeing 747. Eli’s future aspirations are to make Captain and serve a long career with Hawaiian Airlines. He also hopes to be able to inspire our younger Samoans along the way.
Born and raised in the village of Vailoatai, American Samoa, Eli is the son of Ukulele Seumalo of Vailoatai and Ilalia Aiumu Seumalo of Pago Pago. He is a graduate of Leone Midkiff Elementary, Leone High School (1988), American Samoa Community College (1990), and a former member of the U.S. Army Reserve in 2nd Platoon Bravo Company 100th Battalion 442nd INF based in Tafuna. Mr. Seumalo is married to Christie Lynn Seumalo. They have one son, Atali'i, who is three years old.
"As American Samoa's representative in the U.S. Congress, I am sincerely proud of what Eli has accomplished in his past 18 years as a pilot and I congratulate him and his family today on his most recent achievement. As Eli begins his training this week in Honolulu, I have every confidence that he will continue to serve with excellence in his new endeavor. I am certain that as he continues to give his best effort in his new position, he will soon reach his ultimate goal of becoming Captain with Hawaiian Airlines," Faleomavaega added.
"I am also certain that as Eli progresses in his career, he will continue to be a shining example for our young Samoan men and women who have set their sights on accomplishing their dreams. Eli is a perfect model, and I wish him all the best in his career," Faleomavaega concluded.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2011
Washington, D.C. - American Samoa awarded over $8.3 million for substance abuse and mental health program
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded $8,304,000.00 to American Samoa Government under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act) to support the Screening, Brief Intervention and, Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program in the territory.
The award will help establish American Samoa's O le Alofa SBIRT system of services provided in thirteen public and community-based health settings throughout the territory. Strategically, the approach is to establish an integrated system of early detection and intervention to prevent or reduce behavioral health disorders among adults in the territory. The goal is to reach 80-90 percent of the total adult population or about 53,200 screenings conducted over 5 years.
The award is in line with Congress' intent and with President Obama's policy goal under the Affordable Care Act for effective and cost efficient programs to mitigate the rising cost of health care. One of these programs is SBIRT, which has already been established in 17 other states including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.
According to information from SAMHSA, SBIRT is a proactive approach to providing early identification of high risk of substance abuse and providing them with early intervention and treatment opportunities. These programs have shown that they can significantly reduce substance abuse and promote prevention in a very effective and cost efficient way.
"I want to thank Secretary Sebelius and SAMHSA Administrator Pamela Hyde for this funding to provide critical support for substance abuse and mental health services in American Samoa," Faleomavaega said.
"I also want to congratulate Governor Togiola and the American Samoa Government on this wonderful news. I especially want to commend the leadership of Director Leilua Stevenson and staff of the American Samoa Department of Human and Social Services for all their hard work," Faleomavaega said.
"I am very pleased to receive this great news. In a time when the nation's economy is a high priority with some Federal programs facing reduction in funding or elimination, the significant amount awarded to our territory underscores the Federal government's commitment to provide assistance and critical resources to support the people of American Samoa," Faleomavaega concluded.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2011
Washington, D.C. - American Samoa to receive $92,251 in Federal funds under Residential Substance Abuse Treatment For State Prisoners program
Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) has made available $92,251 to the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency through the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Program. By authority granted by Congress under 42 U.S.C. 3796ff-1(e), the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the USDOJ awards RSAT grants to states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories based on a predetermined formula.
The goal of the RSAT Program is to break the cycle of drugs and violence by reducing the demand for, use, and trafficking of illegal drugs. Administered by USDOJ's Bureau of Justice Assistance, RSAT enhances the capability of states and units of local government to provide residential substance abuse treatment for incarcerated inmates; prepares offenders for their reintegration into their home communities by incorporating reentry planning activities; and assists offenders and their communities through the reentry process through the delivery of community-based treatment and other broad-based aftercare services.
The American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency may use the RSAT funds to implement up to three types of programs: residential, jail-based, and aftercare. At least ten percent of the total allocation for FY 2011 will be made available to local correctional and detention facilities for either residential or jail-based substance abuse treatment programs.
"I thank Attorney General Eric H. Holder and his team at the U.S. Department of Justice for making available these funds to assist local governments in breaking the cycle of drugs and violence through comprehensive treatment programs," Faleomavaega stated.
"I am pleased to know that this program will assist the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency in delivering these crucial services through RSAT. More importantly, I am thankful that the RSAT program will help the incarcerated members of our community move one step towards a new beginning, equipping them with the tools that will help them to successfully rebuild and reunite with their families," Congressman Faleomavaega stated.
"It is my hope that the RSAT program funding will enhance the admirable efforts in American Samoa to maintain justice and eradicate the drugs and violence that have increasingly plagued our Samoan families and community. I also thank and commend our local leaders and public servants who administer justice on a day-to-day basis. Thank you for your tireless efforts and dedication to further this noble cause," the Congressman concluded.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2011
Washington, D.C. - Faleomavaega welcomes a Fono hearing on proposed draft US National immigration bill
Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that he welcomes a hearing in both the Senate and House to discuss the issues underlying the immigration draft bill that he recently shared with both the Governor and members of the Fono.
"I had a personal conversation with the President of the Senate Gaoteote Tofau Palaie early this week concerning the matter, and I told him I look forward to an opportunity to testify before the Senate. Although I have not heard from Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, I hope a similar opportunity to testify will be allowed by the leadership and members of the House," Faleomavaega said.
"Without question, immigration has always been a sensitive issue and a very important matter for our residents in American Samoa. And as President Gaoteote mentioned, this is not a new issue. But it is time that the ASG addresses this matter because there are many loose ends with our immigration laws in American Samoa," Faleomavaega added.
"I can assure Senators Galea'i, Alo, Lualemaga, Fonoti and Lemanu that this draft legislation will not move forward unless it has the support of both our leaders and the people of American Samoa," Faleomavaega said.
"I think there is a misunderstanding in that just because a proposed draft bill has been presented before our people and our leaders, the bill is going to become law overnight. On the contrary, we have a long ways to go. The purpose of sharing the draft bill was to initiate discussion as part of the legislative process, and to also give our community leaders and people an opportunity to present their ideas and thoughts and offer suggestions on how our immigration laws can be improved. One possible option is to place the matter before the people to vote in a form of a referendum at next year's general election," Faleomavaega explained.
"This matter is about more than foreign residents becoming US Nationals, because as a US territory, American Samoa does not have the authority to grant US National status to anyone living in the territory. Only the US Congress can do this, and as such, it requires a change in the federal law. However, unlike all other US territories, American Samoa is the only jurisdiction under US sovereignty that can enact its own immigration laws without federal intervention," Faleomavaega said.
"It should be noted that the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) was confronted with serious problems in its own immigration laws and policies, and after several investigations, Congress passed a federal law to include CNMI under the umbrella of US immigration laws and requirements," Faleomavaega explained.
"In the years to come, will American Samoa fall into the same situation as CNMI? I do not know, but in my opinion, our current local immigration laws need to be reviewed and analyzed thoroughly. The Fono can play a very critical and important part in the reform of our local immigration laws by conducting oversight hearings on the current status of our own immigration laws," Faleomavaega added.
"Another misunderstanding is that the proposed bill will result in a flood of immigration to American Samoa. Even if the proposed bill passes the US Congress, the ASG will still have full control over who is allowed to enter and legally reside in American Samoa. The proposed bill will only affect persons that, currently, are legally residing in American Samoa, and will not apply to future immigrants to the territory."
"Some may ask the question, Why is the immigration issue so critically important right now? My answer is because it is directly tied to American Samoa's overall economic situation," Faleomavaega said.
"According to the GAO report, the ASG Immigration Office reported, as of March 2010, some 34,874 foreign nationals live in American Samoa. Of that number, approximately 20,282 or 58 percent were part of American Samoa's workforce. All these people live and work in American Samoa because our local immigration laws and policies allow them to do so," Faleomavaega explained.
"On one hand an argument can be made that immigrants are a benefit to the economy. Foreign nationals buy food, clothes and other goods while living in American Samoa. In the United States and other countries throughout the world immigrants have contributed to the economy and diversity of the society. On the other hand an argument can be made that foreign nationals are hindering the growth of our economy by taking jobs that would normally be taken by natural born citizens."
"Additionally, remittances sent back to the home country deprive American Samoa of valuable funds. It is estimated that in 2010 Filipino workers sent back $18.7 billion in remittances to the Philippines. There are 2500 Filipino workers in American Samoa, and it is not a stretch to argue that good portions of their wages are part of the $18.7 billion in remittances sent back to Philippines. Similarly, in 2010 alone, it is estimated that about $128 million in remittances were received by the Independent State of Samoa from families living abroad. Based on this number, it is quite possible that about $32 million in remittances to the Independent State of Samoa could be from families living in American Samoa," Faleomavaega said.
"Is the presence of foreign workers good or bad? For instance, according to the ASG Immigration Office, as of March 31, 2010, there are 17,088 aliens residing in American Samoa with P5 classifications, which are primarily domestic or agricultural workers, and they must reside with and engage in domestic or agricultural work for their sponsors. Does this mean there are not enough American Samoan workers willing to do domestic or agricultural work?"
"Similarly, there are 2,921 aliens in American Samoa with P4 classifications, which are for members of the professions or persons of exceptional skills in the sciences or the arts. Does this mean there are not enough trained or qualified American Samoan workers in the territory in these professions?"
"How many foreign nationals are involved in the territory's retail businesses? In my opinion, approximately 90-percent of the entire retail businesses now in the territory are controlled by foreign nationals, and how much of their profits leave the territory? How does this impact our territory's economy? For the foreign nationals who have worked in the territory for twenty years or more, what have their contributions been to the territory's economy? These are just a few questions that I would like to discuss with our Fono sometime next month," Faleomavaega concluded.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2011
Washington, D.C. - FEMA to provide over $50 million to rebuild power plant in Satala
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is awarding $6.6 million to American Samoa Power Authority's (ASPA) to fund its preliminary plans to replace the Satala Power Generation Facility (Plant). This initial amount covers funding for the architect/engineer, and tie-line/feeder replacement and/or modifications. According to FEMA, once preliminary plans are submitted and FEMA has completed an Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) review, the remainder of the over $50 million project will be awarded.
The tragic events of the earthquake and tsunami that struck American Samoa on September 29, 2009 caused considerable damage to the Satala Power Plant electro-mechanical systems. Findings from the ensuing inspection revealed that salt water rendered irreparable damage to most of the electrical power generation on the Plant site and much of the associated mechanical equipment. ASPA estimated that it would cost around $50 million to fully replace the Plant, including but not limited to the replacement of the building, 23 megawatts of generating equipment (diesel generator sets), switch gear, transformers, radiators, tie-lines, and fuel tanks.
"I want to thank Chairman Asaua Fuimaono and the ASPA Board for their leadership on this important project. Because we don't have a national grid to rely on for backup in the event of a power failure, rebuilding the Satala Plant to be fully functional is very critical to ensure that we have a stable and reliable system in place," Faleomavaega said.
"This award also demonstrates the hard work and dedication of the ASPA staff. I especially want to congratulate Chief Executive Officer Andra Samoa for all her efforts and advocacy on this project," Faleomavaega said.
"Finally, I want to commend FEMA, especially Regional Administrator of Region IX, Nancy Ward, for all the assistance provided to American Samoa in our recovery from the tragic events and devastation of September 2009," Faleomavaega added.
"The tsunami of 2009 has left an indelible mark on American Samoa. And as we move forward on this long road to recovery, I am pleased that the federal government continues to provide critical funding and resources to help us along the way," Faleomavaega concluded.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2011
Washington, D.C. - Faleomavaega requests suggestions on Bill to extend U.S. National Status to long time American Samoa residents
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has requested the Governor and the Fono for suggestions on legislation he is considering. The proposed bill will amend the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) to allow certain long time residents of American Samoa to apply for U.S. national status. The complete text of Faleomavaega's letter to Governor Togiola, Speaker Savali and President Gaoteote, which was also copied to the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Senators and Representatives, is included below.
I am writing to inform you of legislation that I am considering to amend the United States Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The proposed legislation will redefine U.S. national to include certain residents of American Samoa. The goal is to provide U.S. national status to not only the residents of American Samoa for 20 or more years but also to students and persons who are married to U.S. nationals.
Under the current law, only those born in American Samoa or have a parent who was born in American Samoa are eligible to become U.S. nationals. This does not do justice to some 4000 long time residents that have been living continuously in American Samoa for 20 years or more, paid taxes to the American Samoa Government, donated to their churches, and contributed to American Samoa society in many ways. Yet, despite their contributions, they remain without the benefit of U.S. national status.
The bill I am considering is the legislative fix. It will grant U.S. national status to 3 categories of long time residents in American Samoa: 1) Any person who has continuously lived in American Samoa since the age of 5 years or under and has graduated from high school; 2) Any person who has been legally married to a U.S. national, and has continuously resided in American Samoa, for at least 10 years; and 3) Any person who has been physically and legally present in American Samoa for a continuous period of at least 20 years.
In addition, there are several other key provisions:
5-year cutoff period
There is a five year cutoff date, which will allow only people who resided in American Samoa 5 years prior to the enactment of the bill to qualify for U.S. national status. For example, if the bill is signed into law in 2011 only those who were residing in American Samoa prior to 2006 will qualify to become U.S. nationals. The purpose is to avoid an influx to American Samoa of people seeking to take advantage of the proposed bill.
Good moral character requirement
The good moral character requirement is to ensure that the person applying to become a U.S. national has not committed any serious crimes during their continuous residence in American Samoa. This is in accordance with the INA and it prevents against any convicted felons and of other serious crimes from gaining U.S. national status.
Lawfully admitted and continuous residency requirement
The policy is to provide U.S. national status only to those who have remained in American Samoa without interruption. Exceptions are provided in cases when the person must leave American Samoa because of health treatment or other health related issues. In addition, an exception is provided in the case when a person must leave American Samoa to attend school or for official travel to attend forums or seminars.
Construction provision
The construction provision is to ensure that nothing in the proposed bill will alter the authority of the American Samoa Government to control its own immigration laws and procedures.
I have enclosed a copy of the draft bill and will welcome any suggestion you might have on the matter. I have also provided a document with a section by section analysis of the provisions of the bill.
The Congressman concluded his letter by stating, "I thank you for your support and I look forward to working together on this legislation."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2011
Washington, D.C. - Faleomavaega announces more than $1 million in HUD Grant Funds available for American Samoa
Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that $1,485,137 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grants, and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program has been made available to American Samoa from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Within the funds made available, American Samoa will receive:
Community Development Block Grants
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at HUD.
CDBG is an important tool that helps local governments tackle serious challenges facing their communities. A grantee must develop and follow a detailed plan that provides for and encourages citizen participation. This integral process emphasizes participation by persons of low or moderate income, and particularly residents of areas in which the grantee proposes to use CDBG funds. The plan must provide citizens with the following: reasonable and timely access to local meetings; an opportunity to review proposed activities and program performance; provide for timely written answers to written complaints and grievances.
Over a 1, 2, or 3-year period, as selected by the grantee, not less than 70 percent of CDBG funds must be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons. In addition, each activity must meet one of the following national objectives for the program: benefit low- and moderate-income persons, prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or address urgent community development needs related to serious or immediate threats to the health or welfare of communities that lack access to other funding sources.
Emergency Shelter Grants
The Emergency Shelter Grants program provides basic shelter and essential supportive services for the homeless as well as homeless prevention assistance to persons at imminent risk of losing their own housing due to eviction, foreclosure, or utility shutoffs. It can assist with the operational costs of the shelter facility, and for the administration of the grant.
Grantees, which are state governments, large cities, urban counties, and U.S. territories, receive ESG grants and make these funds available to eligible recipients, which can be either local government agencies or private nonprofit organizations.
ESG funds are available for the rehabilitation or remodeling of a building used as a new shelter, operations and maintenance of the facility, essential supportive services (i.e., case management, physical and mental health treatment, substance abuse counseling, childcare, etc.), homeless prevention, and grant administration.
HOME Investment Program
The HOME Investment Program is the largest Federal block grant to State and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households. Each year the HOME Program allocates approximately $2 billion to the States and hundreds of localities nationwide. The program was designed to reinforce several important values and principles of community development.
Of particular importance to American Samoa is HOME's flexibility. This principle empowers people and communities to design and implement strategies tailored to their own needs and priorities. HOME also provides formula grants that communities often use in partnership with local nonprofit groups to fund a wide range of activities such as rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership and providing direct rental assistance to low-income people. Also to note is HOME's emphasis on consolidated planning which expands and strengthens partnerships among all levels of government and the private sector.
HOME funds are awarded annually as formula grants to participating jurisdictions. HUD establishes HOME Investment Trust Funds for each grantee, providing a line of credit that the jurisdiction may draw upon as needed. The program's flexibility allows States and local governments to use HOME funds for grants, direct loans, loan guarantees or other forms of credit enhancement, or rental assistance or security deposits.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues in Congress and President Obama for securing funding for these essential community programs. I would also like to commend HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan for his commitment to strengthening our communities through effective implementation and continuation of these grants," Faleomavaega stated.
"I also would like to thank our local community leaders' efforts in serving our communities on the grass roots level. These funds are meaningless without dedicated servants to go out into the field and implement quality programs and services. Thank you for your hard work and service to our people," the Congressman concluded.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2011
Washington, D.C. - Faleomavaega seeks DOI position on Swains Island
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has requested assistance from the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) to determine the full nature of the relationship between the United States and the U.S. Territory of Swains Island.
The complete text of Faleomavaega's letter of July 6, 2011 to Secretary Salazar, which was also copied to Assistance Secretary Tony Babauta, and the Swains Island Delegate to the Fono, Su'a Alex Jennings, is inserted below.
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I am writing to respectfully request your assistance to determine the full nature of the relationship between the United States and the U.S. Territory of Swains Island, in particular, the Administration's position with respect to federal funding.
Swains Island, which is privately-owned, was officially annexed on 4 March 1925 and made part of American Samoa "under the jurisdiction of the administrators and judicial authorities of the government established therein by the United States" (48 U.S.C. 1662). Subsequently, Swains Island was placed under the administration of the American Samoa Government (ASG) four years later when, on 20 February 1929, the U.S. Congress officially accepted and ratified American Samoa's two treaties of cession. Under the terms of the ensuing ratifying Act, civil, judicial and administrative jurisdictions over American Samoa, including Swains Island, were vested with the Executive Branch - the said authority currently resides with the Department of Interior (DOI).
The outcome of such arrangement can be best described as very complicated and ambiguous. Indeed, I am not aware of any federal assistance for Swains Island other than allocated funds in the American Samoa Government (ASG) budget. For these reasons, I am hoping you can share DOI's position regarding federal assistance and the overall nature of our relationship with Swains Island.
Based on available information, Swains Island's current political status is closely linked to the claim of ownership by the American Sea Captain Eli Jennings and his descendents, which dates back to the 1850's. Since that time, ownership of the island passed to various members of the Jennings family through inheritance, albeit sometimes amid disputes with other claimants. During this time, there was also some question about whether the island would be better affiliated with American Samoa, the Independent State of Samoa, or with the other three atolls (Fakaofo, Nukunonu, and Atafa) that make up the Tokelau Islands Group. Historically and traditionally, Swains Island was part of the Tokelau group.
In 1924, Secretary of State Charles Hughes concluded that the status of Swains Island, so far as the jurisdiction of the United States is concerned cannot be accurately defined. The resulting resolution signed by President Calvin Coolidge on March 4, 1925, provides that:
When Congress officially ratified the two deeds of cessions for American Samoa four years later, it also delegated administrative responsibilities to the Executive Branch and that eventually became vested with DOI. And as the agency primarily responsible for federal assistance to ASG, I respectfully request your assistance to shed light on the Administration's position with respect to Swains Island.
The Congressman concluded his letter by stating, "Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated and I look forward to your response."
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