Community News Briefs

AMATA RESPONDS TO 2026 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS compiled by Samoa News staffPago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — (February 25, 2026) Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata responded to President Trump’s State of the Union address, which she attended, and highlighted the economic and national security message, along with applauding the U.S. military heroes that were recognized during the speech. During the State of the Union, President Trump awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest decoration for valor, to 100-year-old U.S. Navy Captain E. Royce Williams, whose long-classified role in the Korean War is one of the longest sustained aerial combats in Navy history, and to U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, helicopter pilot in the Venezuela operation who continued his duties while wounded.He also awarded the Purple Heart to Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and posthumously to Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, members of the West Virginia National Guard, ambushed last year on patrol in Washington, D.C.The President also honored Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott Ruskan, who was awarded the Legion of Merit, and specially recognized in the audience a decorated veteran, Buddy Taggart, also turning 100 years old soon, who helped liberate a major internment camp in the Philippines in World War II.“We can all come together to honor our nation’s brave patriots,” said Congresswoman Amata. “I appreciated the President honoring these deserving Veterans and Service Members for their heroism, service and sacrifice, and highlighting our inspiring Olympic champions as well.”“American Samoa can be at our best when the U.S. is strong, when the national economy is positioned to improve, and fuel costs are in check, and those were some of the themes of the speech.“Now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and start the big 2027 appropriations legislation, the next yearly National Defense bill, and urgently restore funds to the Department of Homeland Security so our U.S. Coast Guard, FEMA and TSA are back at full operations and staffing,” she continued.“In Washington, I highlight our local needs and priorities in the context of current events with China and the Pacific region, which opens the door to talk about our Port, our hospital and clinics, a future air traffic tower, a Coast Guard cutter home ported in Pago Pago Harbor, or other developments,” Amata concluded. “It helps to have good channels of communication to all the leaders in Washington, and I keep those lines open.”ISLAND WIDE CLEAN-UPThe Island Wide Clean-up for this month is scheduled for Friday, February 27, 2026. All departments, agencies, offices, and authorities are expected to participate. There are 6 established IWCC zones to which they are each assigned.GRADUATE SCHOOL USA TRAINING FOR ASG PERSONNELThe Graduate School US has confirmed dates for three days of training at American Samoa Community College, which includes Ethical Decision-Making for Government Employees on March 4, 2026; Managers' Roles in Assessing Internal Control — March 5, 2026; and, Contract and Procurement Fraud on March 6, 2026.Each course is an eight-hour session from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and conducted in person at ASCC. Participants will receive eight CPE credits for each completed course.Mr. Drummond Kahn, is the instructor for all three days and Attorney General Gwen Tauiliili- Langkilde will deliver the keynote address for the Ethical Decision-Making for Government Employees session.Online Registration is open. You will register separately for each course. Graduate School USA will issue CPE certificates upon completion.Section: Local NewsTags: community news briefs
2026-02-26 18:58:24