[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 31 (Friday, February 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE SERVICE OF MR. VEVESI LEMAFA

                                 ______
                                 

                   HON. AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 26, 2016

  Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the lifelong 
service and career of Mr. Vevesi Lemafa, a son of American Samoa.
  Vevesi, was born in Pago Pago American Samoa, and attended high 
school at Faga'itua High School, graduating in 1976.
  Following his academic career; longing to see other parts of the 
world, Vevesi joined United States Army in March of 1977, and attended 
Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. During Vevesi's time in the 
military, which spanned 15 years, he served several overseas tours in 
Germany, and Korea before separating at the rank of Sergeant in 1991.
  Vevesi, and his lovely wife Matautu E. Lemafa, who also served in the 
U.S. Army are the parents to three wonderful children; two sons, Evile 
and Vesi, and their daughter Meleane, as well as their grandson Vevesi 
TeToa Fiapa'i Lemafa.
  Following his military career, Vevesi and his wife Matautu continued 
their service to our nation, and were both employed with the Department 
of the Army as civilian employees.
  In his civilian role, Mr. Lemafa has served as the Administrative 
Officer and Human Resources Specialist for Schofield Barracks in Hawaii 
for 22 years, which combined with his military service, gives him a 
total of 37 years of federal service to our nation.
  As a member of the Mission Support Element (MSE)--Hawaii, under the 
Senior Commander of the U.S. Army Pacific Command, Vevesi has served as 
the Administrative Officer/Civilian Human Resources Specialist with the 
utmost honor, professionalism, dedication and loyalty.
  Vevesi has assisted managers of the Mission Support Element--Hawaii 
through his effective programming, and vast knowledge of the many 
facets of the civilian human resources program.
  Known to always go the extra mile when performing his duties, 
Vevesi's people-oriented style earned himself the reputation of ``the-
go-to-man'' for his exceptional, customer-first-based service, and 
accurate analysis with a positive and ``can do'' attitude.
  Though Vevesi is retiring, those Mission Support Element employees 
who have worked with him have truly benefited through his selfless 
devotion to duty, and he has earned the respect and admiration of his 
command.
  Due to his truly remarkable and commendable service to our grateful 
nation, I want to also state my support for his nomination for the 
Meritorious Civilian Service Award, and wish him the very best on his 
retirement.
  God bless the United States and American Samoa.

                          ____________________