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Aumua opens district office, attends Fono opening

American Samoa’s new Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives plans a non-stop work schedule for the next six weeks, since being sworn in last Tuesday for the 114th U.S. Congress.  She is currently in the territory, and will attend today’s official opening of the 34th Legislature.

 

Congresswoman Aumua Amata, who left for Washington D.C. in mid December after unseating Congressman Faleomavaega Eni in the November 4th general election, returned home last Friday night for the first time as a Member of the U.S. Congress.

 

“There are all kinds of exciting things going on in Congress,” the Congresswoman said in a Samoa News interview Saturday morning at the ground-floor of the Fagatogo Square, where her District Office is located.

 

“As a matter of fact we hit the ground running full speed right before Jan. 6, swearing in ceremony and [also] right on Jan. 6, so I feel very excited that we’ll be able to get some favorable things done for our people,” she said adding that some of the issues taken up by the U.S. House since Jan. 6 includes immigration and funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

 

When Samoa News addressed her as “Congresswoman”, as part of asking questions, she softly pointed out, “please just call me Amata”. However, Samoa News went on to address her as “Congresswoman” during the brief interview.

 

Amata went on to say, “I’m very excited because I’m on three different committees that are very, very relevant to American Samoa— Veterans Affairs, Small Business, and Natural Resources”.

 

(She is one of the only nine new House members being assigned to three committees. There are a total of 49 new members of the House, and Samoa News understands that new members are usually assigned to just one, and if fortunate, two committees.)

 

The Congresswoman explained that the Natural Resources committee has oversight on a wide range of issues such as water, power, and fisheries, “which is the most important issue to our economy”.

 

Along with fisheries, the National Resources Committee also has jurisdiction over the insular areas.

 

With so many issues to deal with in the House, the Congresswoman said, “we want to use the next six weeks working straight way through non-stop, until President’s Day weekend, and then we’ll probably be able to take a break,” she said. (President’s Day falls on Feb. 16)

 

“But I’m just delighted to be back here. It's important to our local leaders to open the Legislature so we can discuss their issues and concerns, so I could take that back with me and figure it into our strategy as we deal with Congress,” she said.

 

She will also meet later today with the governor and local leaders (See separate story)

 

DISTRICT OFFICE

 

The Congresswoman’s first day back home Saturday morning was to attend the official opening of her District Office on the ground-floor of Fagatogo Square.

 

The office will be headed by High Chief Pulu Ae Ae Jr., who was Amata’s campaign chairman and senior advisor.

 

Pulu, a former local House member who also served two years as Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga’s troubleshooter on educational infrastructure issues, told Samoa News before the brief  blessing for the office opening that the Congresswoman selected the Fagatogo location for the office to “ensure the public has easy access to the office when assistance is needed” from the Congressional delegate.

 

Lolo attended the blessing for the official opening of the local office, offering brief comments. He said, “Amata has long been prepared for this Congressional post” and wished her the best. He said the government stands ready to work shoulder-to-shoulder with the new Congresswoman, along with local leaders for the prosperity of the people of American Samoa moving forward.

 

“Let’s all work together for the betterment of our territory,” Lolo stressed.

 

Amata also offered brief Samoan salutations and remarks, thanking the governor as well as traditional leaders who attended the opening. Among the leaders in attendance were Sens. Mauga T. Asuega, Galeai M. Tuufuli, Soliai Tuipine Fuimaono and Afoa Moega Lutu and Secretary of Samoan Affairs Satele Galu Satele Sr.

 

Afoa, who spoke on behalf of the Fono and its leadership, also offered the support of the Legislature to work with the new Delegate to Congress and advised her to always put God first in work and “to remember our people”.

 

Rep. Fatulegae’e Mauga was also present at the opening and Rev. Patolo Mageo provided prayers and a spiritual message for the small ceremony.