“The compromise amendment, passed by a vote of 11-9, will protect American Samoa, the U.S. tuna industry, and the U.S. boat owners,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “The compromise includes a provision which places a quota on the amount of canned tuna the Andean countries can export duty-free to the U.S.  The amendment also includes a source of origin provision which mandates that the tuna must be caught by U.S. or Andean fishing vessels which is very similar to the tuna trade agreement now being implemented by the European Union countries and the Andean nations.”

     “The amendment also makes certain that the Andean countries will abide by the same international rules as we do,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “The amendment is a fair and honest compromise that creates a win-win situation for our tuna industry as well as the Andean region.”

     “Although the passing of this amendment is a critical victory for American Samoa, the war is not over,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “S.525 must now go to the Senate floor for vote.  After final passage by the Senate, the House and the Senate will have to conference and come to agreement on the final terms of the tuna provision.”

     “I want to thank our friends in the Senate, both Republican and Democrat, who have supported our efforts to find a fair and reasonable compromise,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “I want to especially thank Senator John Breaux (D-LA) for offering the amendment.  I also want to thank Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) -- Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) -- Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on International Trade, Senator Frank Murkowski (R-AK), Senator John D. Rockefeller (D-WV), Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AK), Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY), and Senator Robert Torricelli (D-NJ). for voting in favor of our amendment.”

     “I also want to thank Governor Tauese Sunia, our Senate President Lutu Fuimaono, Senator Faiivae Galeai, Mr. Julius Zolezzi and Paul Krampe who represented our U.S. tuna fishing fleet, Dennis Mussell, CEO of Chicken of the Sea/Samoa Packing, Chris Lischewski, CEO of Bumble Bee -- a subsidiary of ConAgra foods, and all the residents of American Samoa who continue to stand firmly united in protecting the interests of our Territory and our tuna industry,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.

     “I am hopeful that as this debate moves forward, we will be able to protect our fragile, island economy, which depends almost entirely on the tuna fishing and processing industries.  I am also hopeful that StarKist will join our efforts to do the right thing by supporting our efforts to save what is left of the U.S. tuna industry while providing some sense of equity to our Andean Pact countries,” Faleomavaega concluded.