Amata Highlights Harbor to Coast Guard Commandant Lunday
Congresswoman Amata pictured with the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, and his wife Lyndalee. They’ve known each other for years, as one of his several prior major command roles was the 14th Coast Guard District, headquartered in Honolulu. The occasion was last week’s early celebration of the upcoming 236th birthday of the Coast Guard, officially on August 4th. While this wasn’t a formal meeting, Congresswoman Amata took time to discuss the merits of Pago Pago Harbor and how the territory would welcome one or more vessels stationed here, as she has publicly stated for years, including in congressional committees. This exchange happened to be timed near the official request by Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula to establish a permanent station and deploy cutters and personnel to American Samoa. Amata has long held that stationing the Coast Guard in American Samoa would be a strong signal of U.S. commitment to the entire region, improving response capabilities and an additional deterrence against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing. She wishes a happy birthday and congratulations to all our active-duty, reserve, retired, and veteran Coast Guard members!
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