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Reading the Declaration of Independence with Tafuna students
July 11, 2026

Pago Pago – Joined by students from the Tafuna High School Summer Bridge program, Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata read the Declaration of Independence as part of the nationwide ‘Sharing the Spirit of America’ project initiated by the Hawai’i America 250 Commission. The American Samoa America 250 Commission organized the local reading with support from the American Samoa Historic Preservation Office, the American Samoa Visitors Bureau, and the American Samoa Cultural Heritage Collective, Inc., while at least 1,098 locations around the world participated.

Issues:Culture

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Chief of Staff Leafaina Tavai hosted scholars on behalf of Congresswoman Amata
July 9, 2026

 Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata’s DC office enjoyed hosting a group of the FCCLA national scholarship winners and their sponsor on Thursday, when the scholarship group visited the American Samoa office. They shared how their educational opportunity this week was meaningful to them, while getting extra cultural experiences from new friends, such as eating homemade puligi, wearing a sei in their hair, trying a lavalava in the DC midsummer heat, and asking questions about life in American Samoa. 

Issues:Education

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Lucas and Chief Executive Officer Sandy Spavone
July 7, 2026

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is delighted to congratulate Lucas “Hoss” Tafesilafa’i Foster of Samoana High School, American Samoa’s first-ever representative at this week’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. 

Issues:Education

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250-graphic
July 1, 2026

Washington, D.C. - As our Nation prepares for the United States Semiquincentennial, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, Americans from every state and territory will have the opportunity to reflect on the freedoms, sacrifices, and blessings that have shaped the United States for nearly two and a half centuries.

Issues:Culture

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June 30, 2026

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming federal funding notices of two health grants, totaling over $1.33 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the American Samoa Department of Health (ASDOH). One social services grant of $580,847 is for cancer prevention and control programs, and the health services grant of $749,804 is to strengthen vaccine and preventable disease programs.

Issues:Healthcare

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Winning artist Eve Snow and her family in Congresswoman Amata's office in DC
June 30, 2026

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata welcomed the 2026 winner of the Malofie Congressional Art Competition, Eve Filomena Snow, of Tafuna High School, to the U.S. Capitol last week for the opening of her artwork. Eve visited Washington, D.C., took part in the agenda of events, and was accompanied for the occasion by her dad, her mom, and her sister. Her winning painting, “The Beauty from One Generation to the Next,” is now displayed at the U.S. Capitol where it can be visited for the next year. 


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June 30, 2026

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming notice of a grant of $58,578 from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA). 

“Thank you to the Criminal Justice Planning Agency, and in this effort Dr. Celestine Faumuina-Nix, as they work together to reduce substance abuse in our islands,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. 

Issues:Judiciary

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Secretary Rollins and Congresswoman Amata
June 26, 2026
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, in her role as a Vice Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, met with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and other Members of Congress on Thursday, discussing agriculture policy, legislation, and funding, including the Farm Bill. Congresswoman Amata welcomed Secretary Rollins’ emphasis that food security is national security, and in turn highlighted American Samoa’s key food security role producing 25 percent of U.S. canned tuna.
Issues:Education

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Congresswoman Amata and Ambassador Steel
June 26, 2026

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata greeted and congratulated newly confirmed U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Eunjoo Steel. She is Congresswoman Amata’s friend and former colleague, as Ambassador Steel represented California in the U.S. House for four years. Amata spoke with her while she was at the Capitol to meet with Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday. 


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Amata Speaking for Flag Day
June 25, 2026

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata was delighted to take part in the Samoan Flag Day event in Adelanto, California, at the invitation of Mayor Gabriel Reyes, a friend of the Samoan community, who was on hand to enjoy the festivities at the Adelanto Plaza & Event Center. Amata gave remarks and an update from American Samoa.

Issues:Culture