FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. ----

Congressman Eni Faleomavaega announced that in response to an invitation from the Sisters' Alumni of the South Pacific, he spoke at the organization's 11th anniversary dinner in Torrance, California. The Sisters' Alumni is a volunteer, non-profit organization which provides scholarships to college students of Pacific Islander heritage. The anniversary dinner is one of the group's two annual primary fundraisers.

"It was a special honor to assist the Sister's Alumni with their charitable fundraising efforts this past Saturday," said Faleomavaega. The Congressman continued, "These ladies volunteer their time to raise funds for Pacific Islander students from the United States, American Samoa and Western Samoa, and have met with considerable success. Special recognition should go to the organization's current president, Mrs. Anastasia Masina Loi-On, former president Chief Muliagatele Mona F.M. Porotesano, and current vice-president Mrs. Teri Rotter."

"Originally, the group organized to support Saint Mary's College and other Sisters' schools in Western Samoa, but their mission quickly expanded. They have gone from awarding four scholarships the first year to 15 scholarships this year, with a total of $200,000 in scholarships having been awarded over the past 11 years. One recent recipient, Papali'i Misiona Patane, an MBA graduate of BYU, will be attending Harvard University next month to pursue a Ph.D. program in government and public administration," continued the Congressman.

"The Sisters' Alumni of the South Pacific provides community services at its best and I want to publicly commend the members of the organization and their sponsors for their years of effort in providing so many opportunities for our youth to continue their education," said Faleomavaega.

At the invitation of the Samoan Chiefs Council, the Congressman also participated in the Samoan Flag Day ceremonies in San Francisco, California over the weekend.

"This was the first time that the flag of the Kingdom of Tonga was raised at the San Francisco ceremony in recognition of our common ancestry," said Faleomavaega, "and it was good to see our two Polynesian communities participating in this event. Also in attendance were Tonga's Consul General, Mrs. Tania Pauga, and Representative Lavea Siali'itu Mauga."

"Special credit for the event goes to Chief Fualau Leatutufu, the leader of the Council, Chief Tuatagaloa Ropati Malepeai, and Chief Faumuina Mulipola, who coordinated the activity," said Faleomavaega.

"I also want to commend the Chiefs' Council for its efforts to establish a future Polynesian community center in relation to the town of Samoa, near the city of Eureka, California. This center will provide a unique recognition for the name of "Samoa" and perhaps a visitors' attraction for Native American and Polynesian cultures to be displayed in an area that borders Oregon and California," concluded the Faleomavaega.