Congressman Faleomavaega Eni has hinted that a National Guard unit for American Samoa may come under Hawai’i’s unit and has requested an official U.S. Defense Department briefing about the status of the federally required feasibility study on setting up a unit in the territory.

This information was outlined in the Congressman’s Apr. 3 letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, and the letter also recommends an ASG cabinet director be part of the team to conduct the study, which Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga says has been delayed due to jurisdiction issues.

The feasibility study — for American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands — is included in a provision of federal legislation, which was signed into law last December. The provision was requested by Faleomavaega to Congressional committees.

In his letter, Faleomavaega informed Hagel that he began work on this issue with the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye and a former official of the Hawai’i National Guard in hopes that a National Guard unit in American Samoa could be attached to the Hawai’i National Guard much like the territory’s U.S. Army Reserve troops, which are part of the Hawai’i based 9th Regional Support Command.

He pointed out that American Samoa’s sons and daughters have served in record numbers in every U.S. military engagement from World War II to the present. Additionally, the local enlistment rates per capita are one of the highest in any State or Territory; however, American Samoa, and also CNMI, continue to be the only U.S. possessions without a National Guard presence.

“Given the remote location of American Samoa and the constant threat of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tsunamis, I strongly believe that a National Guard unit will greatly help the people of American Samoa during time of crisis,” he wrote.

He also said the National Guard is a vital component of public safety for their role as first responders during states of emergency and as well as supporting regular armed forces during  time of war.

“Both Governor Lolo and I are deeply committed to our military men and women, and to the critical mission of the National Guard,” he noted.

“The fact that the U.S. Congress has now spoken in support of a feasibility study for the establishment of a National Guard unit in American Samoa is historic,” he said. “And so, I am hopeful that you, too, will lend your full support as I believe the study will conclude that the establishment of a National Guard under the auspices of the Hawaii National Guard is good for the United States, and good for American Samoa.”

The Congressman says his office continues to work with Hawai’i National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Darryll Wong, who is “pivotal to our success”. Additionally, Faleomavaega and Lolo look forward to working closely with Hagel,  Hawai’i Gov. Neil Abercrombie and the U.S. National Guard Bureau (NGB) on this study.

“To this end, I would appreciate a briefing from your staff regarding where the study now stands and how members of the study team will be selected,” he said, and recommended retired U.S. Command Sgt. Major Utuali’i Iuniasolua T. Savusa be included as a member of the study team, even if the team has already been selected.

The letter provided background information on Utuali’i's military background, including his current post as local Homeland Security Department director.

Copies of Faleomavaega’s letter were copied to Lolo, Lt. Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga, Fono members, and members of the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services.

Before he was taken ill and admitted to a Washington D.C. hospital in late February, the governor announced in a news release that U.S. Air Force National Guard Col. Robert ‘Randy’ Huston has offered to help Lolo and Faleomavaega pursue their joint desire for a National Guard unit in American Samoa.

However, “the issue of jurisdiction regarding the performance of this feasibility study remains to be determined,” the release says, adding that the Defense Department has until June 24 this year to complete the study for submission to the U.S. Congress, however, the “process is currently stymied at the Department of Defense because jurisdiction has not been determined.” (See Samoa News edition of Feb. 24 for more details).

Editor’s note:  Many of our readers are noting that Samoa News has not verified that Cong. Faleomavaega is actually at work and providing information for and approving his press releases.  Neither the congressman nor his staff will answer any questions about this current condition or office hours or the amount of his participation in legislative business.

The last statement released by his office said he was back at work on a limited basis as he continues his recovery although it has been noted by Washington insiders (and other congressional delegates) that he is still absent from hearings and other congressional functions.

In a non scientific poll on this website, readers overwhelming voted that the congressman and his family have a right to privacy despite the crucial roll he plays as the only official Federal government voice for the territory.

Samoa News (like the general public) has no firm information on the congressman’s health, how much he is participating in daily business of his office or a prognosis for his recovery — or even what actually is ailing him although the general consensus (that cannot be confirmed) is that he suffered a stroke.

We will continue to print information from his press releases because despite being unable to verify the extent of his participation, this is the official word from his office of American Samoa’s congressional stand on issues.