Amata and CODEL Meet with Leaders in the Philippines
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 in the Philippines with leaders of their government, and the U.S. military stationed there.
Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Tomio Nomura-Brown of Afono Village, pictured at the US Embassy, Philippines.
In the Philippines, Members of Congress met with Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana and the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to the Philippines Heather Variava. Members of Congress also visited Fort Magsaysay in Luzon and Zamboanga City in Mindanao, where they spoke with leaders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and service members of the U.S. military.
Among them, Amata was delighted to see Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Tomio Nomura-Brown of Afono Village, in his role supporting the Commander of the 24th Special Operations Wing, Col. Allison “A.B.” Black.
Congresswoman Amata with Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Tomio Nomura-Brown of Afono Village and his boss Air Force Col. Allison "A.B." Black, Commander, 24th Special Operations Wing.
In 2016, Amata was proud to cosponsor the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, signed into law later that year to honor their role in the war in the Pacific.
“Every Pacific ally is important within the big picture of security along with freedom of trade and movement throughout the entire Pacific,” said Congresswoman Amata. “I appreciate the informative briefings and the insights provided by diplomats, and the militaries of both the Philippines and our U.S. Armed Forces.”
L to R: Cong. Uifa'atali Amata; HVAC Chair Cong. Mark Takano; Cong. Juan Vargas; CODEL Chair Cong. Ruben Gallego and CODEL Co-Chair Cong. Ed Case
Congresswoman Amata, traveling as a Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, is also part of the Pacific Islands Caucus, along with serving on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. She was one of five Members of Congress in the delegation.
Members of Congress traveled on this military aircraft for portions of the trip.
The CODEL was 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.
###