Alataua House Representative Savali Talavou Ale was, today, re-elected as Speaker of the American Samoa House of Representatives.
The vote for the longest serving lawmaker in the history of the Fono was unanimous, with all 19 of 20 voting representatives endorsing him as leader of the House.
The only Faipule who was absent today, was Alumamalu Filoali’i who is off island.
There was no other nominee for the Speaker’s seat. Rep. Fetu Fetui nominated Savali and Rep. Faimealelei Anthony Allen seconded.
The election was conducted by Chief Clerk of the House Vaiaitu Mulinuu Maluia, who was later re-elected by unanimous vote to the same position. He was also the only nominee, and was proposed by Ituau Representative Manumaua Wayne Wilson, with Ituau freshman Faipule Tautoloitua Sauasetoa Ho Ching seconding the nomination.
For the position of Sgt. at Arms, the only nominee was Line Olo who was elected by unanimous vote.
The election of officers followed the swearing in of all 20 members present, by Chief Associate Judge Mamea Sala Jr. Rev. Faalili Otineru of the Fagalii CCCAS gave an inspirational sermon about the importance of preparations for any task and used the story of Tuna and Fata, and
how they won the battle between Samoa and Tonga through strategizing and preparation. He urged the lawmakers to always seek God in their decision making and not rely on their own knowledge or power.
House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, who now begins his 20th term in the House of Representatives, thanked the members for their trust and confidence in him and asked for their cooperation and support in the new legislature. He also thanked all the wives, parents and family members who witnessed the swearing in. Tomorrow the new House members will begin an orientation before the 38th legislature convenes next Monday.
Re-elected Faipule are:
- Fetui Fetu
- Alumamalu Ale Filoalii
- Tiaoalii Fauagiga Sai
- Titialii Kitara Vaiau
- Luaitaua Gene Pan
- Avagafono Tuavao Vaimaga Maiava
- Vailoata Eteuati Amituanai
- Vesiai Poyer Samuelu
- Faimealelei Anthony Allen
- Manumaua Wayne Wilson
- Savali Talavou Ale
- Larry Sanitoa
- Samuel Ioka Meleisea
- Ape Mike Asifoa
- Su’a Alexander Jennings
New Faipule are:
- Shaun Onosai Vaa
- Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr
- Tapai Alailepule Benjamin Vaivao
- Tautoloitua Sauasetoa Ho Ching and
- Fiu Johnny Saelua
In the Senate, just after 11 this morning the new senator for Tuala-tai, Tuiasina Dr. Salamo Laumoli, was sworn in by Associate Judge Mamea Sala.
Senate President Tuaolo Fruean who presided said, Senators serve four year terms and they convened today to witness the swearing in of Tuiasina. He first asked Senate Counsel Mitzie Jessop Taase if it was within the law for the new senator to be sworn in before 12pm. Jessop-Taase said, it was.
Tuaolo appointed a three member committee, Senators Magalei Logovii, Malaepule Saite Moliga and Satele Lili’o to review Tuiasina’s credentials and certification papers. After less then 10 minutes, the committee reported back to the chamber and informed the Senate President that Tuiasina had met all
requirements of the law to take up the Tuala-tai Senate seat.
