Togiola Tulafono
Togiola Tulafono | |
---|---|
6th Governor of American Samoa | |
In office March 26, 2003 – January 3, 2013 Acting: March 26, 2003 – April 7, 2003 | |
Lieutenant | Faoa Aitofele Sunia |
Preceded by | Tauese Sunia |
Succeeded by | Lolo Matalasi Moliga |
7th Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa | |
In office January 3, 1997 – March 26, 2003 | |
Governor | Tauese Sunia |
Preceded by | Tauese Sunia |
Succeeded by | Faoa Aitofele Sunia |
Personal details | |
Born | Aunu'u, American Samoa, U.S. | February 28, 1947
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Mary Ann Tu |
Children | 5 daughters 1 son |
Education | Chadron State College (BA) Washburn University (JD) |
Togiola Talalelei A. Tulafono (born February 28, 1947) is an American Samoan politician and lawyer who served as the sixth
Tulafono was lieutenant governor when, on March 26, 2003, Governor
Tulafono did not run for governor in 2012 as he was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term.[1] He was an unsuccessful candidate for American Samoa's at-large congressional district in 2014.
Biography
Early life
Togiola T. A. Tulafono was born on February 28, 1947, in
Tulafono was educated in Samoa, attending
Tulafono has served as a
Career
After college, Tulafono worked as a legal assistant at American Samoa's
Tulafono was appointed as a
Tulafono further co-chaired the
Tulafono presently serves as vice chairman of the territorial church general assembly of American Samoa as of 2008.[2]
After his term as governor ended, Tulafono ran for
Governor of American Samoa
Tulafono was sworn in as the Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa under Governor Tauese Sunia on January 3, 1997.[2] Sunia and Tulafono were re-elected in 2000 and sworn into their second terms in office on January 3, 2001.[5]
Tulafono remained lieutenant governor until Sunia's sudden death from a heart attack on March 26, 2003. Tulafono became acting governor until he was formally sworn into office as Governor of American Samoa on April 7, 2003.[2]
In the first round of
Tulafono took part in endorsing Senator
It was under Tulafono's leadership that American Samoa became, in November 2011, a founding member of the Polynesian Leaders Group, a regional grouping intended to cooperate on a variety of issues including culture and language, education, responses to climate change, and trade and investment.[7][8][9]
The dispute with Hawaiian Airlines
In July 2006, Governor Tulafono issued a mandate to Hawaiian Airlines, giving the airline ninety days to cease service to Pago Pago International Airport in Pago Pago. The carrier, which offers the only service to American Samoa (beside commuter flights to Apia, in the country of Samoa), from its hub in Honolulu, was accused of predatory pricing practices and ethnic harassment by the governor.[10]
In August 2006, the FAA stated in an official letter to the governor that the territory must continue to allow Hawaiian Airlines to fly the Honolulu-Pago Pago route or risk losing U.S. financial assistance.[11]
2008 gubernatorial election
Governor Togiola Tulafono and Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia announced their joint reelection campaign on May 10, 2008, at the Tradewinds Hotel in
Independence discussion
In 2012, both the Governor and American Samoa's delegate to the US Congress called for the populace to consider a move towards autonomy if not independence, to a mixed response.[14][15]
References
- Real Clear Politics. Associated Press. 2012-09-04. Retrieved 2015-04-14.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "American Samoa Governor Togiola T.A. Tulafono". National Governors Association. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
- ^ a b government job contract federal state at asg-gov.net Archived 2007-06-30 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Official Results of the General Election 2014 American Samoa Election Office. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
- ^ Sorensen, Stan (2011-01-04). "Historical Notes – page 5" (PDF). Tapuitea Official Newsletter of American Samoa, Volume VI, No. 5. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
- ^ "Hillary Clinton Gets Support Of Gov. Togiola". Pacific Magazine. 2008-01-08. Archived from the original on 2007-06-14. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
- ^ Andrews, John (19 September 2011). "NZ may be invited to join proposed 'Polynesian Triangle' ginger group". Scoop News. Pacific Scoop News. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
- ^ "New Polynesian Leaders Group formed in Samoa". Radio New Zealand. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
- ^ "American Samoa joins Polynesian Leaders Group, MOU signed". Samoa News. Savalii. 20 November 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ starbulletin.com | News | /2006/07/29/
- ^ starbulletin.com | Business | /2006/08/05/
- ^ Sagapolutele, Fili (2008-05-11). "Togiola, Ipulasi Announce Re-election Bid". Pacific Magazine. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
- ^ "American Samoa governor candidates face election run-off". AFP. 2008-11-06. Archived from the original on 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ American Samoa must consider independence - congressman. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
- ^ Call for independence discussion for American Samoa. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
External links
- Official website
- Samoa Observer: Inauguration celebration described as “makua seki lava!”
- Samoa Observer:Togiola admin theme: “Light tomorrow with today”
- Samoa Observer: All of American Samoa invited to inauguration festivities '
- Samoa News: Governor thanks public for vote of confidence and promises to be worthy of trust and support
- Appearances on C-SPAN