Amata Welcomes $2 Million in Federal Resources for American Samoa

Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed $2 million in federal funds for American Samoa.

"This is great news for American Samoa," said Aumua Amata. "These federal funds support important local efforts, including emergency preparedness for all kinds of possibilities, such as major storms like Gita."

These federal resources are designated from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in two separate grants: A $1 million grant through the State Homeland Security Program, and an Emergency Management Performance Grant of $907,832.

"Thank you to Secretary of Homeland Security Kirsten Nielsen," continued Congresswoman Amata. "The Homeland Security Department has an enormous job protecting and preparing potential response efforts in hundreds of places at once, and it good to see these useful preparations here in American Samoa, so our services can be ready to react as needed."

The $1 million State Homeland Security grant will support planning, organization, equipment, training and exercises to deal with catastrophic events ranging from terrorism to natural causes. Similarly, the Emergency Management Performance grant, also nearly $1 million, will assist the Territory in preparing for a variety of hazard scenarios to protect life and property.

"Thank you especially to every one of our first responders in any service that would be called into action in situations of threat or disaster," concluded Amata. "Your willingness to take on potentially hazardous assignments is heroic."

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