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Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he is thanking StarKist for holding its semi-annual Board of Directors’ meeting in American Samoa. The executive team will also be on island to participate in meetings to be held from December 6-8, 2011.
“Although I have wanted to publicly announce my support for this Board Meeting for some time, I chose not to make a statement until such time as it was publicly announced by StarKist,” Faleomavaega said. “Now that StarKist has announced that it will be holding its semi-annual Board meeting in American Samoa, I want to say how proud I am that Chairman Kim has taken such a historic step. In the entire history of our affiliation with StarKist, I believe this is the first time a Board meeting has ever taken place in the Territory, and Chairman Kim is to be commended for showing such great respect for our tuna cannery workers.”
“In a letter of November 11, 2011, StarKist President In-Soo Cho invited me to participate in the upcoming meetings in American Samoa,” Faleomavaega said. “He also informed me that he would be happy to meet with me at StarKist headquarters in Pittsburgh in the event that Congressional duties prevent my participation.”
“Since Congress is still in session during this time, it is my intent to follow-up in Pittsburgh with Mr. Cho after the Board meeting takes place in American Samoa this week. As Mr. Cho stated in his letter, American Samoa holds a special place in Chairman Kim’s heart, and this evidenced by his decision to hold this year’s semi-annual Board of Directors’ meeting in Pago Pago. While I wish I could be on island this week to participate in the Board meeting, I have already updated Mr. Cho about the progress we are making to delay further minimum wage increases and to renew 30A tax credits, and StarKist is supportive of these efforts.”
“The people of American Samoa are also supportive of StartKist. This is why there is no doubt in my mind that Chairman Kim, the Board of Directors and executive team will receive a warm welcome from our cannery workers, our people and local leaders. Once more, I want to thank Chairman Kim and Mr. Cho for their support and commitment. And, on behalf of the people of American Samoa, I welcome Chairman Kim, the Board of Directors and executive team to the Territory. I look forward to continuing our work together so that StarKist may remain in American Samoa into the future,” Faleomavaega concluded.
For the public record, a complete text of Mr. Cho’s letter to the Congressman is included below:
November 11, 2011
Dear Congressman Faleomavaega,
I am pleased to let you know that the semi-annual StarKist Board of Directors meeting will take place in American Samoa December 6th through December 8th. As you know, American Samoa holds a special place in Chairman Kim’s heart as he spent significant time on island at the start of his long career in the fishing industry. Chairman Kim, the Board of Directors and the StarKist executive team are looking forward to meeting on island for the first time in many years, and we are eager to meet with our partners and colleagues while there. Our visit would not be complete without a meeting with you – I hope that you are available to meet while Chairman Kim and I are in American Samoa.
I understand that the end of the year can be especially demanding of your time, however. In the event that you are already scheduled to be in Washington or elsewhere for your Congressional duties, I would be happy to meet with you at StarKist corporate headquarters, which are more conveniently located a short flight or drive from Washington here in Pittsburgh.
If that arrangement is preferable, please let me know what dates are best for you. I should be in town for the remainder of November with the exception of the Thanksgiving holiday.
I regret that we haven’t been able to connect over the phone due to our conflicting schedules, but I do hope that we can get together soon. Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support of StarKist and our employees. I sincerely appreciate your commitment to helping our business remain in American Samoa into the future.
I look forward to hearing from you.
In-Soo
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