[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 11 (Friday, January 26, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INDIGENOUS CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR AWARD AWARDED TO GOV. A.P. 
                   LUTALI, GOVERNOR OF AMERICAN SAMOA

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, all Americans, including those of 
us in the Congress, are concerned about the destruction of rainforests 
that is occurring all over the world. The rainforests constitute unique 
and irreplaceable ecosystems sometimes called the lungs of the Earth. 
In addition to their function in replenishing the Earth's atmosphere, 
the rainforests provide essential protection against global warming, 
contain hundreds of plants found nowhere else on Earth, house many 
animals unique to the rainforests alone, and provide protection against 
destruction of coral reefs and marine life. I would like to call my 
colleagues' attention to a unique effort to save these vital systems 
and to an individual who is being honored for his own efforts to save 
the rainforests.
  Gov. A.P. Lutali of American Samoa has been selected to receive this 
year's Seacology Foundation Award as the Indigenous Conservationist of 
the Year in recognition of his superb efforts to preserve the 
rainforest and indigenous Samoan culture. Governor Luitali's successes 
include leading the effort to create the National Park of American 
Samoa. He is also responsible for passage of an act to protect the 
American Samoa Flying Fox. Neither of these achievements would have 
occurred without Governor Lutali.
  Seacology Foundation is a nonprofit foundation founded to help 
protect island ecosystems and island cultures. Seacology scientist 
include experts in endangered species, island flora and fauna, and 
island ecosystems. Hundred percent of the money donated to Seacology 
goes directly to building schools, hospitals, installing safe water 
supplies, and meeting other needs of the rainforest villagers so that 
they will not have to sell off the rainforest to survive. Seacology 
scientists donate their time as well.
  I congratulate Governor Lutali and the Seacology Foundation for all 
of their efforts. I ask that the letter from Paul Alan Cox, Ph.D., 
chairman of the board of Seacology Foundation to Governor Lutali be 
printed in the Record.
  The letter follows:

                                     The Seacology Foundation,

                                Springville, UT. October 24, 1995.
     Gov. A.P. Lutali,
     Office of the Governor, American Samoa Government, Pago Pago, 
         American Samoa.
       Dear Governor Lutali: On behalf of the Board of Directors 
     and the Scientific Advisory Board of the Seacology 
     Foundation, it gives me great pleasure to inform you that you 
     have selected as the 1995 Indigenous Conservationist of the 
     Year. This award, believed to be the only one of its kind in 
     the world, annually recognizes an indigenous person who has 
     demonstrated heroic efforts in protecting the environment. 
     The Seacology Foundation invites you, at our expense, to 
     attend an award dinner in your honor and a presentation 
     ceremony in Provo, Utah to receive your award, which will 
     consist of an engraved plaque and a cash award of $1,000. 
     Lorraine Clark, Executive Associate Director of the Seacology 
     Foundation, will be in touch with Rob Shaffer from your staff 
     to arrange a convenient date for this event.
       In making this award, the Seacology Foundation wishes to 
     recognize your personal courage and foresight in protecting 
     the rainforests and wildlife of American Samoa. You have 
     demonstrated your commitment to conservation in many 
     different ways. Examples of your environmental leadership 
     include passage of an act to protect flying foxes, including 
     the rare Samoan Flying Fox, Periopus samoensis, or pe'avao by 
     the Territorial Legislature of American Samoa. Your 
     leadership was crucial in passing this legislation, which is 
     believed to be the first legislation enacted by any Pacific 
     island government to protect flying foxes. Because of your 
     example, many other island governments have now enacted 
     similar legislation.
       Even more impressive was your visionary foresight in 
     establishing the 50th National Park of the United States of 
     America, the National Park of American Samoa. It was your 
     leadership and your vision that brought together a coalition 
     of Samoan school children, villagers, matai and other 
     traditional community leaders, territorial officials, 
     scientists, conservationists, and U.S. Congressmen to create 
     a new future for the people of American Samoa. You personally 
     held meetings with key scientists and village leaders, you 
     personally hosted a distinguished congressional delegation in 
     Samoa, you personally traveled to Washington, D.C. to testify 
     on behalf of the park and you personally provided leadership 
     at every phase to assure passage of the enabling legislation. 
     You exercised this leadership without any concern for its 
     potential impact on your political future. Because of your 
     selflessness and bi-partisan approach, the American Samoa 
     National Park Bill became one of the first national park 
     bills to pass both houses of the United States Congress 
     without a single dissenting vote. You played a key role in 
     guaranteeing that the aspirations and well being of Samoan 
     villages were paramount in the enabling legislation. Unique 
     land acquisition techniques, revolving around long term 
     leases, were used under your direction. Village chiefs were 
     guaranteed important roles in formulating park policy. The 
     Samoan language and culture are to be highlighted in all park 
     activities. As a result of your foresight, American Samoa 
     will have a national park that will preserve both Samoan 
     wildlife and Samoan culture.
       Many other examples of your conservation leadership could 
     be cited. The Territorial Division of Wildlife and Marine 
     Resources under your leadership has made important progress 
     in evaluating and protecting the wildlife of American Samoa. 
     Coastal Zone Management has flourished under your leadership. 
     But perhaps most important has been your quiet personal 
     example. You quietly led an effort to re-introduce the rare 
     Samoa toloa or duck to your home island of Annu'u. The crack 
     of dawn has frequently found you on your hands and knees 
     weeding the garden plot in front of the territorial offices. 
     Many have seen you picking up rubbish and doing your own part 
     as private citizen to beautify the exquisite islands of 
     American Samoa.
       Because of your stellar service, both public and private to 
     conservation, and because of the tremendous example of 
     dedication and courage that you have set for your own 
     people--the Polynesian Islanders--and for indigenous peoples 
     throughout the world, the Seacology Foundation is pleased to 
     bestow upon you the most distinguished award for indigenous 
     conservation in the world by naming you Indigenous 
     Conservationist of the Year 1995. We offer you our sincere 
     appreciation for your tremendous devotion to protecting this 
     planet.
           Warmest personal regards,
                                     Nafanua Paul Alan Cox, Ph.D.,

     Chairman of the Board.

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