[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 59 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL PARK OF AMERICAN SAMOA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 3, 2001

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation 
to make minor adjustments to the boundary of the National Park of 
American Samoa.
  The U.S. territory of American Samoa is located approximately 2,400 
miles southwest of Hawaii, and the National Park of American Samoa is 
located on three separate islands: Tutuila, Ofu and Ta'u. The Islands 
of Ofu and Olosega, portions of which would be added to the park under 
this legislation, are small islands which lie adjacent to each other, 
and are connected by a short bridge.
  In 1998, I received requests from village chiefs from the Villages of 
Sili and Olosega, on the Island of Olosega, to include portions of 
their village lands within the National Park. The chiefs noted the 
important role the Park plays in preserving the natural and cultural 
resources of the territory, and indicated that the village councils 
believe there are significant cultural resources on village lands which 
warrant consideration for addition to the park.
  I asked the National Park Service to conduct a study to determine if 
there were in fact resources on the island which warranted inclusion in 
the park. The Park Service completed a reconnaissance survey of the 
Island of Olosega and of a portion of the Island of Ofu, and reported 
on both. The Service concluded in part:

       ``The archaeological significance of [Olosega Island] 
     cannot be understated. Sites on the ridgeline and terraces 
     may offer an important opportunity for the study and 
     interpretation of ancient Samoa. The number and density of 
     star mounds (31), the great number of modified terraces (46) 
     and home sites (14), the subsistence system, and the 
     artifacts available are all important findings. This is 
     particularly significant in that they were recorded in only 3 
     days of visual surveys on only a portion of the island.''

  The National Park of American Samoa is continuing to develop. 
Established in 1988 by Public Law 100-571, the Park took several years 
to become operational. Today, however, tourists are visiting and school 
teachers are using the Park as an educational resource to help the 
students learn more about Samoan history and culture, the environment, 
and ecological conservation. The Park is preserving the area within its 
boundaries, but as the population grows (there was an estimated 41 
percent increase from 1990 to 2000), considerable pressure is being 
placed on those undeveloped areas. The additions proposed by the 
legislation I am introducing today will preserve important sections of 
the remaining natural cultural resources. Timing is important, and I 
hope to see this legislation enacted into law in the near future.

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