Swains Island and te kaiga Olohega has once again given Representative Su’a Alex Jennings another term to be faipule in the American Samoa Legislature.
About 40 people attended a meeting held at the Election Office Saturday to select a Swains delegate .
Chief Election Officer Uiagalelei Dr. Lealofi Lealofi and his staff were present as observers at the meeting.
Rep. Su’a Alex Jennings conducted the meeting until it was time to discuss the House seat for Swains, then a sister, Zenobia Jennings, took over.
There were no other names put forward for the delegate position except for Su’a.
Su’a has been a member of the House for ten years.
Bert Thomson told the gathering that he wasn’t speaking up because he had any intentions to be considered for the seat, but he asked should the delegate position be alternated between the families of Swains island.
He also suggested that they should seek programs and services like other ethnic groups in the Territory.
It was his opinion that other ethnic communities like the Tongans, Fijians, Koreans and Chinese have more recognition than the Swains community.
Bert’s mother, 91 year old Hana Thompson, believed to be the eldest Swains islander said that there was no need to have an election and she endorsed Su’a for the seat.
After receiving Mrs. Thompson and the meeting’s blessing, Su’a thanked the Swains community present for their trust and confidence for him to be their representative,
The faipule told the meeting he has spent 10 years researching not only the local but the US constitution in an attempt to determine Swains Islands status in the political arena.
His findings have led him to believe that the Swains island and its people are not properly recognized by the Government of American Samoa.
Su’a said that from what he’s found in his research Swains Island is another territory of the USA like Tutuila and Manu’a.
Sua told the meeting he will continue to pursue recognition and programs and services that Swains is entitled to under the constitution, but has been denied through negligence
Having worked with a 74-year-old Professor on constitutional law, he learned that the legal instrument pertaining to Swains is incomplete.
Su’a acknowledged the Governor, the Fono leaders and his colleagues at the Fono for the opportunity to work with them and for the opportunity to serve as Chairman of some House committees.
