A Member of Congress has many roles, including legislating, overseeing the operation of the Federal Government’s Executive Branch and tackling constituent problems. There is also an important ceremonial role and that is what I want to address today.

Having grown up in a family led by a famous father, I know what it is like to be near the spotlight. I did not seek this congressional seat to have a spotlight shine on me but it comes with the job and I intend to make use of it to showcase our people whenever I can. When I accept invitations to attend events that are ceremonial in nature, I will be there on your behalf, just as I am performing other duties in Congress as your representative in Congress.  I view it an honor to be invited to any event of significance and an opportunity to help shine a spotlight on the person or group being honored.

In the past two years during the month of May, which annually is both National Military Appreciation Month and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I have visited many military bases around the country to thank our Samoan active and retired military communities for their service to our country. I very much also had wanted to participate in our Veterans Day Observances here last month but had to be in Washington for organizational meetings for the 114th Congress that I am joining in January.

However, my trip to Washington did give me the opportunity to participate in three military activities that helps me today to shine a little spotlight on them.

I broke away from my Washington meetings just long enough to make a short trip to Pittsburgh at the invitation of the Troy and Theodora Polamalu Foundation for their annual charity auction. The theme of the program was a thank you to our military veterans and High Chief Pulu, a veteran himself who accompanied me to Pittsburgh, took the stage with the other veterans in the audience to proudly wave the American Flag while the tribute was paid to the group, as those of us in the ballroom cheered them on.