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Eni hosts History Day delegation at annual ceremony

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Congressman Faleomavaega hosted a group of 26 students, teachers, and family members of the American Samoa National History Day Delegation in attending the annual King Kamehameha Lei Draping Ceremony in the U.S. Capitol, prior to the local delegation preparing for the national history competition.

 

The group arrived at the Congressman’s Washington D.C. office on Sunday morning where they enjoyed lunch as well as a Q&A with the Congressman and staff members. Faleomavaega then escorted the delegation to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives where they took their seats in the House Chamber and sang a few traditional Samoan songs with him. 

 

The Congressman then led the group on a tour of the U.S. Capitol Rotunda as they made their way to the King Kamehameha Lei Draping Ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center’s Emancipation Hall. Authorized by a joint Congressional resolution and organized by the Hawai‘i State Society, this year’s event paid a special tribute to the late Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawai‘i.

 

The National History Day delegation took their seats alongside the Hawaiian and Samoan communities represented at the ceremony, as well as members of the Hawai’i State Congressional Delegation, including Senator Mazie Hirono, Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa, and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who is of American Samoa descent.

 

In the spirit of the ceremony, Faleomavaega and the National History Day delegation presented a 60-foot ‘ula lau maile on behalf of the people of American Samoa, which was draped on the statue of King Kamehameha. Although he is not an official member of the Hawai‘i State Congressional Delegation, Faleomavaega has been invited almost every year since he was elected to Congress. 

 

Standing in the shadow of the statue of King Kamehameha I, the Congressman honored his legacy as one of the greatest Polynesian warrior-kings and acknowledged his significance as well to the Samoan people. He also paid a special tribute to a special friend and colleague, the late Senator from Hawai‘i, Daniel K. Inouye, who was known as “Fofoga o Samoa” for being a voice for the people of American Samoa. Senator Inouye passed away in December 2012 after a half century of leadership in the U.S. Senate.

 

Following the ceremony, the National History Day delegation posed for photographs in the U.S. Capitol before they departed, to begin preparations for this year’s national competition. 

 

This year’s participants were selected among local participants in American Samoa for their exemplary research presentations based on an annual theme related to historical topics. This week they will compete in the Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest at the University of Maryland at College Park, where the best National History Day projects from across United States, American Samoa, Guam, International Schools and Department of Defense Schools in Europe all meet and compete.

 

“I would like to extend my congratulations to all of our students from American Samoa who were selected to compete in this year’s National History Day Contest. I am proud of all of our students’ participation and the creativity and thought they have invested into their historical research projects. I know that the skills they have learned through this program will enhance their learning and academic enrichment throughout their educational journeys. I thank them for representing American Samoa admirably,” Congressman Faleomavaega stated.

 

 “I also thank all of our teachers, administrators, and family members who accompanied the students as chaperones and advisors on their trip. The support of educational mentors and family members is crucial to our students’ success as they take this experience back to American Samoa,” the Congressman added.

 

In an update: Samoa News has been told via telephone contact with a parent in the local History delegation that two of our American Samoa students, Gabrielle Langkilde and Crisdel Aguila, working on a joint project, have made it to the final round of the National History Day contest, where they are competing against 13 other finalists. Results should be available tomorrow.

 

National History Day American Samoa Delegation

 

Students:

 

•               Allison Fitisone

•                

•               Marcella Fitisone

•                

•               Louisa Faulkner

•                

•               Mika Aga

•                

•               Gabrielle Langkilde

•                

•               Crisdel Aguila

•                

•               Manalei Siliga

•                

•               Madelynn Faumuina

•                

•               Griselda Toma

•                

•               Ryan deSaulles

•                

Leaders/Teachers:

 

•               Iuli A. Godinet (ASHC President)

•                

•               Leutuva Fata Tolai (ASHC Staff)

•                

•               Pete Tui

•                

•               Saofetalai Faulkner

•                

•               Calvin Berquist

•                

•               Gwen T. Langkilde

•                

•               Pamata VonDinklage

•                

•               Maureen deSaulles

•                

Parents/Family:

 

•               Richard deSaulles

•                

•               Victor Langkilde

•                

•               Carla Aguila

•                

•               Fidel Aguila

•                

•               Lokeni Lokeni

•                

•               Cristine Aguila

•                

•               Ethan Langkilde

•                

•               Joseph Langkilde

•