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Amata Hosts First American Samoa Flag Day Celebration on Capitol Hill

July 11, 2016

Keynotes Samoan Culture Day Celebration on Ft. Myer

Washington, D.C. –Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, hosted a Flag Day celebration on Capitol Hill last Friday, turning the House Cannon Caucus Room into one of the islands for a few hours. The Flag Day celebration was scheduled a few months after the actual Flag Day to accommodate for weather and the schedule of the House of Representatives, and was also set in coordination with the local Samoan community in the Washington area, who held their event the following Saturday evening just across the Potomac River on Ft. Myer.

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Flag Day picture collage

Collage of Photos from Friday & Saturday Flag Day Events in Washington, D.C.

“I am thrilled to be able to host this wonderful event,” said Amata. “It is my hope that this celebration will introduce some of my fellow Members of Congress to our beautiful home, some of the customs we practice, and food we eat. By doing so, it will enable them to better understand where we come from, and why it is so essential that we make sure the people of American Samoa are presented with the same opportunities and resources as those in the States,” continued Amata.

The celebration took place in the Cannon House Office Building Caucus Room on Capitol Hill from noon to 2pm. Reverend Meki To’alepai opened the celebration with a prayer and hymn. Following the prayer was the singing of both the United States & American Samoa anthems by Vaiki Pa’au, Neta Vaovasa and Misiogale Pa’au, who sang beautifully for those in attendance.

Following the opening prayer and anthems, Congresswoman Amata spoke to the crowd, about what they would see during the celebration, and the special relationship between the United States and American Samoa stating, “I want to thank you all for coming today, to join us in celebrating the unique and treasured relationship between the United States and my beautiful home islands of American Samoa. We Samoans like to demonstrate our pride in our culture through the Siva. The Siva is the long honored dance of our people and I am sure that we will see many examples of it this afternoon. When combined with rhythmic chants and harmonies called pese malie, you can be sure that a beautiful story is about to be revealed.”

The celebration continued with a short video presentation on the history of the relationship between the U.S. and American Samoa, followed by dancing and the buffet, which included roast pig, sapasui, palusami, and several other traditional Samoan dishes. The dance troupes who performed included, Teine Suau’u Dance Group; Toa Samoa, and the Samoan Language Class. After the dancers entertained the crowd to everyone’s delight, Reverend To’alepai gave the benediction to close the event.

“I want to thank everyone who came today and welcome you all to stop by my office here in Washington, or Pago Pago should you ever need anything, or simply just want to say hello…my door is always open. God bless you all, the United States, and American Samoa,” stated Amata to the large crowd in attendance.

The next evening, across the Potomac River on Ft. Myer, the local Samoan community from the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia region hosted their own event and invited the Congresswoman to participate in the evening’s ceremonies.

The evening began with the presentation of the United States, Independent Samoa, and American Samoan Colors by the Toa O Samoa Color Guard, an opening prayer, and the singing of the United States, American Samoa, and Independent Samoa anthems. Following the opening ceremonies, those in attendance were treated to traditional Samoan dances, including a dance that signifies the sacred Ava Ceremony, meant to welcome newcomers to the islands. During the dancing, guests dined on traditional Samoan cuisine, and a wonderful time was had by all.

Congresswoman Amata would like to acknowledge and send her most heartfelt “Fa’afetai tele lava” to the following groups and individuals for their outstanding support and making this event possible. “I cannot thank you all enough for volunteering to provide food, setup the venue, sing, dance, providing dance uniforms, and helping our office with everything. Ia fa’atutumu e le Atua mea ua fa’agaogaoina ona o lo outou lima foa’i ma le alolofa mai i lenei ofisa vaivai.”

Specifically, the Congresswoman would like to thank:

  • Congressman Sablan (CNMI), and his staff, especially Antoinette Camacho and Harry Masga
  • Congresswoman Bordallo (GU)
  • Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02)
  • Isapela Coggins and the American Samoa Society
  • David Alaga and the Samoan Community
  • Reverend Lalomauga and Saifagaloa Pa’au of Faga’alu (Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa)
  • Reverend Meki To’alepai for leading both of our ceremonies in prayer
  • Dance groups: Toa Samoa, Samoan Language Class, Teine Suau’u Dancers (Vaiki Pa’au, Misiogale Pa’au, Neta Vaovasa, Leafaina Pa’au)
  • American Samoa Historic Preservation Office for providing the video clips and photos
  • Mike Cicale, U.S. House of Representatives, and his crew for the room setup
  • Our Samoan military members and their units
  • District Office Staff, especially:
  • Ola Foster for coordinating with the Am. Samoa Historic Preservation Office
  • Howard “Deenah” Howard for the case of Palusami
  • DC Staff – especially Jared Christel
  • Families and friends who pitched in to help in every way

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Issues:Culture