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More villages up for registration at DRC

Community News Briefs
compiled by Samoa News staff

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a statement Tuesday afternoon, the ASG and the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the new list for villages up for registration at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), located inside the DYWA Pago Pago Youth Center.

The new list runs through Saturday and the DRC is open from 8a.m. to 4p.m:

Thursday, Apr. 19: Auasi #0001 – 0015; Aunu’u #0001 – 0076; Alao #0001 – 0092 and 0121

Friday, Apr. 20: Onenoa #0001 – 0024; Amouli #0001 – 0009 and 0019 – 0077; Tula #0001 – 0069 and 0095; and Sa’ilele #0001 – 0019

Saturday, April 21: make-up day for all of Asili, Amaluia, Afao, Nua, Seetaga, Utumea, Agugulu, Fagamalo, Poloa, Amanave, Faga’itua, Failolo, Masausi, Masefau,  Alofau, Aoa  Fagali’i, Utumea East, Auasi, Aunu’u, Alao, Onenoa, Amouli, Tula, and Sa’ilele residents that need to register with FEMA.

Applicants should have the following information on hand: Social Security number; address of the damaged primary residence; description of the damage; information about insurance coverage if applicable; current contact telephone number; an address where they can receive mail; and bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

SURVIVORS OF STORM OFFERED FREE LEGAL SERVICES

FEMA said Tuesday afternoon that an agreement with the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association, offers free legal help for people who have losses caused by Tropical Storm Gita.

The service provides help with claims forms, replacing legal papers, drafting contracts, guardianship, power of attorney, etc. Visit the DRC or call (684) 699-2018 for more information.

According to FEMA, disaster legal help is offered to low income individuals who are not able to get these services because of the disaster. This free help is limited to cases that will not produce a fee. Cases that may generate a fee are referred to the local lawyer referral service.

FLAGS LOWERED IN MEMORY OF FORMER FIRST LADY

Pursuant to a Proclamation by US President Donald Trump, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has directed that the US flag be flown at half-staff “to pay honor and respect to the memory of the late [former] First Lady, Barbara Bush, through the date of her internment.”

“As a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, military spouse and former First Lady, Mrs. Bush was a tireless advocate for family values,” Lolo said in a memorandum released yesterday ordering the lowering of the US flag. “Her matriarchal leadership spawned a family dedicated to public service.”

“We pay honor and respect to this great American Lady who personified service above self,” Lolo said.

In his proclamation on Apr. 17th on the death of Mrs. Bush, the President said, “We mourn the loss of Barbara Bush, an outstanding and memorable woman of character.”

“Mrs. Bush lived a life that reminds us always to cherish our relationships with friends, family, and all acquaintances,” Trump said. “In the spirit of the memory of Mrs. Bush, may we always remember to be kind to one another and to put the care of others first.”

In a statement yesterday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata honored the remarkable life of Bush, only the second in history along with Abigail Adams to be both the wife and mother of a United States President.

Bush, 92, passed away late Tuesday and leaves a rich legacy that includes a dedication to her country, family, and promoting reading.

“I have fond remembrances of being with her when we were invited to the Bush summer residence in Kennebunkport, Maine in 1982; the Pacific Island Leaders’ Summit at East-West Center Hawai’i in 1990; as well as the 1989 Education Summit with Governors in Charlottesville, Virginia,” Aumua said.

Throughout the decades, the people of the US have “retained a deep affection” for Bush that always transcended the political sentiments of the moment, Amata continued, noting that Bush earned that trust, respect, and love through her public and private demeanor.

Bush “conducted herself with charm, wit, graciousness and integrity,” she said. “She will be missed and her memory treasured, and through her dedication to children’s literacy and the example of her personal values, her life will continue to make the future brighter for others. We pray that God will be close to the entire Bush and Pierce families in this time.”

AMATA WELCOMES OVER $250,000 PACIFIC BASIN GRANT FOR HEALTH CARE

Washington, D.C. — Wednesday, Apr. 18, 2018 — Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomes another federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of $256,864 for American Samoa. The Pacific Basin Grant is offered under the Health Center Cluster Program of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

 “The HRSA have been very attentive to our needs in American Samoa. Since our recent natural disaster of Hurricane Gita, American Samoa has been in greater need for assistance in many aspects, especially in our health care services,” said Amata. “Once again, I am grateful and pleased to welcome these federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”

HRSA is tasked with providing health care and support to geographically isolated populations. Dedicated to improving health care delivery in these areas along with groups otherwise economically or medically vulnerable, nearly 90 percent of HRSA’s budget is awarded through grants and cooperative agreements.

American Samoa is a frequent benefactor of the continuation of health care grants by HHS. The $256,864 Pacific Basin Grant is the second of the same grant project to be awarded to American Samoa this year.

“I would like to thank HRSA and the U.S. Department of HHS for granting us the necessary funds to ensure that our health services are being kept within federal health care standards,” continued Amata. “Thank you also to Project Director Manhart Alo and his team for their un-abating efforts in obtaining these funds.”