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Twenty-one members of the House sworn-in

Traditional leaders and untitled men of the Manu’a district perform the Ava Ceremony at yesterday’s inauguration for Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga. [photo: AF]
Rep. Savali Talavou Ale, longest serving faipule, re-elected as Speaker of the House
reporters@samoanews.com

The House of Representatives has unanimously re-elected Rep. Savali Talavou Ale as Speaker of the House for the next two years. As previously reported by Samoa News, in a meeting last month of returning and newly-elect faipule, all endorsed Savali to, again, be the House leader.

At the start of yesterday’s swearing-in ceremony, presided over by Chief Justice Michael Kruse, a letter from the Election Office was read, to certify the names of all 21-House members — 20 of them are elected by popular vote ,while the 21st is the Swains Island delegate.

After lawmakers are sworn-in comes the election for the House leader, in which Rep. Toeaina Faufano Autele verbally submitted Savali’s name and it was seconded by Rep. Pulele’iite Tufele Li’amatua.

In submitting Savali’s name, Toeaina pointed out that many of them are aware of the many years that Savali has served in the House for his Alataua County, as well as serving in the House for some 36 years. Lawmakers voted by secret ballot to unanimously elect Savali.

Also re-elected yesterday was Fialupe Lutu as Chief House Clerk and Line Olo as House Sergeant-At-Arms — both terms are also for two years.

Savali delivered a traditional Samoan thank you speech for the support from his colleagues, saying that he was prepared to work together with all House members to achieve the goal of a better American Samoa in the future.

The Speaker of the House, who hails from the village of Fagali’i, is currently the longest serving lawmaker in the Fono. He was first elected to the House in 1981.

After graduating from Leone High School, Savali moved to California where he attended Cannon’s College of Commerce, a two-year institution, where he studied Business Administration, according to the Fono Golden Jubilee Book.

He then attended California Baptist College where he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1977. Savali also attended summer programs at Oregon State University and the University of Hawaii.

Samoa News reporters Ausage Fausia and Fili Sagapolutele contributed to this report