Culture

Washington, D.C. —Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives as part of a Special Order in honor of the remarkable life and national ministry of Billy Graham.

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata introduced a bill that would give U.S. Nationals from American Samoa a much more affordable and streamlined process if they choose to convert their National status to full U.S. citizenship.

First and foremost, residents in American Samoa would no longer have to move off island to become citizens. Secondly, they would no longer have to take the citizenship test. Finally, they would be eligible for a hardship waiver of the application fee.

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata released a statement honoring the life and ministry of Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints:

"I was saddened to hear of the passing of President Thomas S. Monson last week. He dedicated a lifetime to his ministry, and will be remembered in high regard for many years of exceptional service.

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Aumua Amata this week is hosting several town hall meetings to discuss recent events in Congress, take questions and hear from constituents in American Samoa.

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Aumua Amata was privileged to meet late Monday with some of the Samoan and Polynesian community in Alaska, hosted by the Polynesian Association of Alaska, and discuss issues such as access to healthcare on the islands, immigration and visas, as well as the importance of maintaining a strong culture and communities.

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Aumua Amata this week updated American Samoans at several town halls regarding the activities in Congress over the past few months, and took questions and discussed the issues that are most important to them.

"It was such a pleasure to be home this week and see familiar faces, and especially to talk to people about the issues they care about most," Aumua Amata said. "Our town halls were well attended and enjoyable, and so many are very interested in what is going on in Washington and how it affects them."

Washington, D.C. –Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, took to the Floor of the House yesterday, to hail Vice President Mike Pence's words to the people of American Samoa during his visit to the territory last week. Referring to it as the "Pago Pago Declaration", Amata told her colleagues that she believed this would become a component of the Trump Doctrine under development by the Administration.

Pago Pago, AS –Monday, Aumua Amata departed for the Manu'a Islands today, where she will be conducting town hall meetings and visiting with the local school children over the next few days.