Amata and CODEL Include ‘Our Ocean Conference’ in Pacific Meetings
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata took part this past week in a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to several Pacific region countries that have strategic partnerships with the United States, including meetings with key participants in the international Our Ocean Conference in Palau.
Congresswoman Amata and the leaders of the CODEL with Secretary Kerry and US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.
In Palau, the delegation met with President of Palau Surangel Whipps Jr., former U.S. Secretary of State and current Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, and U.S. Ambassador to Palau John Hennessy-Niland.
Congresswoman Amata and Secretary Kerry.
“As I’ve emphasized, it is important to the United States to extend our agreements with the Freely Associated States, especially in light of China’s effort to have growing influence in the Pacific islands,” said Congresswoman Amata. “These trusted partnerships with the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia are in the strategic interests of every nation involved.”
Members of Congress had a working dinner with President Whipps.
Congresswoman Amata, as a Member of the House Natural Resources Committee and the Pacific Islands Caucus, was one of five Members of Congress in the delegation led jointly by Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations of the House Armed Services Committee; and Congressman Ed Case (D-HI), Chair of the Pacific Islands Caucus and member of the House Committee on Appropriations; with House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA); and Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Congresswoman Amata at President Whipps in Palau.
“I’m pleased with the setting of the Our Ocean Conference, not only for our friends in Palau, but for all the Pacific islands,” noted Amata. “The conference has experts in the fields of climate and oceans, but Palau shares with American Samoa some of the issues surrounding coral reefs, shoreline erosion and stability needs, and a long way of life of locals fishing for food – much more than a pastime – so I’m optimistic that key players in the conference left with helpful insight as they continue their work.”
Rep. Amata on the small military aircraft taking Members of Congress to Palau.
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