Amata with Delegation that Visited the Republic of the Marshall Islands Supporting Historic Relationship
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata took part last week in a bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) to underscore the importance of the historic relationship between the United States and the RMI, and emphasize the strategic strength of America's military presence in the region.
Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) CODEL
Congresswoman Amata said, “I have wonderful memories from a time in my youth in the Marshall Islands, and my father’s historic service there as a Pacific Islander in leadership in the post-World War II era. I hold these friends in the highest regard. Now, the United States is working with this important alliance to strengthen our commitment to the Pacific region once again for the next 20 years. As a Member of Congress from American Samoa, with our high rate of enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces, I recognize that RMI also has numerous U.S. Veterans and military families in their population. I’m confident our special friendship with the Marshall Islands is being strongly affirmed, and we are focused on Congress’s role in preserving and advancing this vital relationship.”
Amata speaking in RMI
Chairman Westerman said, “The United States and our allies will never give in to foreign aggressors. This much was obvious during our visit to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which is home to many U.S. service members. Our military's strategic position on the Island of Kwajalein cannot be understated, nor can our ability to defend our borders and allies from the People's Republic of China. America’s safety and security will never be questioned or threatened by a regime that seeks to undermine the freedoms and democracy we cherish. This is why we will continue to foster and strengthen our special relationship with the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and I look forward to taking what we learned back to D.C.”
During their time in the RMI in Majuro, members met with President of the RMI David Kabua and top RMI government officials to discuss the importance of U.S.-RMI relations. Members also spent time in the island of Kwajalein where they met with members of the U.S. military stationed there and received briefings on the strategic significance of U.S. Army Garrison Kwajalein.
As Committee Chairman, Westerman has prioritized strengthening America's presence in the Indo-Pacific region with the creation of the bipartisan Indo-Pacific Task Force, led by Task Force Chairman Amata (American Samoa) and Co-chairman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (CNMI). The committee and the task force are conducting oversight on issues facing the U.S. Pacific territories and Freely Associated States in the Indo-Pacific region. Westerman led this CODEL of nine Members of Congress to the region to see these issues firsthand and hear from local communities to further understand the threat of the People's Republic of China under the Chinese Communist Party.
See more photos here.
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