[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 143 (Thursday, November 20, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1656-E1657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF VILLAGE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN AMERICAN SAMOA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2014

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to include, for 
historical purposes, the legislative history of village road 
improvements in American Samoa.

                     [Press Release, Mar. 25, 2004]

 House Transportation Committee Agrees To Increase Highway Funding for 
    Territories and Include $14 Million for Village Road and Other 
                     Improvements in American Samoa

       Congressman Faleomavaega announced that the House Committee 
     on Transportation agreed yesterday to increase federal 
     highway funding for the Territories and include $14 million 
     for village road and other improvements in American Samoa.
       Although this bill still must pass the House and Senate, I 
     am pleased that my

[[Page E1657]]

     good friends Chairman Don Young and Ranking Member Jim 
     Oberstar of the House Transportation Committee have agreed to 
     increase transportation funding for the Territories, 
     Congressman Faleomavaega said. Congresswoman Madeleine 
     Bordallo (Guam), Congresswoman Donna Christensen (VI) and I 
     have worked on this issue for the past year and Congressman 
     Nick Rahall, Ranking Member of the House Resources Committee, 
     has supported our efforts.
       As a result of our work, the Territorial Highway Program 
     (which includes American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands 
     and CNMI) will be increased from $33 million to $40 million 
     for FY04, FY05 and FY06. For FY07, FY08 and FY09, funding 
     will increase to $50 million. Despite the Transportation Act 
     (now known as TEA-LU) being $100 billion less than what was 
     originally proposed, the Territorial set aside will increase 
     by 23.6%.
       Moreover, American Samoa will receive $14 million for high 
     priority projects including village road improvements, 
     drainage mitigation, shoreline protection and upgrades and 
     repairs of the Tau ferry terminal facility. On January 23, 
     2004, I called Governor Togiola to let him know that the 
     Committee had informed me of its intentions and asked that we 
     keep this information confidential until the Committee held 
     its mark-up. The Committee originally intended to hold its 
     mark-up in February but postponed it until March 24, 2004.
       On February 4, 2004, I also wrote to Governor Togiola in 
     response to his January 15, 2004 letter to me. In my letter, 
     I explained that from 1992 to 2003 American Samoa received 
     over $77 million in federal highway funds including $12 
     million I obtained to improve village roads in American 
     Samoa.
       Roads that are not part of the federal highway system are 
     ineligible for funding. This rule applies to every state and 
     territory and includes our village roads. Be that as it may, 
     I fought hard to convince my colleagues that an exception 
     should be made for American Samoa and in 1998 they agreed to 
     support my request for $12 million for village road 
     improvements.
       The 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century is 
     now expiring and Congress is reauthorizing funds for the next 
     six years. Again, the House Transportation Committee has 
     agreed to my request for additional funds for American Samoa. 
     On March 5, 2003, the House Committee on Transportation 
     notified members of Congress that it would accept written and 
     oral testimony regarding requests for funding. On March 5, 
     2003, I wrote Governor Sunia and requested his input. 
     Although I did not hear back from Governor Sunia, I testified 
     and appeared before the Committee.
       Initially, I requested money for a ferry boat and terminal 
     construction as well as funding for our village roads. 
     However, since September 2003, Governor Togiola and I have 
     worked together to obtain funding for the purchase of a 
     vessel for Manua and on January 22, 2004, the House Committee 
     on Transportation informed me that it would be able to grant 
     $14 million of my requests for highway projects in American 
     Samoa. This funding is in addition to our annual federal 
     highway funds.
       In consultation with the Governor, we have set aside $9.4 
     million for village road improvements in the Eastern, 
     Western, Central and Manua districts of American Samoa. In 
     further consultation with Senator Tuaolo Fruean and High 
     Paramount Chief Mauga and members of the Pago Pago council of 
     chiefs, we have also set aside $1 million for drainage 
     mitigation for Pago Pago village roads.
       In consultation with Senator Tago Suilefaiga, 
     Representative Fagasoaia Lealaitafea and Representative Mary 
     Taufetee and members of the Nu'uuli council of chiefs, we 
     have set aside $1 million for shoreline protection and 
     drainage mitigation for Nu'uuli village roads. In 
     consultation with Senator Faamausili Pola and members of the 
     Tau village council of chiefs, we have set aside $1.6 million 
     to upgrade and repair the Tau harbor facility.
       Finally, in consultation with Senator Faiivae Galeai, 
     Senator Lualemaga Faoa and members of the Leone and Malaeloa 
     councils of chiefs, we have set aside $1 million for drainage 
     mitigation for Malaeloa-Leone village roads. Governor Togiola 
     and I thank our local leaders for their support of this 
     historic and important initiative and we are hopeful that the 
     House and Senate will pass this legislation before the 108th 
     Congress adjourns, the Congressman concluded.
                                  ____


                     [Press Release, Apr. 2, 2004]

 House Passes Historic Transportation Bill and Includes Faleomavaega's 
  Request of Additional $14 Million for Village Road Improvements in 
                             American Samoa

       Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that by a vote of 
     357 to 65 the House passed H.R. 3550, the Transportation 
     Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU) which increases 
     federal highway funding for the Territories and includes an 
     additional $14 million for village road and other 
     improvements in American Samoa. The Senate has already passed 
     its version of TEA-LU and the bill will now go to conference 
     in May after which time it is expected that the President 
     will sign it into law.
       Once signed into law, the Territorial Highway Program 
     (which includes American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands 
     and CNMI) will be increased from $33 million to $40 million 
     for FY04, FY05 and FY06. For FY07, FY08 and FY09, funding 
     will increase to $50 million. Despite the Transportation Act 
     (now known as TEA-LU) being $100 billion less than what was 
     originally proposed, the Territorial set aside will increase 
     by 23.6%.
       In addition to our share of funds from the Territorial 
     Highway Program, American Samoa will receive an extra $14 
     million for high priority projects including village road 
     improvements, drainage mitigation, shoreline protection, and 
     upgrades and repairs of the Tau ferry terminal facility. At 
     this time, I want to thank my good friends, Chairman Don 
     Young and Ranking Member Jim Oberstar, of the House 
     Transportation Committee for agreeing to my requests to 
     increase American Samoas annual funding and to include an 
     extra $14 million for our village road improvements and other 
     high priority projects, Congressman Faleomavaega said.
       Regarding our funding, I believe it is important to explain 
     how Congress authorizes transportation funds. Simply put, a 
     federal gas tax is collected nationally to fund the 
     transportation bill. Residents of American Samoa and other 
     territories are not required to contribute to this fund or 
     pay federal gas taxes. Although we pay no federal gas taxes, 
     Congress provides for our transportation needs by way of a 
     direct-set aside for the Territories and this is known as the 
     Territorial Highway Program.
       Since 1992, American Samoa has received more than $77 
     million in federal highway transportation funds including $12 
     million I obtained in 1998 to improve village roads in 
     American Samoa. Roads that are not part of the federal 
     highway system are ineligible for funding. This rule applies 
     to every state and territory and includes our village roads. 
     Be that as it may, I fought hard to convince my colleagues 
     that an exception should be made for American Samoa and in 
     1998 I was able to get $12 million for Village Road 
     Development on the islands of Tutuila and Manua.
       This was the first time that Congress ever agreed to let 
     federal highway funds be used for constructing roads that are 
     not part of the federal highway system and I am pleased that 
     Congress acted favorably on my request. The 1998 
     Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century is now 
     expiring and Congress is reauthorizing funds for the next six 
     years. As of today, the House has now agreed to support my 
     request to provide American Samoa with an additional $14 
     million over the next six years for village roads and other 
     transportation improvements.
       In consultation with Governor Togiola, we have set aside 
     $9.4 million for village road improvements in the Eastern, 
     Western, Central and Manua districts of American Samoa. In 
     further consultation with Senator Tuaolo Fruean and High 
     Paramount Chief Mauga and members of the Pago Pago council of 
     chiefs, we have also set aside $1 million for drainage 
     mitigation for Pago Pago village roads.
       In consultation with Senator Tago Suilefaiga, 
     Representative Fagasoaia Lealaitafea and Representative Mary 
     Taufetee and members of the Nuuli council of chiefs, we have 
     set aside $1 million for shoreline protection and drainage 
     mitigation for Nuuli village roads. In consultation with 
     Senator Faamausili Pola and members of the Tau village 
     council of chiefs, we have set aside $1.6 million to upgrade 
     and repair the Tau harbor facility.
       Finally, in consultation with Senator Faiivae Galeai, 
     Senator Lualemaga Faoa and members of the Leone and Malaeloa 
     councils of chiefs, we have set aside $1 million for drainage 
     mitigation for Malaeloa-Leone village roads. Again, Governor 
     Togiola and I thank our local leaders for their support of 
     this historic and important initiative.
       I also thank Chairman Don Young (Republican from Alaska) 
     and Ranking Member Jim Oberstar (Democrat from Minnesota) of 
     the House Committee on Transportation as well as the 
     Honorable Nick Rahall, Ranking Member of the House Committee 
     on Resources, for their support of increased funding for the 
     Territories. I also commend Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo 
     (Guam) and Congresswoman Donna Christensen (VI) who have also 
     worked tirelessly to increase funds for the Territorial 
     Highway Program.
       Out of 422 members of the House who voted today, 357 
     overwhelmingly voted to support this historic legislation. In 
     other words, its not about whose in the majority. It takes 
     both Democrats and Republicans to get the job done. It also 
     takes seniority and this is why I am thankful that the people 
     of American Samoa have trusted me time and time again to get 
     the job done for them. With your continued support and 
     prayers, I am hopeful that our increases and add-ons will be 
     supported when the House and Senate meet in May to conference 
     this bill, the Congressman concluded.

                          ____________________