Amata Participates in Asia & Pacific Subcommittee Hearing

Washington, D.C. –Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, was invited by Matt Salmon (AZ-05) Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia & the Pacific, to participate in a hearing last Friday entitled, U.S. Policy in the Pacific: The Struggle to Maintain Influence.

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During the hearing, the subcommittee addressed several pressing issues in the region including, foreign assistance, compacts of free association, China’s growing influence in the region, and most importantly the South Pacific Tuna Treaty, which was successfully negotiated on the same day.

The Congresswoman took the opportunity to question the State Department official Mr. Matthew J. Matthews, on the negotiations for the South Pacific Tuna Treaty, which were ongoing at that time. “I understand that the U.S. Tuna Treaty negotiations, which are going on right now, are reaching a critical stage. I trust you realize how important the successful conclusion of these negotiations is to American Samoa. The Treaty is vital for fishing access by U.S. vessels, many of which land their fish in American Samoa. Can you please assure me that the State Department is doing all it can to finalize a new Treaty which provides a viable future for the U.S. fleet?” questioned Amata during the hearing.

The witnesses for the hearing included, Mr. Matthew J. Matthews, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands/ Senior Official for APEC, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State; and Ms. Gloria Steele, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia, U.S. Agency for International Development.

The Congresswoman also took time to state her support for the U.S.-Palau Compact, which was ratified in 1993 and renewed in 2010. Although there has been bipartisan support for continued assistance to Palau, Congress has yet to approve the renewal agreement, largely for budgetary reasons. “I fully support my colleague Mr. Sablan’s bill H.R. 4531, which would rectify this long outstanding agreement and continue the United States long tradition of honoring the pacts it signs,” stated Amata. “I look forward to further addressing the issue when the bill is brought before the House Natural Resources Committee next week,” continued Amata.

“I want to thank Chairman Salmon for inviting me to be here to participate in this hearing that is so important to the people of American Samoa,” stated Amata. “I look forward to continuing to work with all relevant committees that affect the fishing industry in American Samoa,” continued Amata. “I know that with the successful outcome of the negotiations, and my legislation, which I expect to move through Congress very soon, we can ensure that our canneries are provided with a continuous supply of fish,” concluded Amata.

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