[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E187-E188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO GOVERNOR LUTALI

                                 ______


                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 1996

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, all Americans, including those of us 
in Congress, are concerned about the destruction of the rain forests 
that is occurring all over the world. The rain forests constitute 
unique and irreplaceable ecosystems sometimes called the lungs of the 
earth. In addition to their function in replenishing the earth's 
atmosphere, the rain forests provide essential protection against 
global warming, contain hundreds of plants found nowhere else on earth, 
house many animals unique to the rain forests 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 rain forests.
  Seacology Foundation is a nonprofit foundation founded to help 
protect island ecosystems and island cultures. Seacology scientists 
include experts in endangered species, island flora and fauna, and 
island ecosystems. One hundred percent of the money donated to 
Seacology goes directly to building schools, hospitals, installing safe 
water supplies, and meeting the other needs of the indigenous people 
who live near the rain forests so that these people will not have to 
sell off the rain forest to survive. Seacology scientists donate their 
time as well.
  The Honorable A.P. Lutali, Governor of American Samoa, has been 
selected to receive this year's Seacology Foundation Award as 
``Indigenous Conservationist of the Year'' in recognition of his superb 
efforts to preserve the Samoan rain forest and indigenous Samoan 
culture. Governor Lutali's efforts include responsibility for passage 
of an act to protect the American Samoa flying fox and our joint work 
to create the U.S. National Park in American Samoa. As a letter from 
Seacology Foundation to Governor Lutali notifying him of the award 
explains, neither of these achievements would have occurred without the 
Governor's strong leadership and support.
  I congratulate Governor Lutali and the Seacology Foundation for all 
of their efforts and I am submitting for the record a copy of a letter 
from Paul Alan Cox, Ph.D, chairman of the board of Seacology Foundation 
to Governor Lutali for review by my colleagues.

                                                 October 24, 1995.
     Governor 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 been 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, Pteropus samoensis, or pe'a vao 
     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 own political future. Because of 
     your selflessness and bi-partisan approach, the American 
     Samoa National Park Bill became one of the first 

[[Page E188]]
     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 
     Samoan toloa or duck to your home island of Aunu'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 a 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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