Acting Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga, who is also the lieutenant governor, signed into law on Apr. 8 the $200,000 supplemental appropriation for fiscal year 2013, allocating this money to help fund the ASG Summer Youth Employment Program.

In signing the bill into law, Lemanu informed Fono leaders that every year the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provides $500,000 to support this summer program, administered locally by the Department of Resources.

“This program provides our young people an opportunity to experience on a firsthand basis life in the workplaces of American Samoa, in both the public and private sector,” Lemanu wrote, adding that the $200,000 “will enable a 40% increase in program participation and for that we are grateful.” He is also thankful to the Fono’s support for this investment in the youth of American Samoa.