Awarded under the Community Prevention Grants Program, $33,000 is intended to support efforts to reduce delinquency and youth violence.  This is accomplished through support of communities in providing their children, families, neighborhoods, and institutions with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities necessary to foster a healthy and nurturing environment which supports the growth and development or production of responsible citizens.  The additional $15,000 is awarded under the State Challenge Activities Program to provide incentives to develop, adopt, and improve policies and programs in one or more of the specified Challenge Activities.

     "American Samoa has been very fortunate to receive these federal programs to deal with the issues of delinquency and violence in our community," Faleomavaega said.  "Although there have not been major problems, I strongly believe in taking preventive measures especially as they pertain to our youth so we can avoid a more serious and costly situation later on."

     "I want to congratulate Governor Tauese Sunia, and especially Mr. Alaalamua Filoiali'i and the staff of the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency for the outstanding work they are doing in administering these programs in our territory," added Congressman Faleomavaega.