Members of the Republican Party of American Samoa (RPAS) celebrated the 65th anniversary of the appointment of Uifaatali Peter Coleman as Governor of American Samoa, Saturday night at DDW Restaurant.
Governor Coleman was the first non-heredity head of government in history anywhere in the Pacific.
Only Tonga’s Prince Tungi (later King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV), who was appointed head of government by Queen Salote in 1949, preceded him as a Pacific government’s chief executive.
And three years later in 1959 (Western) Samoa’s first cabinet chose Mataʻafa Faumuina Mulinuʻu II as it’s prime minister, giving the three central Polynesia men the distinction of being the earliest indigenous leaders of their governments anywhere in the islands.
The approval of Peter Coleman as governor by President Eisenhower was a bold civil rights step in the 1950s that foreshadowed the revolutionary U.S. civil rights reforms that followed the assassination of President Kennedy.
In a letter read at the gathering, Republican National Committee Chairman Ronna McDaniel said, “President Eisenhower’s leadership on this civil rights victory helped achieve representation for Samoans and all Pacific Islanders in your government and in the United States, a value that is at the core of the Republican Party today.”
The chairman recognized the hard work of Samoa’s Republican leaders in upholding the party’s values, particularly the three members who sit on the Republican National Committee: Party Chairman Will Sword, National Committeeman Frank Barron and [Committeewoman] Amata Radewagen, who since 2012 has been the most senior member of the RNC.
A granddaughter of President Eisenhower, Mary Jean Eisenhower, a member of the Eisenhower Foundation Board, gave this message.
Play Audio
A surprise interview with Jim Sewell, a member of Governor Coleman’s staff from 1957 to 1961, delighted the crowd as he reminisced about life in the islands so many years ago.
Speaking from his native Oklahoma, the 90-year-old remisced, “I met Governor Coleman and family, became close to them and fit right in. I have a great appreciation for him; he was a man of depth, quality and professionalism and someone I needed in my life. He gave me the first boost on my future. It was a turning point in my life and I’ll always be grateful to Governor Coleman for taking a chance with me.”
Although Sewell departed American Samoa in 1967, his name is familiar to many because his great grandson, Penei Sewell, is a star player in the National Football League.
Party Chairman Taulapapa Will Sword on behalf of the party honored Senator Alo Dr. Paul Stevenson with its ever first Patron Award in recognition for his service to the party over many years, including serving as Coleman-Eisenhower Day event chairman annually over the past five years.
Congresswoman Uifa’atali regretted she could not be present at the celebration as she remained in Washington for a crucial debate this week on infrastructure and social program bills that would impact American Samoa.
This is part of her video message.
Play Audio
RPAS Vice Chairman Michael McDonald recognized a group of political science students from the college and offered them all free party memberships for a year.
A moment of silence was observed for party members who have passed on. including Su’a Carl Schuster, Salote Starr Schuster, Otomalesau John Ah Sue, Toetagata Albert Mailo and Jim Longnecker.
Source: RPAS Press Release
