Aumua Addresses Fono

Congresswoman Aumua Amata
To: The American Samoa Fono
January 20, 2016
Pago Pago, American Samoa

Talofa,

First, let me thank you all (the Fono) for inviting me to be here today, and allowing me the opportunity to briefly speak on some of the things that have happened in Washington over the past year, that affect American Samoa, and some of the issues that I will be addressing during the Second Session of the 114^th Congress.

Before going any further, I would like to quickly summarize some of the subjects that I will be addressing with you here today:

In the next two years, The United States Congress will be preparing for a new Talanoa between the Federal Government, and the states and territories. Texas is organizing for a new Constitutional Convention, to advance the relationship between the federal government and the states and territories, to accommodate their individual needs as their populations have developed. We will be expected to play our part in addressing our needs for a re-engagement with United States. As you know, we have important issues that need to be resolved. We need to have more of a say in the airfares that are allowed to be imposed upon us, as it is crippling our society and our relationships with our extended family. It is depressing our economic growth and making the opportunities for the education of our youth off island more difficult. We need the freedom to regulate the wages of our isolated economy to enable job creation. We need a more responsive federal government that will aid in the repair of existing roads and the creation of new ones. We also need the federal government’s comprehensive participation in the aid for public transportation to our small communities, as is done on the mainland.

As a Freshman Member of Congress, I can tell you that it has been a very busy year in Washington. I had to hit the ground running, because things move a bit quicker in D.C., but I am proud to say that in just one year, we have accomplished a great deal for American Samoa, and I look forward to continuing the work we have started, as it has been your support and guidance that have allowed us to achieve some truly remarkable things.

With a unified majority in both houses of Congress, work is finally getting done in Washington, and I am proud to say that American Samoa (WE) has played a significant part in that.

As you know, it is my mission, as the Representative for our island, to ensure that our people are afforded the same opportunities and resources as those on the mainland. For too long, American Samoa has been short-changed in Washington, but I am happy to say that things are beginning to change.

In just one year, WE have helped to obtain more than $35 million in grant funding for our island through federal agencies, thanks to the hard work of those ASG officials and employees who apply for them. WE have also garnered other major increases to appropriations, not seen in a long time. For instance, just last month, Congress passed the Every Student Succeeds Act. This 5 year reauthorization sets the formula for appropriations regarding elementary and secondary education in the United States and territories. Through discussions with my colleague, Chairman John Kline of the House Education and Workforce Committee, WE were able to secure a much needed and significant increase for our island’s education funding beginning in FY 2017, which begins on October 1^st, 2016. This new formula will allow for a nearly 40 percent increase for education funding here in American Samoa, and I am very excited for our young people who will benefit greatly from this change. This significant and permanent increase to our local schools will see an increase of approximately 4 and a half million dollars for elementary and secondary education on the island…from the current $10 million annually to $14million annually beginning in FY 2017.

Last month, Congress passed the Omnibus Appropriations bill, which will fund the government until the end of the fiscal year next September. The bill, is a result of negotiations between leadership on both sides of the aisle, and includes expansions of the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and the American Opportunity Tax Credit…all important provisions to the island, and tax breaks that many of our people qualify for.

MOST importantly for American Samoa, the Omnibus legislation extends the American Samoa Economic Development Tax Credit, which was targeted for expiration at the beginning of the year. However, through discussions with leadership WE were able to see it extended. As I am sure you are aware, the American Samoa Economic Development Tax Credit provides a great incentive for U.S. corporations to invest in the island, and is one of the driving forces for future development. Because this tax credit is so important to our territory, I will be working to see it made permanent in the coming year, as well as seeing it expanded to those qualifying companies already on the island, but were not “grandfathered” in. With a strong ally on the Senate side in Senator Hatch, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I am hopeful that we can make real progress on this issue in the near future.

As you know, this past September…after long and hard-fought negotiations, WE were able to secure a much deserved 40 cent increase to the minimum wage for our workers. This wage increase will help put more money into the pockets of those who need it most, while also providing long-term stability and a steady wage rate for the island’s employers. While I understand that this increase has placed an even greater strain on our local canneries, I assure you that the alternative would have been much worse. WE need to continue to come together when it comes to the canneries. There is now an opposing side in Washington (Georgia Delegation), due to Chicken of the Sea opening operations in Georgia. With a unified voice, I know that WE can do what it will take to ensure their continued operations here in American Samoa.

You may recall, by working with the Governor and the Fono, and in keeping with the spirit of the 10th Amendment, WE proposed a legislative agenda designed to convey, modify, share or return jurisdiction to American Samoa the following federal powers, and I proud to say that in just one year, WE have made great progress on this agenda…

1. Under the Antiquities Act of 1906, share with American Samoa federal authority for designating national monuments over lands and seas in which American Samoa has economic and environmental interests…This issue continues to be addressed in the House Natural Resources Committee and I am hopeful that a meaningful solution can be achieved. In fact, I am a cosponsor of legislation, the National Monument Designation Transparency and Accountability Act, which would require Congressional approval before any designation can be made by the President.

2. Consistent with the treatment of banks in other states, commonwealths and territories, reduce the time in which any bank doing business in American Samoa may hold checks for clearance… I am proud to say that WE were able to pass legislation, which amends the Expedited Funds Availability Act to apply it to American Samoa, through the House unanimously… I expect it to pass the Senate in the first few weeks of the Second Session, and then be signed into law by the President. This bill will put American Samoa on the same footing as the states in regards to wait times for check clearance.

3. Amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to simplify procedures by which a U.S. National who owes permanent allegiance to the United States and residing permanently in the states or in the District of Columbia may become a United States citizen…Having tackled the task of the Minimum Wage, I am now focusing my long term efforts on getting legislation through Congress that will make it much easier for our people to become citizens, should they so choose. With your continued guidance and help, I know that WE can get this done for our people. While this will be a fight that may take longer than just one session of Congress to fix, I want you to know that it is my intent to see it through to the end.

4. Modify existing cabotage legislation to permit foreign carriers to offer air passenger service between the main island of Tutuila and the remote islands of the Manu’a group without further reference to federal authorities… Next week, I will introduce already drafted legislation that will address the cabotage issue, and I am fairly certain that WE will be able to get it through Congress and on the President’s desk rather quickly. As you know, it has long been an issue for our people, who often need to travel between the islands on a consistent basis…this legislation will resolve that.

5. In partnership with the federal government, return to American Samoa authority to set minimum wage rates…As I just mentioned, last September, WE were able to secure a 3 year term for the minimum wage here in American Samoa, which allows for businesses to set long-term plans based on the cost of labor. The modest increase of $.40 cents an hour to the minimum wage rate, provides a much deserved increase of for our people. However, the next step is to get the power to set the wage back here on the island where it belongs. This will take some time, but WE can get it done.

In Fact, I will continue to need YOUR help and guidance this year, as WE continue to address some of the issues that are important to the people of American Samoa, such as…

• The strengthening of our local fishing industry to ensure the continuous supply of fish to our island’s canneries…I will be introducing legislation and holding a hearing in the coming weeks to that end.
• Making the American Samoa Economic Development Tax Credit permanent to promote investment in the island…Again, I will be introducing legislation this Session, and with the support of Chairman Hatch of the Senate Committee on Finance, and I am hopeful that we can get it done.
• Continuing to make sure that our veterans are provided with the benefits and care they have earned.
• AND…Diversifying the local economy so that do not have to continue to be reliant on a single source of income…to name just a few.

While a lot has happened legislatively, we have also seen a few firsts this year for our people on the national level…Ms. Taylor Jessup became the first American Samoan to be accepted to all three major service academies. Ms. Jane Pelenato won the first annual Malofie Congressional Art Competition and had her work hang in the U.S. Capitol building for the year…and U.S. Army Captain Puletasi H. Wong-Mageo received the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award. These are just a few Samoans who helped promote all that is good and decent about our people this year, and I want to thank them and all others who strived to do more for our people, and their outstanding representation of our island.

I am sure that you will notice that I have said WE a lot this evening. That is because it is WE who have accomplished these things for our home. It is YOUR guidance and trust that have allowed me to work on your behalf and I could not be more honored to do so. Please know that I will CONTINUE to work hard for our people and ensure that American Samoa is no longer forgotten when it comes to the opportunities and resources that our people not only deserve, but have earned.

Thank you again for allowing me to be here today, and know that my office is always open to you all, should you need my assistance on anything.