[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 146 (Wednesday, December 3, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1726-E1727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HISTORICAL RECORD OF U.S. ARMY RESERVE FACILITY IN AMERICAN SAMOA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 3, 2014

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to include, for 
historical purposes, information about the U.S. Army Reserve Facility 
in American Samoa.

                     [Press Release, July 20, 2000]

 U.S. Army Reserve Gets Approval to Construct $20 Million Facility at 
                             Tafuna Airport

       Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Federal 
     Aviation Administration (FAA) is ready to release to the 
     American Samoa Government 6.5 acres of land at the Tafuna 
     Airport so that the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) can begin 
     construction of its new $20 million training facility.
       There was considerable amount of time spent on discussions 
     between my office, the FAA and the USAR to work out this 
     deal, and I am just glad that we have resolved it, 
     Faleomavaega said. With this agreement from the FAA, the ASG 
     and USAR can now begin the process to secure the property and 
     enter into detailed lease negotiations.
       As it now stands, the FAA has agreed to release the land 
     from Federal obligation and redesignate the property for non-
     aeronautical purposes. The FAA has also agreed to extend a 
     55-year lease to USAR. For its part, USAR has agreed to pay 
     fair-market value for the property. Its a win-win for 
     everybody, Faleomavaega said. Prior to this agreement, the 
     airport stood to lose Federal funding if ASG leased the site 
     to USAR at a nominal lease rate. Now that the military has 
     agreed to pay fair-market value, the airport will retain its 
     right to Federal funding and will still receive fair-market 
     rates from USAR. In turn, the military will be able to 
     construct its $20 million facility on a site that is best-
     suited to meet the training needs of our troops.
       All that's left is for ASG to submit a formal request to 
     the FAA Airports Division, Western-Pacific Region to release 
     the said property, Faleomavaega said. In fact, Mr. Herman C. 
     Bliss, Manager of the FAA Western Division has already been 
     notified to expedite the handling of this FAA request and to 
     coordinate with ASG the preparation and submission of the 
     release. Beyond the details of the lease agreement, 
     Faleomavaega also noted Senator Inouyes involvement in 
     securing funds for construction of the new military facility 
     in American Samoa. Senator Inouye and I have worked on this 
     project for the past five years, Faleomavaega said. I am 
     confident this facility will be both a boon to our economy 
     and a much-needed and welcome operation.
       I thank Senator Inouye for his commitment and assistance 
     and I also thank Governor Tauese and his staff for their 
     support in getting this project underway, Faleomavaega said. 
     I think it's fair to say that we're all looking forward to 
     groundbreaking and to renewed and strengthened relations with 
     the United States Army Reserve.
                                  ____


                     [Press Release, Feb. 8, 2006]

 Faleomavaega Recommends that New Army Reserve Center be Name in Honor 
                      of the Late SFC Konelio Pele

       In response to recent inquiries from the press and public, 
     Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that on January 25, 
     2006 and also on April 7, 2004 he wrote a letter to Brigadier 
     General John Ma, Commanding General, 9th Regional Readiness 
     Command, in Hawaii recommending that the newly built $20 
     million U.S. Army Reserve Center in Tafuna, American Samoa be 
     named in honor of the late Sergeant First Class (SFC) Konelio 
     Pele. I am pleased that in the January 30, 2006 issue of 
     Samoa News, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Mapu Jamias 
     announced on behalf of our local Veterans of Foreign Wars 
     that they were also recommending that the new Army Reserve 
     Center be named in honor of SFC Konelio Pele. I was unaware 
     that our veterans made the same recommendation but I am 
     pleased by this outcome, Congressman Faleomavaega said.
       SFC Konelio Pele was assigned to the Alpha Company, 3rd 
     Brigade, 25th Infantry Division based in Hawaii and was 
     deployed in Vietnam under the command of Major General 
     Carpenter. On July 25, 1966, SFC Konelio Pele was awarded the 
     Silver Star, the third highest medal for valor, for his 
     gallant service in the field of battle during the Vietnam 
     War. SFC Pele served in three wars and was awarded a Bronze 
     medal, two Purple Hearts, and three Combat Infantryman 
     Badges.
       On July 25, 1966, the Department of the Army issued General 
     Orders: Number 4997 awarding SFC Konelio Pele the Silver Star 
     for his actions on May 29, 1966. The citation states: 
     Sergeant First Class Pele distinguished himself on 29 May 
     1966 while serving as a platoon sergeant securing a landing 
     zone in the Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam. When his 
     platoon moved out from the landing zone to render assistance 
     to other elements of the company that were pinned down by a 
     large Viet Cong force, Sergeant First Class Pele repeatedly 
     exposed himself to the intense hostile fire as he maneuvered 
     his platoon. During the course of action, he singlehandedly 
     charged a Viet Cong machine gun emplacement, killed two of 
     the crew members with his rifle, and caused the remaining 
     insurgents to flee. After he covered the evacuation of the 
     dead and wounded, he carried the hostile machine gun and 
     ammunition through the bullet swept area to friendly 
     positions. When he returned to the landing zone, he realized 
     that a wounded member of his platoon had been left behind. 
     Sergeant First Class Pele, with complete disregard for his 
     safety, moved several hundred meters across open terrain, 
     found his fallen comrade, and carried him back to be 
     evacuated. Through his heroic efforts, the Viet Cong were 
     defeated in that area. Sergeant First Class Pele's 
     extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically 
     superior Viet Cong force was in keeping with the highest 
     traditions of the military service and reflects great credit 
     upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
       SFC Pele's action is a pure example of personal courage. 
     His unit and the U.S. Army recognized his selfless actions 
     and for this reason he was awarded the Silver Star. It is my 
     understanding that SFC Pele was also recommended for the 
     Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions but there 
     were problems in processing the paperwork

[[Page E1727]]

     through the higher command and his recommendation never made 
     it through. I feel that SFC Pele was not awarded the full 
     recognition that he deserved, Congressman Faleomavaega said.
       In fact, SFC Pele's combat record reminds me of some 52 
     recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross Award that were 
     presented to the Japanese-American soldiers who fought in 
     Europe during World War II. There was only one Medal of Honor 
     awarded to the brave Japanese-American soldiers who 
     sacrificed so much during World War II, despite the 
     tremendous amount of bigotry and racism brought against these 
     Japanese-American Citizens.
       As I recall, in 1996, Senator Daniel Akaka authored a 
     provision in the Defense Authorization Act mandating a review 
     of the service records of the 52 recipients who received the 
     Distinguished Service Cross. As a result, 19 additional 
     Medals of Honor were awarded to our Japanese-American 
     veterans including Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii.
       I believe that SFC Peles record is very similar to that of 
     our Japanese-American veterans and I feel that it is only 
     appropriate to request the Department of Defense to review 
     his actions during the Vietnam War and it is my intention to 
     consult closely with Senator Daniel Akaka on this matter. We 
     will explore all options on how best to reexamine SFC Peles 
     war record, and see if he should be awarded the Congressional 
     Medal of Honor.
       At the same time, I am also recommending that our new Army 
     Reserve Center be named in honor of SFC Pele. SFC Pele lived 
     his life to the fullest and represented all seven values of 
     the United States Army including loyalty, duty, respect, 
     selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. For 
     his commitment to God and country, for his example to you and 
     me, I am hopeful that the U.S. Army will recognize his 
     distinguished service and name the new Army Reserve Center in 
     his honor, Congressman Faleomavaega concluded.
                                  ____


                     [Press Release, June 30, 2006]

 New U.S. Army Reserve Center in American Samoa Will be Named in Honor 
                           of Samoan Soldiers

       Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the new U.S. 
     Army Reserve Center in American Samoa will be named in honor 
     of Sergeant First Class Konelio Pele and Staff Sergeant Frank 
     F. Tiai.
       The U.S. Army Reserve Center will be named in honor of the 
     late SFC Konelio Pele who served in three major wars and was 
     awarded the Silver Star, the third highest medal for valor 
     during the Vietnam War. SFC Pele is also a recipient of the 
     Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, and three Combat Infantryman 
     Badges.
       The Maintenance Storage Facility of the Army Reserve Center 
     will be named in honor of the late SSG Frank Tiai, a member 
     of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, who was killed in 
     July 2005 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. SSG Tiai 
     was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart 
     medals.
       Congressman Faleomavaega and the American Samoa Veterans of 
     Foreign Wars both recommended to the U.S. Army that the newly 
     built Army Reserve Center be named after Sergeant First Class 
     Konelio Pele.
       I am pleased the U.S. Army accepted our recommendation to 
     name the Army Reserve Center after SFC Konelio Pele in 
     recognition of his distinguished service, said Congressman 
     Faleomavaega. To my knowledge, SFC Peles Silver Star is the 
     highest award received by any Samoan for courageous valor in 
     the field of battle.
       I am also pleased the U.S. Army decided to name the 
     Maintenance Storage Facility after SSG Frank Tiai who as I 
     recall, was the first local reservist from American Samoa to 
     die in the war in Iraq.
       Both war heroes have served our country with utmost 
     dedication and honor. They are a great example of the 
     determination and selfless service of our many Samoan sons 
     and daughters who have served or are currently serving in the 
     military today.
       The dedication ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday, July 
     15, 2006 at the new Tafuna facility. Congressman Faleomavaega 
     and Governor Togiola are both invited to the ceremonies. At 
     this moment, I want to express my sincere appreciation to the 
     U.S. Army for its commitment to American Samoa. Most of all, 
     I want to thank all Samoans in the military and their 
     families for their sacrifices and service to our country, 
     concluded Faleomavaega.

                          ____________________