[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 145 (Tuesday, December 2, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1693-E1694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HISTORICAL RECORD OF U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON'S 
  AUTHORIZATION OF EMERGENCY RELIEF SUPPLIES TO SAMOA IN RESPONSE TO 
                          DEVASTATING TSUNAMI

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 2, 2014

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to include, for 
historical purposes, information about former Secretary of State 
Hillary Clinton's authorization of emergency relief supplies to Samoa 
in response to the devastating tsunami of September 29, 2009.

                     [Press Release, Oct. 10, 2009]

    Secretary Clinton Gets It Done; Emergency Relief Supplies To Be 
    Airlifted from Greater Los Angeles Area to Samoa in Response to 
                          Devastating Tsunami

       Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the 
     Global Environment, Congressman Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, and 
     Congresswoman Laura Richardson (D-CA), announced today that 
     the U.S. Department of State called them this morning to 
     inform them that Secretary Clinton has authorized the use of 
     funds from the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) 
     to get emergency relief supplies airlifted from the greater 
     Los Angeles area to Samoa in response to the devastating 
     tsunami that struck Apia on September 29.
       In his capacity as Chairman of the Asia Pacific 
     Subcommittee which has broad jurisdiction for U.S. foreign 
     policy affecting the region, including Samoa, Chairman 
     Faleomavaega personally spoke to Secretary Clinton on Oct 1 
     and, in letters dated Oct 4 and Oct 5, followed up with her 
     regarding the specific need to airlift emergency supplies to 
     Apia, which were gathered by the Samoan communities and 
     congregations in the greater Los Angeles area.
       The Samoan communities in the greater Los Angeles directly 
     contacted Faleomavaega for assistance because many of their 
     families and relatives live in his district of American Samoa 
     or Samoa. Congresswoman Laura Richardson has worked closely 
     with Faleomavaega throughout this process given that she 
     represents part of the greater Los Angeles area, and the 
     Samoan communities living in that area are her constituents.
       ``I want to personally thank Secretary Clinton for her 
     untiring efforts in getting these relief supplies 
     airlifted,'' Chairman Faleomavaega said. ``Since the tsunami 
     struck, Secretary Clinton has spared no effort in coming to 
     our aid, and even called upon the U.S. Department of Defense 
     (DOD) to quickly move these supplies from the West Coast to 
     Samoa. Last evening, Congresswoman Richardson and I learned 
     that DOD had agreed to move the supplies but that due to 
     legalities of moving privately-donated goods, the process 
     would take too long.''
       ``In a previous conference call yesterday, anticipating 
     that DOD might be unable to quickly move these supplies, we 
     requested the State Department to fund a commercial flight 
     through the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance should we 
     encounter any problems with DOD,'' Faleomavaega and Rep. 
     Richardson said. ``Last night, upon learning that the DOD 
     process would take too long and in consideration of our 
     request for a more immediate airlift, Secretary Clinton 
     assessed the options while en route to Europe, and this 
     morning the State Department informed us that Secretary 
     Clinton has agreed to fund the flight with OFDA funds.''
       ``The agreement is that this will be a one-time airlift, 
     and our Samoan communities should make future donations in 
     cash, rather than in commodities. We will not be able to 
     airlift frozen goods, and our offices will work closely with 
     the communities to gather the supplies to a central location 
     for the airlift. Also, the airlift provided by the U.S. 
     Department of State can only be authorized to land in Samoa. 
     While we were also hopeful to get supplies in to American 
     Samoa, all matters relating to American Samoa are decided 
     between the Governor and FEMA, according to federal law.''

[[Page E1694]]

       ``I know from my meeting earlier this week with Prime 
     Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi that he is thankful to 
     the Samoan congregations and communities in the greater Los 
     Angeles area who responded from the heart by collecting 
     critical supplies that will now be airlifted to those in 
     need,'' Faleomavaega said. ``For this reason, I want to thank 
     the Prime Minister for agreeing to accept this gift, and I 
     also want to thank Reverend Liki Tiatia, Reverend John Mailo, 
     Reverend Misipouena Tagaloa, and High Chief Loa Pele Faletogo 
     for all the good work they have done. Reverend Tiatia and 
     Reverend Mailo will be taking a flight to Samoa to make the 
     presentation to the Government of Samoa on behalf of our 
     Samoan community on the West Coast and also on behalf of 
     Congresswoman Richardson and myself.''
       ``I especially want to thank Congresswoman Richardson for 
     working around the clock in support of our Samoan communities 
     living in her district, and in Samoa and American Samoa,'' 
     Faleomavaega continued. ``Congresswoman Richardson has stood 
     by us every step of the way and has left no stone unturned in 
     getting this done. She has been staunch and solid in her 
     dedication to us, and has earned her rightful place in our 
     hearts. It is my honor to welcome Congresswoman Richardson 
     into our Pacific Island family.''
       ``With so many people in need of basic supplies in Samoa, 
     it has been a privilege to work with Chairman Faleomavaega to 
     assist the people of my district in making sure the items 
     they have collected will soon be in the hands of their 
     families and friends,'' Congresswoman Richardson said. ``This 
     feat is only possible because of the dedication of Chairman 
     Faleomavaega and Secretary Clinton. Over 60 local 
     organizations in the 37th district of California, including 
     church groups, non-profit organizations and caring others 
     collected over 100,000 pounds of essential items to send to 
     victims of the tragedy that recently occurred. The lives of 
     thousands of Samoans will be immediately and directly 
     improved by the actions taken by Secretary Clinton, Chairman 
     Faleomavaega and all of us who answered the call to help. I 
     am proud to be a part of this exceptional team.''
       ``It is clear that change has come and that Secretary 
     Clinton is restoring America's stature once again, especially 
     in a part of the world that the U.S. has too long neglected. 
     We thank Secretary Clinton for her leadership and commitment, 
     and for standing with the people of Samoa when they need her 
     most, and we continue to extend our deepest condolences to 
     the families and friends of those who are suffering so 
     much,'' Faleomavaega and Rep. Richardson concluded.

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