Date: December 18, 1997

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PAGO PAGO ---- FALEOMAVAEGA INVITED TO SPEAK AT 2 COLLEGE GRADUATIONS

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that, at the invitation of graduating seniors and the College President of the American Samoa Community College, he will be the keynote commencement speaker at Friday's graduation ceremonies. The theme of the commencement exercises is "The Power of a Dream." As previously announced by ASCC's Board of Higher Education, this will be the first winter graduation ceremony at the College.

"As always, I am happy to participate in an activity which recognizes our youth, and I am especially pleased to participate at graduation ceremonies of institutions of higher learning. These are opportunities to highlight the scholastic achievements of local students, and I am honored to have been chosen to speak on this occasion," said Faleomavaega.

The Congressman has also received an invitation from Dr. Susan Pelowski, Assistant Professor of Psychology, to speak on December 20th at the winter graduation of the University of Hawaii - West O'ahu campus.

"I understand that there are several Samoan students among the graduates, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to be there to see them receive this special recognition," said the Congressman. "It is not very often that our Samoan leaders are invited to speak at occasions such as a graduation ceremony at the University of Hawaii, and I am honored and flattered to have been selected."

"Having spent my childhood in Hawaii, I am very familiar with some of the perceptions others have of us. My generation is always trying to lessen the negative stereotypes others have of Samoans in Hawaii, and activities such as this help present a more rounded picture of our society to the other residents of the state," concluded Faleomavaega.