[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 17 (Thursday, February 24, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   RECOGNITION OF YOUNG SAMOANS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICA'S FAVORITE 
                                PASTIME

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to recognize the 
exceptional contribution made by young Samoans currently playing 
professional football in the National Football League.
  There are approximately 150,000 Samoans living in Samoa and 
throughout the United States. With 10 of its sons currently playing in 
the NFL, Samoa can rightfully claim that on a per capita basis, it has 
contributed more players to America's favorite pastime than any city or 
State in the Union.
  Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and others struggle at times to pronounce 
my name, and I know many Samoan names are difficult for some people to 
pronounce--but so that others may not struggle as much, let me share 
with our fellow Americans the names and pronunciations of our young 
Samoans currently playing in the National Football League:
  Esera Tuaolo--defensive end--Minnesota Vikings.
  Al Noga--defensive end--Washington Redskins.
  Richard ``Ricky'' Brown--linebacker--Cleveland Browns.
  Pio Sagapolutele--defensive tackle--Cleveland Browns.
  Lonnie Palelei--guard--Pittsburgh Steelers.
  Natu Tuatagaloa--defensive end--Seattle Seahawks.
  Junior Seau--linebacker--San Diego Chargers.
  Jessie Sapolu--center--San Francisco 49'ers.
  Dan Saleaumua--defensive tackle--Kansas City Chiefs.
  Mark Tuinei--offensive tackle--Dallas Cowboys.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to give special recognition to our 
fellow Polynesian brothers from the Pacific who also currently play in 
the NFL. From Tonga are: Siupeli Malamala of the New York Jets; Vai 
Sikahema of the Philadelphia Eagles; Peter Tuipulotu, and Alfred Pupunu 
of the San Diego Chargers. My native Hawaiian brothers include: Kani 
Kauahi of the Phoenix Cardinals; Kurt Gouveia of the Washington 
Redskins; Jeff Pahukoa and Leo Goeas of the Los Angeles Rams.
  Mr. Speaker, I am especially proud of the fact that of the four teams 
that made it to the NFL playoffs in 1993, there were Samoan players on 
three of these teams. I am looking forward to the opportunity once 
again to greet Mark Tuinei, starting offensive tackle of the world 
champion Dallas Cowboys when he and other members of the team travel to 
Washington, DC, to meet with President Clinton. Others who played in 
the 1993 playoffs include: San Francisco 49'ers center, Jessie Sapolu; 
and Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle, Dan Saleaumua.

  I would also like to pay a special tribute to two Samoan players who 
were chosen by their peers to play in last weekend's Pro Bowl in 
Honolulu, Hawaii. But, before I commend these two Samoan pro bowlers, I 
would like to make mention that for those who did not have an 
opportunity to watch the Pro Bowl game, I was pleasantly surprised to 
see that when the referees called for the customary coin toss to 
determine which team would kick-off, who came out but Sumo wrestler 
Akebond, a young native Hawaiian who has now become Yokohuna, or the 
highest rank in Sumo. For my colleagues, I also want to introduce a 
young Samoan American, Konishiki who stands at 6 foot 1 and weighs 
approximately 560 lbs, and also well noted in the Sumo world.
  Returning now to the Pro Bowl, each year players and coaches select 
players from other teams in their conference who they believe are the 
best players at their respective positions. Coaches and players cannot 
pick a member from their own team. This year two Samoans were chosen to 
the Pro Bowl, one from the NFC and one from the AFC. Starting at 
offensive center for the National Football Conference was 6 foot 4, 280 
pounder Jessie Sapolu of the San Francisco 49ers. On the other side of 
the ball, Jessie faced off against a Samoan brother, starting inside 
linebacker for the American Football Conference was 6 foot 3, 250 
pounder, Junior Seau of the San Diego Chargers. Seau who played a whale 
of game, led both the AFC and NFC defenses with a game high nine 
tackles. My congratulations to these two gentlemen for being selected 
by their peers as the best players at their positions.
  Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of these 
young Americans of Samoan ancestry and other parts of the Pacific. They 
provide a sense of inspiration not only to the young people of Samoa, 
but to all young people throughout this great Nation of ours. I 
congratulate them not only for their athletic abilities but for being 
outstanding role models for our young people.

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