Congressman Faleomavaega Eni today expressed his deep condolences in a letter to Mrs. Fesala’i Tuitele, in the sudden passing of her husband, the late Paramount Chief and Senator Tuitele Fofo Tony Tuitele, in their residence in Leone on the evening of March 1, 2008.

“It is with deep regret and great sorrow that I write to express my sincere condolences on the untimely and most heartbreaking passing away of your husband, le Afioga i le Fa’atuiolemotu and Senator Tuitele, Fofo Tony Tuitele.  Such a sudden misfortune is often times hard for any of us to understand; and for it to befall at an unexpected and unfortunate manner is something only the benevolence of God can explain in time,” Faleomavaega said in his letter to Mrs. Tuitele.

“Senator Tuitele was best known for his soft spoken manner, his intelligence and contemporary knowledge of local and national affairs.  These placed him well within his time.  His honesty and spiritual dedication, values he believed were good for the people of American Samoa, made him well respected and loved by many who knew him well,” wrote Faleomavaega.                                                     

“On a personal note, every available time we would have, Senator Tuitele and I spent long hours discussing some serious issues affecting our people, both living in the territory and in the United States.  Senator Tuitele was always trying to do what was right, and what was best for our people.  His passion to fully debate contemporary issues like the stimulus package, minimum wage, the global economic crisis, technological communications and the changing culture always fueled our conversations,” Faleomavaega reminisced in his letter.

“I was really looking forward to continuing our communications and friendship the first chance I got back again – but now this misfortune has befallen, and I am without words to express my deep sense of sorrow to you and the family.”

“Senator Tuitele’s sudden passing will leave a great void in all of us whom he touched; and I pray that God will grant comfort to you, your children and to your family in this saddest of times,” Faleomavaega concluded.