Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde has been approved by the Senate to be the Attorney General. Senators voted 14-0 Thursday to confirm her as AG.
At her confirmation hearing, Wednesday, Senator Togiola Tulafono said Tauiliili-Langkilde had served as a judge and has accepted the call to be the top legal advisor in the American Samoa Government.
He said the Senate had shown its confidence when it voted to confirm her as a District Court judge in the past. Now, she is moving into another very important position in the government, serving as the top legal advisor for the whole American Samoa Government, not just the Governor. Togiola was also thankful with Tauiliili Langkilde’s appointment saying it recognizes a daughter who has attained high academic credentials in the legal field.
Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean also endorsed the nominee and told Tauiliili-Langkilde that she was “too young to be a judge.” He recalled that when he turned 55, he left the bench. “It’s a boring job,” he commented.
Tauiliili-Langkilde expressed her gratitude to senators for their statements of support, which she said gives her strength and encouragement to tackle the responsibilities of her new position. She pledged that, if confirmed, she will use intelligence from the Lord to serve the territory and government. She also thanked the Chief Justice for her appointment as a judge, 6 years as a pro-tempore and four years as a full-time judge. She said she has gained new knowledge and experience from her tenure on the bench which will equip her well for the position of AG. She also extended her thanks to the Governor and Lt. Governor for selecting her as Attorney General.
Tauiliili-Langkilde obtained her Juris Doctorate from the University of Hawaii School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Hawaii, Manoa, graduating with distinction.
She is a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association and the American Samoa Bar Association.
She is a former Assistant Attorney General, was legal counsel to the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority and Election Office, and also operated a private law firm, from December 2000 to January 2014.
She has been a District Court Judge of American Samoa from 2015 to this year, and has been an Acting Associate Justice of the High Court from February 2022 to the time of her appointing as Acting AG.
Two other directors were confirmed by the Senate Thursday.
Senate confirms Acting Directors of DHR & Corrections
Titioalii Dr. Asenati Saau-Umi was approved to be director of the Department of Human Resources and Palaita Tusipasi Suiaunoa was confirmed as Director of the Department of Corrections. The vote for both nominees was 14-0.
Aaron Hall misses House confirmation by 1 vote
In the House of Representatives, the Acting Director of the Office of Public Information Aaron Hall did not get enough votes to pass confirmation. He needed 11 votes, but only 10 representatives voted yes to confirm him while 7 voted no.
The Chairman of the House Communication and Public Information Committee, Representative Luaitaua Gene Pan who chaired the confirmation hearing for Hall, moved a motion for reconsideration of the nomination. The motion was passed which allows the House to have another confirmation vote for Hall. When that will be is up to the House leadership. A second vote for DMWR Director Timothy Jones, who did not pass confirmation in the House earlier this week is still pending.
