Press Releases

Press Releases_

Aumua Amata attends Purple Heart ceremony for recipient Apelu So'omalelagi

PAGO PAGO. Aumua Amata today attended the Purple Heart awarding ceremony for Army SGT Apelu So'oa'emalelagi at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Tafuna together with Army dignitaries from off island and other Army personnel including American Samoan Army reservists and the newest recruits. Aumua, So'oa'emalelagi and his wife, were the only civilians present for the important military ceremony.

Said Amata, "I salute and congratulate Apelu So'oa'emalelagi, as well as his wife Apa'ula and children for their untiring support of this husband and dad. This is a huge achievement. Given his stellar service in the U.S. Army, he certainly is deserving of this high honor and official recognition of his sacrifice. So'oa'emalelagi's Purple Heart award was based upon the recommendation from his chain of command, stating the injury that was received and the action in which So'oa'emalelagi was wounded."

Established by General George Washington in 1782 the Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded in action and is the oldest award that is still given to members of the U.S. Armed Forces wounded in action or killed while serving the U.S. military.

Aumua concluded by saying, "American Samoa commends Apelu So'oa'emalelagi for his sacrifice and our people are very proud of this military hero. May God continue to shower His blessings on him. I was truly privileged to be invited there to witness this momentous occasion."

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Aumua Amata thanks leadership for help on the Wage Hike Bill

Reprinted from Samoa News
Monday, July 23, 2012

Aumua Amata today expressed her appreciation to her friends in the U.S. House Leadership and Conference without whose votes it would have been impossible for American Samoa to delay the wage hike in an effort to boost the local economy.

The U.S. House Republican Conference is the formal assembly or caucus of all Republican Members of Congress who outnumber the Democrats by a margin of 241 to 191 with three vacancies. 378 voted for the bill, 11 were against.

"I want to thank the Big Four: House Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy and House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling for their support and understanding of the unique circumstances faced by American Samoa that have necessitated this postponement. As a former congressional staffer who worked for the U.S. Leadership for ten years, I am grateful that when some of us reached out to them at this critical time, they extended a helping hand to American Samoa.

Aumua worked for House Republican Conference Chairman J.C. Watts, Jr. (R-OK), House Republican Conference Chairman Deborah Pryce (R-OH) and Dean of the House Republicans Cong. Phil Crane of Illinois.

Aumua concluded by saying, "I am extremely proud of our local work force whose product and output is of high quality and I stand behind them all the way. They absolutely deserve a fair wage for their work and I am confident they will get there when our fragile economy is strong and can sustain it. I salute them for their patience in understanding this particular situation that calls for a delay in the minimum wage hike at this time in order to strengthen our local economy and improve the day-to-day lives of our people."

Audio

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Tampa Pacific Island Host Committee to welcome delegates at GOP National Convention
Reprinted from Samoa News

Audio: Press to hear

Pinellas Park FL - A group of Pacific islander community activists this week met at the Sushi Lover Restaurant in Pinellas Park to launch a Pacific Islanders Tampa Host Committee to interact with delegations from Pacific territories and the State of Hawaii who will be traveling to Tampa to participate in the 2012 Republican National Convention being held August 26-31.

The leaders invited Rita Wesley, the Deputy Director of Events and Volunteers for the Tampa Host Committee to explain the role of her committee and to work with the islanders on volunteer opportunities in connection with the convention.

"While the Republican National Comittee (RNC) has responsibility for all activities inside the convention hall," said Sau Tuiolosega Tupuola, a Samoan who helped organize the gathering, "the Convention Host Committee and our host committee are non-partisan groups coming together to provide civic support and welcome the delegates to the cities in our area."

Delegates will be housed in hotels throughout the area, primarily in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater.

"This will be a wonderful opportunity to bring together many of the 2,000 Native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders who live in our region," said Rose Sugrive, a native Fijian who is the immediate past director of the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society (SPIFFS) a non-profit umbrella organization of many ethnic groups, including Tongans and Fijians. Ms. Sugrive's father, Pecell Tuinakauvadra, head of the Fiji group and Kalani Uhatafe, the Tongan group leader, also participated in the organizing meeting.

Masi and Nua Toafili, who also were at the organizing meeting, said they would meet again soon to discuss what the committee wanted to do. Some of the ideas discussed were an Ava Ceremony at the airport to greet the delegations, a luau on the beach and a community service project. Pacific islanders in the Tampa area who would like to be involved can call Mr. Sau Tuiolosega Tupuola at 727-259-5625 for further information.

American Samoa's GOP delegates and alternate delegates attending the convention include: Aofaga Ricky Salanoa, Dr. Victor Tofaeono, Falema'o and Mrs. Ali Pili, Mr. Brandon Smart, HC Su'a Carl Schuster and his wife Salote; Ms. Natasha Ledoux; Johnny S. Mapu; Sherry Ah Hing; Bernadette Lafaele; Aumua Amata; Va'a Tofaeono; Mandy Le'au.

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Audio (Samoan)

32 local student-athlete high school grads honored and awarded American college scholarships in Field House 100 Ceremony of Recognition

Reprinted from Samoa News
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
by T. Gasu, Samoa News Sports Correspondent

This past Saturday's "Student-Athlete Ceremony of Recognition honored some of the most explosive graduating senior athletes who will be leaving soon for college on mostly football scholarships this year - two are on baseball scholarships. Housing the event was Field House 100 American Samoa and its Executive Director Brandon Smart; Pastor Brian Smart, and Happy Valley Baptist Church Pastor Elise Tafao.

Numerous parents, friends and family members showed up for the gathering to witness student athletes from all over the island officially sign onto the schools of their choice.

Lt. Gov. Faoa Sunia, accompanied by Mrs. Elisapeta Sunia, provided the address to the young athletes. "These young people represent not only the brightest our island has to offer, but also the toughest and most hard-working. I look forward to following them as they leave the island and represent our culture," he said.

Opening remarks by Pastor Brian Smart was a testimony to how hard work paid off making this day possible. "So many people on the island have worked hard to get these students to where they are today. It has taken teachers, principals, parents, coaches and relatives to work together to make this day happen. I want to also mention the guidance counselors who work so hard behind the scenes to make sure these student-athletes are ready for college."

According to Executive Director of Field House 100 Brandon Smart, this program is dedicated to helping student athletes on island. "Field House 100 has been helping student athletes earn college scholarships in football, baseball, women's soccer and softball over the last three years in American Samoa. Working closely with the schools, we have helped over 65 students earn over two million dollars in scholarships," he said.

He also recognized and acknowledged those who have helped the student athletes prepare and go on to college. "We are very grateful to the amazing principals,teachers, coaches and guidance counselors who work tirelessly to support students behind the scenes at all schools in American Samoa. Without the deep convictions of these individuals, we could not be hosting today's ceremony. We also would like to thank Lealao Melila Purcell and Peter Gurr of the Samoa Bowl for what they do for the athletes on the island."

The one hour program closed with recognition of each scholar athlete.

Closing thoughts were from Pastor Elise Tafao who urged people to continue to pray for the these young men of American Samoa as they begin the next chapter in their lives. "I ask God to watch over them and stress the importance of these athletes staying connected with Christ through reading the Bible daily," he said.

2012 Student Athletes

Student	High School	College
1. Destiny Toa Vaeao	Tafuna	Washington St. Univ.
2. Robert Barber	Faga'itua	Washington St. Univ.
3. Noke Tago	Leone	Oregon St. Univ.
4. Rommel Mageo	Samoana	Oregon St. Univ.
5. Alex Steffany	Leone	N. Mexico Military Inst.
6. Jeremiah Fuiava	Tafuna	N. Mexico Military Inst.
7. Samoa Carlson Samoa	Fa'asao Marist	N. Mexico Military Inst.
8. O. J. Mau	Faga'itua	Gardner-Webb Univ.
9. John Ioane	Tafuna	Eastern N. Mexico Univ.
10. Elliot Peters	Fa'asao Marist	Eastern N. Mexico Univ.
11. Ioane Ioane	Kanana Fou	Savannah St. Univ.
12. Epafara Moananu	Tafuna	Savannah St. Univ.
13. Filoisamoa Langkilde	Tafuna	University of Hawaii
14. Scotland Elisara	-	Grossmont College
15. Kevin Feliuai	Samoana	Grossmont College
16. Vincent Ta'ala	-	Univ. of Saint Mary
17. Jason Casem	Samoana	Univ. of Saint Mary
18. Le-Anthony Grey	Fa'asao Marist	Chabot College
19. Gabe Collins	Fa'asao Marist	Chabot College
20. Daniel Etuale	Nuuuli Voc Tech	Chabot College
21. Iosefa Su'a	Nuuuli Voc Tech	Chabot College
22. Alo'ese Su'a	Nuuuli Voc Tech	Chabot College
23. Lolani Fa'aloua	Nuuuli Voc Tech	Chabot College
24. Nathaniel Tuamoheloa	Nuuuli Voc Tech	Chabot College
25. Thomas Ma'o	Faga'itua	Chabot College
26. Shalom Luani	Faga'itua	Chabot College
27. John Aetui	Leone	Chabot College
28. Michael Schuster	Fa'asao Marist	Chabot College
29. Alexander Elenio	Tafuna	San Bernadino Coll.
30. Philip Fata	Samoana	Golden West Coll.
31. Leuma Fualefu (Baseball)	-	Bacone College
32. Sailiolelagi (Jason) Laolagi (Baseball)	-	Bacone College

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Aumua Amata commends CSM Charles Tobin's Change of Responsibility

Aumua Amata has congratulated CSM Charles Tobin of Pago Pago and Lotopa, Samoa on the occasion of his Change of Responsibility ceremony at 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) HQ at Fort Bragg NC on Friday, March 2. Tobin will take over from CSM Danfert J. Espinal who is retiring.

"I first met CSM Tobin several years ago when, as APA Commissioner, the DOD invited me to Germany to celebrate with our troops and keynote Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and National Military Appreciation Month at several bases, including the Army Garrison in Stuttgart and Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the Alps. I also visited with students at our military dependents' schools and was humbled and privileged to comfort the wounded at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, our largest military hospital in the world. CSM Tobin was Headquarters Commandant, European Command."

Amata continued, "This fine soldier has had a long career serving our Nation, beginning in 1983 with Basic Training and Advancement Individual Training at Fort Jackson, SC."

"His first assignment was in the 82nd Airborne Division, after which he left the Army for one year in October 1986 before enlisting again in October 1987. Upon his return, Charles Tobin was assigned to the Federal Republic of Germany, followed by CONUS and later was assigned to the National Training Center, Fort Irwin CA."

"Tobin's additional assignments have included: Division Support Command, 82nd Airborne Division; 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Red Cloud, South Korea; 82nd Forward Support Battalion, 1st Armored Division, Germany; HQ Commandant, European Command, Germany; 377th Theater Sustainment Command, New Orleans LA; 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne) Fort Bragg NC and COMISAF Advisory and Assistance Team, Senior Enlisted Advisor, Kabul, Afghanistan."

Aumua indicated that, during his career, CSM Tobin served in every Non-commissioned Officer leadership position, Squad Leader to Command Sergeant Major and has participated in contingencies such as Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Amata added that CSM Tobin's military and civilian education includes all levels of Non-commissioned Officer Professional Military Education, Inspector General Course, Battle Staff Course, First Sergeant Course, Sergeants Major Academy and the Keystone Leader Course.

"Despite military duties and responsibilities," continued Aumua, "Charles Tobin found time to obtain a B.A. and later a Master of Arts Degree in Management from Webster University, and he often stresses to our youth the importance of getting an education, "the one thing nobody can ever take away from you."

CSM Tobin's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Jumpmaster Badge and Air Assault Badge. He also is the recipient of the Distinguished Order of St. Martin for the Quartermaster Regiment.

Aumua Amata concluded by saying, "CSM Tobin is not one to talk about himself, but we in both Samoas are aware of his achievements and are proud of them. He is a role model for our local youth and I hope that someday when he retires he, as other Samoan military veterans have done, will return home to contribute his extensive knowledge, military experience and training in service to our local community. We salute him. Malo tau pati, Charles."

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Aumua Amata commends Shaun Nua on securing Naval Academy's assistant football coach position

Aumua Amata today offered hearty congratulations to Shaun Nua, who has joined the staff of the Naval Academy as assistant football coach as announced by Navy's famed head football coach Ken Niumatalolo.

Said Amata, "We could not be more proud of this young American Samoan who hails from Manu'a. His many stellar achievements are the result of hard work and discipline and he comes from a family of leaders in Manu'a."

Nua comes to the Naval Academy from Brigham Young University, where he assisted for the past three seasons. He is a 2005 graduate of BYU where he received his bachelor's degree and is currently pursuing his graduate degree. Nua played four years in the NFL, three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one in Buffalo, including a winning trip to the Super Bowl with the Steelers his rookie year in 2006.

Shaun prepped at Tafuna High School where he was an all-league performer as a defensive end.

Aumua concluded by saying, "My compliments to Shaun's parents, Nua Sao Nua and Usu. His siblings include Skyline Nua, Miss American Samoa. Malo le tau malo finau."

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