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Reprint from Samoa News
May 01, 2007

By Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent

The Senate has requested Congressman Faleomavaega to withdraw a federal measure he introduced in the U.S. House seeking the Secretary of Interior to place three questions on the November 2008 ballot.

The questions are 1st) whether individuals who are born in American Samoa should become citizens of the United States; 2nd) whether Senators should be elected by the qualified electors from the respective counties; and 3rd) whether American Samoa should have its own Federal district court with limited jurisdiction.

The Senate’s request is outlined in a Senate Resolution, signed by 17 senators, conveying its “strong opposition” to the proposal. The missing signature is Sen. Faiivae Galeai, who has been absent since the start of the Special Session due to health reasons.

Prior to the close of the First Session in March, Faiivae had argued that its up to Faleomavaega as to what bill he wants to introduce in Congress and challenges his colleagues as to what they are afraid of, having such questions placed on the ballot.

The “Senate strongly opposes this legislation which it feels the Congressman unilaterally and without proper consultation with the leaders and people of American Samoa introduced,” the resolution says.

Regarding the issue of persons born in American Samoa to become a U.S. citizen, the Senate says this matter has been the subject of comment in the territory’s history “as far back as our forefathers who established milestones in our development, to the political status study commissions and constitutional conventions of more recent times.”

“During these occasions the people of American Samoa concluded that U.S. National is the appropriate status for themselves and their future generations because of the conditions that make life in this small island community uniquely different from that which exists in the United States,” the resolution said.

In the matter of electing Senators, the resolution points out the “wisdom of our forefathers to institutionalize Samoan culture in the decision making process of modern government, by mandating that members of the Senate…..be elected by Samoan culture, assures the preservation of a way of life that is directly dictated by the physical and spiritual environment in which the Samoans live.”

The resolution notes the “people of American Samoa acknowledge with humility the material and spiritual benefits received through their relationship with the United States based on the values of mutual love and respect.”

It further states that the “Senate believes that the issues that have direct impact on the future political status and the preservation of our way of life, such as those raised by Congressman Faleomavaega in Congress, must emanate from within American Samoa.”

The Senate therefore requests Faleomavaega to withdraw this measure from Congress in favor of awaiting public discussions in the territory.

Copies of the resolution were to be forwarded to Governor Togiola, Interior Secretary, House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Hawaii’s congressional delegation and other Congressional members.

Tags: Disrespectful

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