[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 23, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H3540-H3543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING RAISING OF UNITED STATES FLAG IN AMERICAN 
                                 SAMOA

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 443), expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives with regard to the centennial of the raising of the 
United States flag in American Samoa, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 443

       Whereas the people of American Samoa have inhabited Tutuila 
     and the Manu'a Islands for at least 3,000 years and developed 
     a unique and autonomous seafaring and agrarian culture, 
     governing themselves through their own form of government;
       Whereas in 1722, Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen became the 
     first European to sight--but not land on--the shores of the 
     Samoan Islands, islands which remained isolated for another 
     46 years because Roggeveen miscalculated their location;
       Whereas in 1768, French explorer Louis Antoine de 
     Bougainville, the second European to sight the Samoan 
     islands, became so impressed with the sailing skills of the 
     natives he named the islands ``L'Archipel des Navigateurs,'' 
     and for generations thereafter the entire Samoan island group 
     was known to the Western World as the ``Navigator Islands'';
       Whereas in 1787, Frenchman Jean Francois La Perouse landed 
     on the shores of these islands and thus began the ``opening'' 
     of Samoa to the West, with American whalers as the principal 
     group to engage the people of Samoa in trade and commerce, 
     followed from 1830 on by English missionaries;
       Whereas in 1839, as part of a congressionally authorized 
     trip to the Pacific, United States Navy commander Charles 
     Wilkes visited the island of Tutuila and later reported 
     favorably in support of establishing a structured 
     relationship between the island and the United States;
       Whereas on March 2, 1872, Richard Meade, commander of the 
     U.S.S. Narragansett, visited Pago Pago, and, on his own 
     responsibility, made an agreement with High Chief Mauga 
     entitled ``Commercial Regulations, etc.,'' which was 
     submitted to, but never ratified by, the Senate;
       Whereas on February 13, 1878, a ``treaty of friendship and 
     commerce with the people of Samoa'' was proclaimed ratified;
       Whereas on June 14, 1889, a treaty known as the General Act 
     of 1889, between the United States, Germany, and Great 
     Britain, and assented to by the Samoan Government, ``to 
     provide for the security of the life, property and trade of 
     the citizens and subjects of their respective Governments 
     residing in, or having commercial relations with the Islands 
     of Samoa,'' was concluded and later ratified;
       Whereas on December 2, 1899, a tripartite treaty between 
     the United States, Germany, and Great Britain, which provided 
     for the division of the several islands of Samoa, was signed 
     by the three parties in Washington, D.C.;
       Whereas on April 17, 1900, by treaty of cession, the 
     traditional chiefs of the South Pacific Islands of Tutuila 
     and Aunu'u agreed to become a part of the United States in 
     return for protection of their land and culture, and the 
     United States flag was raised on what is now known as the 
     United States Territory of American Samoa;
       Whereas on July 14, 1904, by treaty of cession, His Majesty 
     the King of Manu'a and his traditional chiefs from the 
     Islands of Ta'u, Ofu, and Olosega, agreed to become part of 
     the United States in return for the protection of their land 
     and culture;
       Whereas since that time, the residents of American Samoa 
     have been proud of their affiliation with this great Nation 
     and have demonstrated their loyalty and patriotism in 
     countless ways;
       Whereas April 17 is known as Flag Day in American Samoa and 
     is the biggest holiday in the territory, and is celebrated 
     not only in American Samoa, but throughout the United States 
     wherever there is a sizable Samoan community;
       Whereas American Samoans in Hawaii, California, Nevada, 
     Utah, Alaska, Washington, and other parts of the United 
     States pause each year on this important date to celebrate 
     this monumental occasion in American Samoa's history;
       Whereas the per capita rate of enlistment in the Armed 
     Forces among American Samoans is among the highest in the 
     United States, with hundreds of American Samoans enlisting 
     annually;
       Whereas for decades American Samoa served as a Naval 
     coaling station for United States ships in the Pacific, 
     providing the Nation with what is commonly referred to as the 
     best deep-water harbor in the entire Pacific--a harbor where 
     American ships are protected from severe and sudden tropical 
     storms by natural, high, sloping mountains--a harbor which, 
     in the Nation's youth, served as a critical and crucial 
     refueling and replenishing port for military and commercial 
     interests, enabling the United States to pursue its foreign 
     and commercial policies, logistically unrestrained, 
     throughout the Asian Pacific region;

[[Page H3541]]

       Whereas during World War II, American Samoa was the staging 
     point for 30,000 United States Marines involved in the 
     Pacific theater, with American Samoans serving both as hosts 
     and as fellow soldiers to these Marines via the revered Fita 
     Fita Guard;
       Whereas American Samoa was the first land astronauts from 
     numerous Apollo missions came to upon returning to Earth--
     including astronauts from Apollo 10, Apollo 12, Apollo 13, 
     Apollo 14, and Apollo 17;
       Whereas American Samoa produces more National Football 
     League players per capita than any other State or territory 
     of the United States, with approximately 15 Samoans currently 
     playing professionally;
       Whereas April 17, 2000, will mark the 100th anniversary of 
     American Samoa joining in political, military, and economic 
     union with the United States;
       Whereas local government leaders in American Samoa have 
     been preparing for this centennial celebration for the last 
     three years; and
       Whereas although 100 years have elapsed since the formation 
     of this mutually beneficial relationship, American Samoans 
     today--as did their forebears in 1900--remain deeply thankful 
     and appreciative of the benefits they have received and 
     continue to receive as a result of the unique relationship 
     American Samoa shares with this great Republic, and they are 
     proud that in return for the benefits received under this 
     relationship, they actively contribute economically, 
     militarily, and culturally to the health and well-being of 
     this great Nation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the historical significance of the 
     centennial of the raising of the American flag over the 
     United States Territory of American Samoa;
       (2) acknowledges 100 years of American Samoa's loyalty and 
     service to the United States; and
       (3) reaffirms its commitment to the United States citizens 
     and nationals of American Samoa for improved self-governance, 
     economic development, and the expansion of domestic commerce, 
     consistent with the desires of the people of American Samoa.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Doolittle) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle).
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the resolution offered 
by the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), which 
commemorates the centennial of the raising of the United States flag 
over our South Pacific territory. The resolution also memorializes the 
long-term United States-American Samoa relationship and reaffirms the 
United States support for improved self-governance and economic self-
sufficiency.
  The people of American Samoa have been loyal to the United States for 
the past century. I believe this resolution is one way to recognize 
their consistent loyalty, and I urge all Members to approve the 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Doolittle) for his management of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, 
April 17, 2000 marked the 100th anniversary of the first raising of the 
U.S. flag in the territory that has since become known as American 
Samoa. As best we can determine, it was some 3,000 years ago that my 
ancestors first set foot on the Samoan Islands. As you know, Polynesian 
navigators did not use satellite navigation, or even sextants to guide 
them.
  They found their way across the vast Pacific by following the stars, 
the winds, and the seas. In 1768, the French explorer by the name of 
Louis Antoine de Bougainville, the second European to sight the Samoan 
Islands, became so impressed with the sailing skills of the Samoans 
that he named the islands L'Archipel des Navigateurs. For generations 
thereafter, the entire Samoan Island group was known to the Western 
world as the ``Navigator Islands.''
  Captain Cook once made the remark that he had never been more 
impressed with the fact that from as far North as the Hawaiian Islands, 
and as far south as Aotearoa, New Zealand, and as far East as Rapa Nui 
or the Easter Islands that the settlements were made by Polynesians. I 
might also note, Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, Columbus got lost 
trying to find the new world and mistakenly named the native 
inhabitants of the Islands of the Caribbeans as Indians, because he 
thought he landed in India. At the time of Columbus, we were 
transversing the islands of Oceania--islands that are thousands of 
miles apart but that form the base of our culture and our traditions.
  We had to be good navigators, Mr. Speaker, because Samoa is truly in 
the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. It is so remote that Europeans 
did not sight the islands until 1722. It is said that the Dutch 
explorer, Jacob Roggeveen, first sighted the Samoan Islands. I note 
here, Mr. Speaker, he did not discover the islands. He just sighted the 
islands because we were there already. Ironically, though, he 
miscalculated the location of the islands and they were not seen by 
another European for another 40 years. Even still, the experts did not 
believe it was possible for my ancestors to sail the great distances 
needed to travel between Samoa, the islands of Tahiti, the islands of 
Tonga, and the islands of Hawaii. But, as so often happens, the experts 
were proven wrong.
  In 1987, Mr. Speaker, I played a small part in demonstrating how my 
ancestors traveled between the island groups when I sailed on the 
voyaging canoe Hokule'a. Our navigator for this voyage was a native 
Hawaiian by the name of Nainoa Thompson, probably our first Polynesia 
navigator in about 300 to 400 years. Mr. Speaker, he led us unerringly 
from French Polynesia to the islands of Hawaii using no modern 
navigational equipment. We were guided only by the winds and the seas 
and the stars. We ate the fruits of the sea and drank what the good 
Lord provided through rain.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, the experts have reconsidered and Polynesia is 
once again experiencing a renewal of culture and tradition. You might 
be interested in knowing that the first real links between Samoa and 
the United States began as early as 1839, when, as part of a 
congressionally authorized trip, a U.S. Naval lieutenant by the name of 
Charles Wilkes visited the island of Tutuila and later reported 
favorably in support of an establishment of a structured relationship 
between the islands of Tutuila and the United States.
  It was 39 years later before a treaty of friendship and commerce with 
the people of Samoa was proclaimed ratified. For the next 20 years, 
there were disagreements between the United States, Germany, and Great 
Britain over the administration of the Samoa Islands. The three 
countries tried a condominium approach of administrations set forth in 
the treaty known as the General Act of 1889, but the effort failed 
miserably.
  In December 1899, a tripartite treaty between these same three 
countries divided the several islands of Samoa and the agreement was 
signed in Washington, D.C. Four months later, on April 17, 1900, by 
treaty of cession, the traditional chiefs of the islands of Tutuila and 
Aunu'u agreed to become a part of the United States in return for 
protection of their land and culture, and the United States flag was 
raised on what is now known as the United States Territory of American 
Samoa.

                              {time}  1130

  In 1904, again by treaty of cession, His Majesty, the King of Manu'a, 
and his traditional chiefs from the islands of Ta'u, Ofu, and Olosega 
agreed to become part of the United States in return for the protection 
of their land and their culture.
  The United States has honored its end of these agreements, and the 
Samoan culture remains vibrant and strong in Samoa today. The United 
States has also protected the territory from foreign invasion when it 
was threatened in World War II. In fact, Samoa was a major staging area 
during World War II for U.S. troops.
  Samoans have also been active participants in this U.S.-Samoan 
relationship. In the early years of the relationship, American Samoa 
served as a naval coaling station for the United States ships in the 
Pacific. For decades, American Samoa served as a critical refueling and 
replenishing fort for military and commercial interests, enabling the 
United States to pursue its international and commercial policies.
  During World War II, when foreign powers were aggressively expanding 
spheres of influence in the Pacific, American Samoa was a staging area 
for

[[Page H3542]]

some 30,000 Marines, and American Samoans served also as fellow Marines 
during World War II. To this day, I continue to receive warm letters 
from World War II veterans trying to look up a Samoan friend from that 
period and reminiscing about the warm welcome Samoans provided for 
them.
  American Samoans not only participated in World War II, but in every 
other conflict the United States has been involved in since World War 
I, with enlistment rates as high as any State or territory in our 
Nation.
  Our remote location has at times, even in recent decades, been of 
value to our Nation. Before the space shuttle, astronauts from Apollo 
10, 12, 13, 14, and 17 all first set foot on soil in American Samoa 
before returning home. Our clean air has even been beneficial to our 
Nation. NASA has conducted laser tests between Earth and the moon from 
American Samoa, and the National Weather Service maintains in American 
Samoa one of four stations in the world used to establish how clean air 
really can be.
  Culturally, our songs and dances are known throughout the United 
States, and our local artists are developing their own following. 
Athletically, I feel we are up to the best. With a population of only 
64,000 people, there are approximately 16 Samoans playing professional 
football in the United States. I see a growing number of talented 
teenagers, boys and girls, becoming successfully diverse in a number of 
sports throughout our country.
  Over the last 100 years, American Samoa has moved from a 
decentralized form of government. Now we have an elected governor and a 
congressional representative in this great body.
  House Resolution 443 recounts the history of American Samoa's 
historical relationship with our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank 
the Chairman of the Committee on Resources, the gentleman from Alaska 
(Mr. Young), and the senior democrat on the committee, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. George Miller), for their support on this 
legislation and all those colleagues who agreed to be cosponsors.
  Samoans are a proud people, and American Samoans are very proud to be 
part of the United States. We hope we have given to our Nation as much 
as we have received. The resolution we are considering today recognizes 
that unique 100-year relationship between the two parties. I am honored 
to be American Samoa's representative here in the House of 
Representatives, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
George Miller).
  (Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California asked and was given permission to 
revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my 
colleague for yielding me this time, and I join with my colleagues in 
congratulating the people of American Samoa.
  I support the passage of this resolution, which expresses the sense 
of the House on the occasion of American Samoa's centennial celebration 
of the raising of the U.S. flag in their territory. I am delighted to 
be a cosponsor, and I know many of our colleagues express their support 
for this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for all of the work that 
he does in the Congress, not just on behalf of the people of American 
Samoa and this resolution and so many other activities that he has 
engaged in, but he also shoulders a large responsibility in our 
Committee on Resources, both on many, many Native American issues and 
on our public lands issues, and I thank him for bringing this 
resolution to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise to greet the people of American Samoa with 
a warm Talofa and offer my support for the passage of H. Res. 443 which 
expresses the sense of the House of Representatives on the occasion of 
American Samoa's centennial celebration of raising the U.S. flag in 
their territory. I am delighted to be a cosponsor to this resolution 
and congratulate people of American Samoa on their continuing 
relationship with the United States.
  One hundred years ago, the flag of the United States of America was 
raised on the South Pacific Islands of Tutuila and Aunu'u, what is now 
widely known as American Samoa. It was an act of friendship and 
understanding on behalf of the traditional chiefs of those islands that 
a new relationship with America would be beneficial for their people. 
For America, the sentiment was mutual.
  The warmth and charm of American Samoa was not first witnessed 
however by Americans. Archeologists estimate that the settlement of the 
islands that comprise American Samoa occurred six hundred years before 
Christ. And for the next three thousand years, the inhabitants became 
stewards of the land and masters of the seas. In 1768, a French 
explorer was so impressed with the sailing skills of the natives that 
he named the islands ``L'Archipel des Navigateurs'' or the Navigator 
Islands.
  In 1785, French navigator Jean Francois La Perouse commanded an 
expedition to explore the Pacific. Two years later, in 1787, he landed 
on the shores of the northern coast of Tutuila. This is the first 
recorded landing of foreigners on the islands of American Samoa. This 
encounter marked the ``opening up'' of American Samoa to the outside 
world and they became regular stops along trade routes of whale 
products, sandalwood, and beche-de-mer to China.
  In 1839, the U.S. began to formally acknowledge the need for a 
relationship with the islands of Samoa. Recommendations from Navy 
Commander Charles Wilkes, who visited Samoa, to have a structured 
relationship with Samoa gave rise to increased visits from the U.S. 
military. Eventually, in 1878, a ``treaty of friendship and commerce'' 
with the people of Samoa was ratified by the U.S. Senate. Thus, the 
beginnings of America's connection with the people of Samoa were rooted 
in peace, friendship, and an interest towards improving their economy.
  One hundred years ago, on April 17, 1900, this relationship deepened. 
It is why we are on this floor today--to recognize and celebrate this 
anniversary with the people of American Samoa. Through a treaty of 
cession, American Samoa was brought into the American family and has 
remained a valuable asset to this nation. Their service, sacrifice, and 
contribution to the continuing experiment of democracy is to be 
commended. In turn, our nation continues to assist the development of 
their economy while always being mindful of the importance of tradition 
and culture to their people.
  American Samoan society of years past remains, much as it is today, 
with the leadership and affairs of the island and people entrusted to 
elders and high chiefs. They are the politicians and the negotiators 
for the people. The respect and trust accorded to their elders is an 
aspect of their culture that has stood the test of time. Despite the 
influence of westernization, the wisdom and leadership of their elders 
has kept their culture, traditions, and language intact.
  As members of our American family, men and women of American Samoa 
have served in our military, contributed to the cultural diversity of 
our American community, and they continue to play a part in the 
political discourse of our nation. As much as American Samoa has 
enjoyed its relationship with the U.S., we should be equally grateful 
for their participation in our democracy. Surely, America would not be 
who she is today without the contributions made from the people of 
American Samoa.
  It is an honor and a personal privilege to join the people of 
American Samoa in their centennial celebration and I commend them for 
their demonstrated patriotism throughout the past one hundred years.
  I encourage full support from my colleagues for the passage of H. 
Res. 443.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Gilman), the chairman of the House Committee on 
International Relations, and I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
George Miller) for his kind comments.
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from American Samoa 
for yielding me this time, and I am pleased to rise in support of the 
gentleman's resolution celebrating the independence of American Samoa 
and the raising of the flag, the American flag, over 100 years ago.
  American Samoa has been an important outpost for our Nation in many 
ways. Too often we forget about our Pacific friends as we concentrate 
on some of the European problems and some of the problems in other 
parts of the world. The gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) hosted our congressional delegation not too long ago when 
we all visited, and we had a very warm visit to American Samoa, my 
first visit, and he helped to educate a number of our Congressmen with 
regard to the importance of American Samoa.
  So I am pleased to join with the gentleman in his resolution, Mr. 
Speaker.

[[Page H3543]]

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I certainly would like to thank my 
colleague, the gentleman from New York, for his kind comments.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 443.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ewing). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, permit me to take this opportunity to 
express my thanks to the gentleman from Alaska, Chairman Don Young, and 
the gentleman from American Samoa, Mr. Faleomavaega, for bringing H. 
Res. 443, the Centennial Raising of the American Flag in American 
Samoa, to the floor of the House of Representatives today.
  The United States first made contact with the Samoan Islands in 1839 
as a part of a congressionally authorized naval expedition to the South 
Pacific, led by Commander Charles Wilkes. From this expedition a number 
of agreements and treaties were formed that resulted in President 
McKinley issuing an executive order on February 19, 1900 placing the 
Eastern Group of Samoan Islands under the control of the Department of 
the Navy, establishing the authority of the United States to give the 
islands protection.
  On April 17, 1900 the leaders of the Islands of Tutuila and Anunu'u 
signed instruments of cession to the United States, and the United 
States flag was raised at the United States naval station. Roughly four 
years later the King of Manu'a and the chiefs of the Manu'a Islands 
that now comprise the easternmost islands of American Samoa signed the 
last instrument of cession. In 1929 Congress recognized these acts of 
cession in law and delegated the authority for the administration of 
the islands to the President of the United States.
  As Japan began emerging as an international power in the mid-1930's, 
the U.S. Naval Station on Tutuila began to acquire new strategic 
importance. By 1940, the Samoan Islands had become a training and 
staging area for the U.S. Marine Corps. It was this massive influx of 
Americans that gave Samoans a sudden taste of the benefits of a modern 
western society.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 443 recognizes the historical significance of 
the centennial raising of our flag over the United States Territory of 
American Samoa and reaffirms our commitment to improved self-
governance, economic development and expansion of domestic commerce for 
the United States citizens and nationals of American Samoa.
  One-hundred years later, the flag of our nation remains a beacon of 
hope to the troubled countries of the South Pacific and stands as a 
symbol of freedom and justice in the world.
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time, and urge the Members to support 
the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, House Resolution 443, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the 
yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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