[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO PARAMOUNT CHIEF A.U. FUIMAONO

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                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 2008

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Paramount Chief A. U. Fuimaono and express my deepest condolences to 
his children and family on the occasion of his funeral services which 
are being held on September 26, 2008.
  Paramount Chief A.U. Fuimaono was my mentor, and I will always feel 
indebted to him for everything he taught me. To say that he was like a 
father to me is an understatement. Paramount Chief Fuimaono gave me his 
complete trust right from the beginning of our relationship, when he 
selected me to be his Administrative Assistant for his Washington DC 
office from 1973-1975. That was when he became the first elected 
Representative from American Samoa to Washington.
  This great man was one of the traditional leaders who instilled in me 
the passion of being a real and true Samoan in a fast changing world: a 
world filled with political conflicts and cultural contradictions. This 
was at the time when American Samoa was suddenly immersed in the 
national arena of social structuring, traditional maintenance and 
political identity.
  It was a time of upheaval for the people of American Samoa in many 
ways, as they tried to embrace changes and influences from outside, yet 
retain their uniqueness as Samoans at the same time. It was also during 
that time that Fuimaono stood up and was recognized as a natural 
leader; and he was a champion in areas of economy, politics, culture 
and religion.
  One of his most memorable and early advices to me then, and it still 
sounds like it was just yesterday, was: ``Eni, the palagi are convinced 
that for us to move forward, we as Samoans must first learn to crawl, 
then also learn to walk, before we can run. I tell you right now, we do 
not have the time to learn how to crawl; nor do we have the luxury to 
walk. We have to run and run hard with them with whatever we have, 
whatever we can come up with so we could understand and play their 
game; otherwise, it would be too late and we would lose and be left 
out.''
  From the point forward, it was like a baptism by fire for me; like 
jump in, what are you waiting for; we have a lot to do. But Fuimaono 
also pointed out that the simplest way to go about tackling our 
challenges was by having an undying faith in God. Fuimaono firmly 
believed in God's love, and he used that as the basis of everything he 
did. He emphasized the importance of being Samoan as a reality check in 
the often turbulent moments of national and global politics.
  I will not go into Paramount Chief A.U. Fuimaono's outstanding record 
as a pillar in government, private sector, the culture that was so dear 
to him, and the church his faith so firmly treasured. Those will always 
speak for themselves in defining the distinctiveness of the man.
  But if there is anything I want to emphasize about his character, it 
is the immense wisdom he shared with me throughout the years I worked 
for him, and the many times he nourished and encouraged me first as a 
congressional staffer in Washington, and eventually as the delegate 
from American Samoa years later.
  His simple yet honest and direct approach to all issues forged the 
basis of my professional life in Washington. Fuimaono's determination 
for the development of American Samoa and yet his sensitivity to 
protecting the Samoan culture pushed me to strive for that delicate 
balance that can still define us as Samoans yet allows for us to be an 
equal participant under the complex, political system of the United 
States government.
  So when I heard the news of the Paramount Chief's death, there was no 
question in my mind that I needed to go home, and be there, and honor 
his memory, even with the demanding schedule Congress is faced with as 
it works to address the national financial crisis we are now facing. I 
owed it to Fuimaono's children and his family to be in Samoa, if only 
for a day, to pay my personal respects and acknowledge my indebtedness 
to the one person who started it all for me.
  I am most grateful and humbled that this great man had the patience 
and tolerance to help me develop confidence and pride in being Samoan. 
And if there is a last thing I would say of Paramount Chief Fuimaono, 
it is the fact that if it wasn't for his trust and belief in me, I 
would not be where I'm at and the person that I am right now.
  Madam Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not also mention two other 
gentlemen, Roy J.D. Hall, Jr. and Michael F.J. Kruse, who over the 
years Uncle Fui had taken on as his own sons, like me. Roy J.D. Hall, 
Jr., has become a very successful corporate lawyer and also currently 
serves as counselor to the Honorable Lolo L. Moliga, President of the 
American Samoa Senate. The Honorable Michael F.J. Kruse is currently 
the first Samoan-appointed Chief Justice of the High Court of American 
Samoa.
  I am sure there are many others whose lives have been deeply 
influenced by this great Samoan leader, but I can only speak for myself 
and for Roy and for Mike, who now contribute significantly to the needs 
of our Samoan people. We grieve on his passing and, again, I express my 
sincere condolences to Paramount Chief A.U. Fuimaono's children and 
family, and may God through His Everlasting Peace, grant His healing 
grace sooner on the grieving families and people of Samoa.

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