Transcript
FILI SAGAPOLUTELE: Faleomavaega had been in congress for so many years - 14 consecutive two year terms, in not only American Samoa but he was a big figure for the Pacific region, there were times when he was out defending the Pacific Islands and especially the United States government would ignore the Pacific he would come out and would speak up for the Pacific Islands in congress. And one big example for him, in his support for the Pacific Islands was in 1996 when he boycotted an address by the French President at the time before congress due to France's nuclear testing in the South Pacific.
JAMIE TAHANAH: What is his legacy at home?
FS: He has done so many things it's hard to pinpoint exactly what are the major issues he has managed to get through. One of the big issues that I can't still get of the top of my head was his fighting for the canneries in American Samoa for the fact that this is one of the largest private industries in the territory and they had been fighting for some of the federal tax credits to continue to remain here in the territory, so that way the canneries can benefit and remain here. But however, as the United States opens up more trades with other countries where tuna is produced in a less costly way, he continued to fight that way. He's fought for funding for infrastructure, for example the roads in American Samoa, school buildings, facilities. In the aftermath of the 2009 tsunami he was the first person that was on the phone calling everyone wanting to know how he can help, and he's available to help. He was such a strong leader and not only a leader as a political leader but a strong leader as a Fa'a in Samoa because with that chiefly title and despite the fact he was in Washington DC most of his time he's was still able to speak that Samoan language fluently addressing it in the cultural way. In the Pacific how you speak to one to speak to one traditional leader to the other. So he did have a lot of respect. Although he made enemies along the way, but he's still coming back to his roots.
JT: American Samoa status - it was a long fight, unsuccessful, but he kept pushing for extra recognition didn't he?
FS: He kept pushing for it, He kept demanding. And that's one the issues he demanded the federal government to make an official statement to the United Nations that what is American Samoa's status. But has has also, over the years, has called on local leaders to see things they should look at to try and consider where American Samoa is moving forward. For example, people born in American Samoa being US citizens. What do people want? Do they want to be a US citizen? Or they still want to keep their current status as US nationals.
JT: So he's been at the forefront of all this, he was voted out in 2014, but how do you think he will be remembered? Is he a revered leader around the islands?
FS: I would say so. I would say he was a revered leader, he was a very good speaker, he would speak his mind.