[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 13, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H43-H44]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING REV. SAMUEL TIKERI TIALAVEA OF AMERICAN SAMOA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from 
American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, it is my great honor and pleasure to 
welcome Rev. Samuel Tialavea to the Chamber today. Rev. Tialavea, or 
``Sam'' as he is popularly known in our Samoan community, is from my 
home district in American Samoa.
  Rev. Tialavea is currently the General Secretary of the 
Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa, a position he has 
held now for some 8 years. He was appointed Secretariat of the 
Partnership Consultation Committee on Ministry and Mission of the 
United Church of Christ and the Congregational Christian Church, again, 
a post he has held for some 8 years now. He was ordained in the mid-
1990s, where he became pastor of the Bread of Life Church in Honolulu 
prior to his election as the General Secretary of the CCCAS.
  This is a historic occasion for my district. To my knowledge, Rev. 
Tialavea is the first ever Samoan to give the opening prayer to begin a 
regular House congressional session.
  I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge Rev. Tialavea's lovely 
wife, Fa'aipoipoga, who is present with us in the gallery. Also with 
her to witness this momentous occasion are Rev. Elder Leatulagi 
Faalevao, who is the vice chairman of the Congregational Christian 
Church, and his wife, Vagai; and Rev. Reupena Alo, who is the assistant 
to the General Secretary, and his wife, Deanne.
  It is my distinct honor and privilege again to welcome to the House 
today my good friend, Rev. Samuel Tialavea, Sr.

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