Eni Faleomavaega
Eni Faleomavaega | |
---|---|
Fofó Sunia | |
Succeeded by | Amata Coleman Radewagen |
3rd Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa | |
In office January 3, 1985 – January 2, 1989 | |
Governor | A. P. Lutali |
Preceded by | Tufele Liamatua |
Succeeded by | Galea'i Peni Poumele |
Personal details | |
Born | Eni Fa'aua'a Hunkin Faleomavaega Jr. August 15, 1943 |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army • United States Army Reserve |
Years of service | 1966–1969 (Active) 1982–1990 (Reserve) |
Rank | Captain |
Unit | 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Commendation Medal |
Eni Fa'aua'a Hunkin Faleomavaega Jr. (
Early life, education, and military service
Faleomavaega was born in
He served as an enlistee in the United States Army from 1966 to 1969, and as an officer in the United States Army Reserve from 1982 to 1989. He completed a tour in the Vietnam War[3] and left the military with the rank of captain following his second term of service. He and his wife were active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[4]
Legal career
Faleomavaega served as the administrative assistant to American Samoa Delegate
Political career
Faleomavaega entered elective politics when he ran alongside A. P. Lutali in the 1985 gubernatorial race. He served as Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa from 1985 to 1989. In 1987, he participated in an event that followed traditional Polynesian life experiences by sailing from Tahiti to Hawaii in a canoe.[6]
Congressional delegate
Faleomavaega was elected as a
Committee assignments
Faleomavaega was a member of the following committees in the House of Representatives:
- Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment(Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
- Committee on Natural Resources
Caucuses
Support for Sri Lanka's war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
Faleomavaega has said that it is more opportune if the United States could refrain from interfering in internal affairs of Sri Lanka. He took the initiative of briefing members of the Sub Committee on Asia and the Pacific of the US House of Representatives in this respect.[8]
Support for American Samoa's independence
In 2012, both Faleomavaega and Togiola Tulafono, American Samoa's Governor, called for the populace to consider a move towards autonomy if not independence, to a mixed response.[9][10]
Support for Bahrain's monarchy
Faleomavaega was known for his vocal support of Bahrain's
Legacy
VA Clinic
On March 31, 2017, President Donald Trump signed H.R. 1362 into law. H.R. 1362 names the VA clinic in Pago Pago, American Samoa, the "Faleomavaega Eni Fa'aua'a Hunkin VA Clinic."[13] The bill was sponsored by Delegate Amata Coleman Radewagen, Faleomavaega's successor as representative from American Samoa, and co-sponsored by five others.[14]
Death
Faleomavaega suffered from complications that he said are from his exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.[15][16] Voters' concerns about his health are speculated to have contributed to his 2014 election defeat.[15][16]
Faleomavaega died at the age of 73 on Wednesday, February 22, 2017. The cause was not specified. He was survived by his wife, 5 children, and 10 grandchildren.[17]
See also
- List of Delegates to the United States House of Representatives from American Samoa
- List of Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans in the United States Congress
References
- ^ "Eni Faleomavaega, who served 13 terms as delegate from American Samoa, dies at 73". Washington Post.
- ^ American Samoa Congressional Map Archived 2006-01-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Eni Faleomavaega, who served 13 terms as delegate from American Samoa, dies at 73 - The Washington Post". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Rep. Eni Faleomavaega | 17 Mormons in Congress in 2013". Deseret News. 2012-11-13. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
- ^ Fili Sagapolutele (24 February 2017). "Longtime delegate for American Samoa". Washington Post – via EBSCOHost.
- ^ U.S. Congress. Archived from the originalon 2008-05-05. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ "Eni Faleomavaega, United States Congress". House.gov. 1943-08-15. Archived from the original on 2010-08-10. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ^ "Double Standards in US Foreign Policy Questioned". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
- ^ "American Samoa must consider independence - congressman | Pacific Beat | ABC Radio Australia". Radioaustralia.net.au. 2012-05-18. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
- ^ "Call for independence discussion for American Samoa | ABC Radio Australia". Radioaustralia.net.au. 2012-05-18. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
- ^ Elliot, Justin (April 2, 2012). "Meet Bahrain's Best Friend in Congress". ProPublica.
- ^ Elliot, Justin (April 11, 2012). "Law Shrouds Details of Congressional Trips Abroad". ProPublica.
- ^ "H.R. 1362 Text - 115th Congress (2017-2018)". US Congress. April 5, 2017.
- ^ "Territory's VA clinic now officially named after Faleomavaega Eni Fa'aua'a Hunkin | Samoa News". samoanews.com. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- ^ a b Fili Sagapolutele (November 9, 2014). "1st Woman Elected as American Samoa Delegate". Associated Press. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
- ^ a b Cama, Timothy (November 5, 2014) - "American Samoa Delegate Loses Seat". The Hill. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
- ^ "Eni Faleomavaega, 73, American Samoa's Long-Serving Delegate to Congress, Dies". The New York Times. 24 February 2017.