Washington, D.C. — A friend and colleague of Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is to be nominated for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The announcement was made over the weekend by President-elect Trump announcing Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for the post.

“Congresswoman Stefanik is a friend and colleague, but also a classmate, as we were first elected at the same time in 2014,” said Congresswoman Amata. “She is a strong leader and an excellent choice to represent the United States to the largest organization of nations in the world, including all our friends and neighbors in the Pacific region.”

“Congratulations to Elise,” Amata continued. “The U.S. Senate should promptly confirm her so this important role is filled without delay. I look forward to her diplomatic efforts especially in working with her Pacific counterparts from our region.”

Congresswoman Stefanik, 40, has been in House leadership roles for years, including heading up the Republican Conference for the past several years. When elected, she was at the time the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. Prior experience includes roles in the George W. Bush administration and in the White House Chief of Staff’s office.

Upon Senate confirmation, she would join a prestigious list of historic names, several of whom later served in other Cabinet posts, including Secretary of State. More notably, the post has been held by one Ambassador who later became President of the United States, the 41st President George H.W. Bush.

The post of Ambassador to the U.N. was first made a Cabinet level post under President Dwight Eisenhower in 1953, and since then, the full Cabinet status has varied from administration to administration.