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House makes selection for members of the 19 Standing Committees

House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale during the Inauguration Ceremony that took place on Jan. 03, 2017 at the Fagatogo malae.  [photo: AF]
joyetter@samoanews.com

The House of Representatives has appointed their respective committee members with each lawmaker as Chairperson, with the exception of newly elected Representative Gafatasi Afalava, who was not appointed as a Chair, but he is a member in seven of the standing committees, and is vice-chair of two of them.

There are a total of 21 House members, which includes the Speaker of the House, and there is a total of 19 standing committees. The Speaker and Vice Speaker are the ones that make the selection. The Speaker does not serve on any of the committees, as is norm. It should be noted that the same men are currently holding the same House leadership positions from the previous legislature.

According to the list of Committees that were distributed and approved by the House, the following selections have been made for chairman:

House Rules Committee — Vice Speaker, Fetu Fetui Jr.

Budget and Appropriations Committee — Vailiuama Steve Leasiolagi

Ways and Means Committee — Lavea Legae’e Mauga

Government and Operations Committee — Faimealelei Anthony Allen

ASPA & Energy Office Committee — Timusa Tini Lam Yuen

Legal Affairs & Judiciary Committee — Toeaina Faufano Autele (These were previously separate committees, but are now combined)

Public Works Committee  — Vui Florence Tuaumu Saulo

Port Administrations and Transportation Committee —lawmaker Kitara Vaiau

Commerce & Economic Development — Samuel Ioka Meleisea

Local Government, TAOA and Election Office Committee — Sataua Dr. Mataese Samuelu

Human Social Services & Youth and Women’s Affairs Committee — Fagoatua Dorian Salave’a

Homeland Security Committee — Veevalu Meauta Lauoi Mageo

Parks and Recs Committee — Matagi David Sialega

Education and Scholarship Committee — Vaetasi Tuumolimoli Moliga

Health Committee — Vesi Talalelei Fautanu Jr

Public Safety Committee — Manumaua Wayne Wilson

Communications Committee — Pulei’ite Li’amatua Tufele

Vaetasi suggested to the House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, to add another member to the Education Committee, however Savali said that the members that have already been appointed should remain as it is; and the request for an additional member to the Education Committee was denied.