WASHINGTON, D.C — Congressman Faleomavaega hosted participants from the Boys and Girls Club of American Samoa (BGCAS) who were in Washington, D.C. as part of a partnership program with the Close Up Foundation. The group included 10 students ranging from 7th grade through high school and three chaperones.

The 10 students from American Samoa joined approximately 200 students representing over 20 Boys and Girls Clubs from across the nation during last week’s program with Close Up in Washington, D.C. 

The program is a national partnership between the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Close Up that serves military connected youth who participate in Boys and Girls Clubs.  Each participating student must either have a parent in the military or a military sponsor.

The group arrived in the morning for their meeting with the Congressman, followed by lunch and a tour of the U.S. Capitol.  Gathered in the Congressman’s office the students shared their educational interests and plans for the future.  They asked the Congressman many questions on topics ranging from the recent election in American Samoa to the responsibilities of Members of Congress. 

After lunch, the Congressman personally led the group to the Chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives, where the students took their seats in the House Gallery and observed the Members deliberate on the House Floor. 

The group’s visit coincided with the presentation of two floor statements offered by Congressman Faleomavaega before the House, including his statement in support of his original bill, H.R. 5934, the Stop Tobacco Smuggling in the Territories Act of 2012 which coincidentally passed the House today, as well as his statement in support of H.R. 6116, a bill authored by U.S. Virgin Island’s Representative, Congresswoman Donna Christensen.

Following their Gallery visit, Congressman Faleomavaega and the students gathered for a photo-op on the Capitol steps where they were joined by Faleomavaega’s long-time friend and colleague, Congressman Mike Honda of California.

The group was later led by the Congressman’s staff on a tour of the U.S. Capitol, including the Capitol Visitors Center, the Crypt of the U.S. Capitol, the Capitol Rotunda, and the National Statuary Hall. 

“I thank our students for their commitment to their educational success as evident by their participation in this unique program. I also thank them for representing American Samoa with the utmost excellence and for sharing their inquisitive questions and dialogue with me in my Washington office,” Congressman Faleomavaega stated.  

“I also want to thank their chaperones, Kathryn McCutchan, Eucharist Reupena, and Leilua Stevenson for their support of the Boys and Girls Club mission and for their leadership and example towards our young people.  Lastly I’d like to thank the Close Up Foundation for hosting the group and allowing my office to be a part of their ‘living classroom’ in Washington experience.”

The Congressman added, “In August 2012, under the leadership of American Samoa’s First Lady Mary Ann Tulafono, the Boys and Girls Club of American Samoa opened, joining over 3,900 Boys and Girls Clubs across the United States. For her remarkable leadership, I also want to express my deep gratitude to the First Lady and her staff for the extraordinary success they have achieved in such a short time.”

The following is a list of students and chaperones who visited the Congressman’s Washington, D.C. office.

Boys and Girls Clubs Participants:

1.                  Moeisogi Tupua (Kanana Fou)

2.                  Salumalo Savusa (Tafuna)

3.                  Robina Tisa De Franca (Samoana)

4.                  Etuale Satele (Tafuna)

5.                  Tauamo Fe’a (Tafuna)

6.                  Fa’atupu Amisone (South Pacific Academy)

7.                  Paul Fuimaono (South Pacific Academy)

8.                  Duncan Sevaaetasi (Coleman Elementary)

9.                  Tuilei Scanlan (Samoa Baptist Academy)

10.              Talalelei Ames (Lupelele Elementary)

Chaperones:

1.                  Kathryn McCutchan

2.                  Eucharist Reupena

3.                  Leilua Stevenson

Source: Faleomavaega's office