The House and Senate yesterday approved a concurrent resolution congratulating the American Samoa’s Special Olympics Committee, athletes, coaches and team doctors for the successful representation of American Samoa at the recent Special Olympics World Summer games 2015 in Los Angeles, California.

The resolution says that news has come out of LA that Team American Samoa was a very good ambassador for the territory. The families and supportive American Samoa fans were enthusiastic and accommodating to all the different countries athletes. “So much so as to prompt world famous sports television channel ESPN to request to do a feature piece on Justin Lutu, one of the athletes.”

That request was made unbeknownst to everyone that Justin would win the gold medal in the 100m men’s run. The resolution say the next Special Olympics Winter Games will be held in Austin in 2017, and although American Samoa does not engage in winter sports, it is encouraged that the American Samoa Special Olympics Committee considers broadening its development and sports opportunities.

The resolution notes that there may be American Samoa families in the US and around the world who have family members with intellectual disabilities who engage in winter sports in social settings. They are potential athletes for the 2017 Winter Games.

Working to bridge that gap can field a team to the 2017 games. The resolution also commended Senator Afoa M. Lutu and Representative Larry Sanitoa for their presence and support of our team at the Games.