DEMS PREPS FOR DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION MEETING

The American Samoa Democratic Party invites all Democrats and interested members of the public to a general meeting 6:00 p.m. Monday, June 15, 2015 at Toa's Bar & Grill meeting room. As the 2016 Democratic National Convention approaches America Samoa's Democrats are gearing up to attend the Democratic National Convention to be held in Philadelphia from July 25-28, 2016.

All members of the community are welcome to join the local party and information on attending the Democratic National Convention will be available, as well as American Samoa's State Delegation Plan that has been submitted to the Democratic National Committee for review after the State Party's evaluation.

If you are interested in participating as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention or wish to join the local Democratic Party, your attendance is encouraged at this very informative session.

Also on the agenda is the Special Election for the State Chair, vacant due to the recent passing of Aliimau JR Scanlan. The date for the Special Election is July 1, 2015 from 6-8:00 p.m. at Toa's.

For more information email Clara at cj_reid83@yahoo.com or Andrew at andrew.berquist@gmail.com.

AMATA ADDRESSES SMALL BIZ COMMITTEE HEARING

Congresswoman Aumua Amata addressed Dr. Jonathon Gifford, Professor and Director, Center for Transportation Public-Private Policy, George Mason School of Public Policy, on the special needs and position of American Samoa in terms of current surface transportation infrastructure this past week.

“On the islands that I represent, American Samoa, almost every business qualifies as a small business. At the same time, American Samoa has some of the worst surface transportation infrastructure in the nation. This lack of quality infrastructure has a lasting and profound negative effect on those businesses and it is safe to say that the American Society of Civil Engineers would grade our island’s infrastructure with an F,” stated Amata. “Knowing of the benefits of the P3 (public-private-partnership) approach, has the Center for Transportation Public-Private Partnership Policy included such territories as American Samoa in its research and outreach? Also, what challenges do you see in incorporating the P3 approach in the territories?” Amata asked.

The purpose of the hearing, entitled “The Road Ahead: Small Businesses and the Need for a Long-Term Surface Transportation Reauthorization”, focused on the need to improve the nation’s infrastructure, and examining small firm participation in the surface transportation industry.

“It is essential that we improve our island’s infrastructure so that not only our people have safe and easily accessible roads, but also so our local businesses that rely upon sound infrastructure can thrive,” concluded Amata.