Aumua Welcomes AS Students to Washington DC

Fa'asamoa

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed students from American Samoa, who were in Washington, DC as part of the Close Up program.

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"What a pleasure it is to have these future leaders of American Samoa here in Washington," said Amata. "It always gives me such hope and optimism regarding our community's future when I see our young people getting involved and learning about our system of government. As the Member of Congress who represents American Samoa, I am honored to have these young leaders here representing our island," continued Amata.

Following a tour of the U.S. Capitol building, Amata welcomed the students to her office in the House Longworth building for lunch and a photo, while the Congresswoman shared some her experiences and the knowledge she has gained during her years of service to the people of American Samoa.

The group of students and faculty included:

Faculty: Ane Tofili, Donna Mataese, and Neeha Masoli.

Students: Aioise O. Talamoni, Bennieg H. Skelton, Fairlynn Kelemete, Inny Mareko,
Josephine Tagaloa, Lauilefue Ah Vui, Miriama Misitana, Nuanua Luli, Ambika Murali,
Blessing Mika, Grace Scanlan, John Ma'a, Jupytericharianna V. Lotulelei, Lefili Vaoga, Moeilemalaetele Filoialii, Osana Esekia, Anthony Solaita, Charlene Sooaemalelagi,
Harmony Turituri, Joseph Faatiga, Justine T. Gago, Meshak Gaisoa, Nora-Ann Lotoaso, and
Roseta Siaulaiga.

Founded in 1971, the Close Up programs' mission is to, "inform, inspire, and empower young people to exercise the rights and accept the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy."

"I want to thank all of those involved with the Close Up program for the work they do in educating our young people about the importance of actively participating in our democracy, and the extraordinary opportunity they provide these young minds to experience our nations' government in action," concluded Amata.

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Fa'afeiloa'i e Faipule Amata Fanau Aoga a Amerika Samoa i le Laumua

Sa fa'afeiloa'ia e le afioga i le Faipule o le Konekeresi o Aumua Amata alo ma fanau aoga a Amerika Samoa i le Laumua i Uosigitone o se vaega o le porokalama o vaitu'uaga o Close Up.

Saunoa Amata, "E ese lagona fa'agae'etia i le vaai atu i nei lupe o le foaga o ta'ita'i o le lumana'i o Amerika iinei i le laumua o le Malo Tele. O taimi uma lava ou te va'ai ai i le lalovaoa o le atunu'u o tausinio i mea tau aoaoga a lo tatou malo, e tupu a'e le fa'amoemoe ma le mautinoa ua taoto mai ata o Taulelei i se lumana'i manuia. Taluai o a'u o le Sui Faipule o Amerika Samoa i upufai o malo a le Malo Tele, o se fa'aeaea maualuga le feiloa'i ma ta'ita'i o le lumana'i o si o tatou atunu'u i le laumua."

Ina ua mae'a ona fa'amaimoa fanau aoga mai Amerika i le Maota Fono o le Malo Tele, sa soso'o loa ma le maimoaga i le Ofisa o le Faipule i le House Longworth mo se fa'aafe o se taumafataga o le aoauli ma se pu'egaata, a o fa'asoa atu le Faipule i lona tomai masani ma lona silafia i tausaga o lana tautua mo tagata o Amerika Samoa.

O le faigamalaga e aofia Faiaoga ma Tamaiti Aoga:

Faiaoga: Ane Tofili, Donna Mataese, ma Neeha Masoli.

Tamaiti Aoga: Aioise O. Talamoni, Bennieg H. Skelton, Fairlynn Kelemete, Inny Mareko, Josephine Tagaloa, Lauilefue Ah Vui, Miriama Misitana, Nuanua Luli, Ambika Murali, Blessing Mika, Grace Scanlan, John Ma'a, Jupytericharianna V.Lotulelei, Lefili Vaoga, Moeilemalaetele Filoiali'I, Osana Esekia, Anthony Solaita, Charlene So'oa'emalelagi, Harmony Turituri, Joseph Fa'atiga, Justine T. Gago, Meshak Gaisoa, Nora-Ann Lotoaso, ma Roseta Siaulaiga.