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Amata honors veterans on anniversary of Victory in the Pacific in World War II

Amata meets with Veterans
Source: Office of the Congresswoman

Pago Pago — Friday, Sept. 1, 2018 - Congresswoman Aumua Amata released the following statement in honor of our Veterans for the 73rd Anniversary of V-J Day:

 “On September 2, 1945, the world celebrated the end of World War II, and the Allied forces celebrated victory over Imperial Japan with a document signed on the battleship U.S.S. Missouri. This historic occasion will be marked with a special ceremony in our nation’s capital.

Veterans of World War II will place wreaths at the National World War II Memorial’s Freedom Wall in remembrance of the 400,000 Americans and millions throughout the world who lost their lives in World War II.

 “This day is another stirring reminder of the great trust we place in our Armed Forces. It’s a day to honor all our Veterans and Service Members, while specially remembering those who gave so much in the 1940’s to secure our freedoms. They left the world a better place, and Japan became a staunch ally and friend in the cause of freedom, peace, stability and prosperity.

 “Even today in American Samoa, we have our reminders overlooking the Harbor of that immense war. Still today, the people of American Samoa are doing our part, serving the country in high numbers. The military families of American Samoa have earned the right to be proud of that as we remember this important date in history.”

$1 MILLION FOR AMERICAN SAMOA’S COASTS

Washington, D.C. – Friday, Sept. 1, 2018 - Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed over $1 million in federal funds through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for American Samoa’s coastal management.

 “This grant will provide funding for the Territory’s coastal management efforts,” said Aumua Amata. “In this program, NOAA and American Samoa are partners in the shared goals of keeping our coastlines healthy, beautiful and useful.”

Specifically, under the Coastal Zone Management Act passed by Congress, NOAA is directing resources to the American Samoa Department of Commerce for the Territory's coastal management program. The National Coastal Zone Management Program is a voluntary federal-state partnership working together to protect, restore, and responsibly develop coastal communities and resources. These efforts balance economic development, coastal uses, and natural resource priorities. The NOAA grant totals $1,024,000. 

These federal funds support jobs and provide assistance to American Samoa’s efforts to reduce coastal hazards, preserve habitat protection, improve water quality, and coastal community development. Uses include long-term wetlands monitoring with local communities, incorporating coastal hazard considerations into the established land-use permitting process so that it includes sea level, wave inundation, and storm surge threats. The grant also supports ongoing coastal permitting, planning, public outreach, and assistance to villages.

 “Thank you to Sandra Fuimaono-Lutu for her work on this process, and thank you to director Keniseli F. Lafaele, Uili Leauanae and all involved in these coastal projects,” stated the Congresswoman. “I also appreciate once again NOAA personnel involved in these programs, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Timothy Gallaudet.”