Amata Speaks at Flag Day Celebration in Adelanto, Calif.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata was delighted to take part in the Samoan Flag Day event in Adelanto, California, at the invitation of Mayor Gabriel Reyes, a friend of the Samoan community, who was on hand to enjoy the festivities at the Adelanto Plaza & Event Center. Amata gave remarks and an update from American Samoa.
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“Wherever I am in the United States, it’s a joy to celebrate with our people their love of our heritage, our culture and our beautiful island homeland,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “I’m delighted it worked out between my travels from American Samoa and Washington, DC, so I could be part of Adelanto’s Flag Day celebration. They had all the anthems and flags of the Samoan people, a tremendous turnout, and we had a wonderful time.”
The Flag Day festivities at the stadium’s field included an Ava ceremony, the Siva, music, plenty of delicious food, cultural expressions and speeches, and even a wrestling ring.
“I loved every minute of seeing a celebration of island culture in the California desert. Adelanto is a thriving community, and while the terrain looks very different from our rainforest, our people there have the same strong, enthusiastic island spirit,” Amata continued.
“Thank you to all our stateside Samoan communities like Adelanto for keeping a special place in your hearts for our traditions,” Amata concluded. “When our people leave our islands, they always carry forward some of the best of our culture, art, food, and music. It is wonderful to know the beauty of our islands remains a vibrant part of their lives. It especially warms my heart to see our Samoan values endure over generations and distances, and we islanders remember faith and family.”
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