A.U. Fuimaono
Encyclopedia
A.U. Fuimaono was an American Samoa
n politician
and Paramount Chief
who served as American Samoa
's first Delegate-at-Large to the United States House of Representatives from 1970 until 1974. Fuimaono also served as the Governor of Western District, American Samoa
on the island of Tutuila
from his appointment in 1993 until his death in 2008.
, Poyer School and Samoana High School. Fuimaono went on to obtain his teaching certification from Feleti Memorial Teachers Training School.
Fuimaono enlisted and served in the United States Navy
for four years.
. Fuimaono helped to establish the first Political Status Commission, which was held in 1969.
in 1970 as American Samoa’s first Delegate to the United States House of Representatives
.
While serving in the House, Fuimaono hired a young Eni Faleomavaega as an administrative assistant
. The position was Faleomavaega's first job after graduating from law school
. Faleomavaega, who is currently serving as the incumbent Delegate
for American Samoa, later spoke of Fuimaono's influence on his career saying, "In fact, he was the first person who exposed me to Washington D.C. I would not be here as American Samoa’s congressional representative if it had not been for Fuimaono, who served as our first elected representative to Washington."
from 1975 until 1978 in the 14th and 15th American Samoan Legislatures. During this tenure, Fuimaono also served as President of the Senate
for 18 months.
Fuimaono left the Senate in 1978 to take a Cabinet
position. He returned to the Senate following the end of his Cabinet position. He served again in the Senate from 1985 until 1992 during the 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd American Samoan Legislatures. Ultimately, Fuimaono served in all three branches of the American Samoan government, including as a legal advisor on Samoan matters within the territorial Judiciary
.
in 1993. He served as Governor until his death in 2008. Fuimaono was unable to attend many public events in 2008 due to failing health.
for a number of American Samoan committees and organizations throughout his career. He served as Chairman of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa. He also worked as chairman of the American Samoa Red Cross, Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America
Samoa's Aloha Council and Chairman of Future Farmers of Samoa
.
At one point, Fuimaono joined StarKist Tuna as the company's Director of Government and Industrial Relations in the private sector
. StarKist Tuna has a large cannery and processing facilities in American Samoa.
, American Samoa
, at the age of 85. Fuimaono was survived by his children, including daughters, Lentoy, Renita, Agalei, Agalofa, son, Raul Fuimaono and grandchildren. His wife died in December 2000.
The American Samoa Senate
observed a moment of silence
in Fuimaono's honor during its session on September 10, 2008. Governor Togiola Tulafono
ordered all American flags lowered to half-staff.
Tributes poured in from across American Samoa. American Samoa Governor Togiola Tulafono
said that American Samoa had lost a great leader, "We will forever be grateful to his leadership, dedication and contribution. He will be greatly missed." Representative Eni Faleomavaega said that Fuimaono "was like a father to me."
Fuimaono's daughter, Lentoy Matagi, told Pacific Magazine
that, "My father instilled in all of his children many values, including church, education, and Samoan culture, and we cherish all of those important values everyday of our lives."
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
n politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and Paramount Chief
Paramount chief
A paramount chief is the highest-level traditional chief or political leader in a regional or local polity or country typically administered politically with a chief-based system. This definition is used occasionally in anthropological and archaeological theory to refer to the rulers of multiple...
who served as American Samoa
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
's first Delegate-at-Large to the United States House of Representatives from 1970 until 1974. Fuimaono also served as the Governor of Western District, American Samoa
Western District, American Samoa
The Western District is one of the primary divisions of American Samoa. It consists of the western portion of Tutuila Island. It has a land area of 74.781 km² and contains 29 villages plus a part of Nu'uuli village. Among these is the largest village of American Samoa, Tafuna, at its eastern end...
on the island of Tutuila
Tutuila
Tutuila is the largest and the main island of American Samoa in the archipelago of Samoan Islands. It is the third largest island in the Samoan Islands chain of the Central Pacific located roughly northeast of Brisbane, Australia and over northeast of Fiji. It contains a large, natural harbor,...
from his appointment in 1993 until his death in 2008.
Early life
A.U. Fuimaono was educated at the Marist Brothers Catholic SchoolMarist Brothers
The Marist Brothers, or Little Brothers of Mary, are a Catholic religious order of brothers and affiliated lay people. The order was founded in France, at La Valla-en-Gier near Lyon in 1817 by Saint Marcellin Champagnat, a young French priest of the Society of Mary...
, Poyer School and Samoana High School. Fuimaono went on to obtain his teaching certification from Feleti Memorial Teachers Training School.
Fuimaono enlisted and served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
for four years.
Early career
Fuimaono was a full Samoan chiefTribal chief
A tribal chief is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom. Tribal societies with social stratification under a single leader emerged in the Neolithic period out of earlier tribal structures with little stratification, and they remained prevalent throughout the Iron Age.In the case of ...
. Fuimaono helped to establish the first Political Status Commission, which was held in 1969.
Delegate to the United States House of Representatives
Fuimaono arrived in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
in 1970 as American Samoa’s first Delegate to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
.
While serving in the House, Fuimaono hired a young Eni Faleomavaega as an administrative assistant
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant is a broad job category that designates an individual who provides various kinds of administrative support to people and groups in business enterprises.-Kinds of Administrative Assistants:...
. The position was Faleomavaega's first job after graduating from law school
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
. Faleomavaega, who is currently serving as the incumbent Delegate
Delegate (United States Congress)
A delegate to Congress is a non-voting member of the United States House of Representatives who is elected from a U.S. territory and from Washington, D.C. to a two-year term. While unable to vote in the full House, a non-voting delegate may vote in a House committee of which the delegate is a member...
for American Samoa, later spoke of Fuimaono's influence on his career saying, "In fact, he was the first person who exposed me to Washington D.C. I would not be here as American Samoa’s congressional representative if it had not been for Fuimaono, who served as our first elected representative to Washington."
American Samoan government
Fuimaono left Washington D.C. in 1974 and returned to American Samoa. He was elected to the American Samoa SenateAmerican Samoa Senate
The American Samoa Senate is the upper house of the American Samoa Fono. The Senate, like the lower House of Representatives, is a nonpartisan body. It is composed of 18 senators, serving a four-year term.-List of Senators:* Utu Abe Malae...
from 1975 until 1978 in the 14th and 15th American Samoan Legislatures. During this tenure, Fuimaono also served as President of the Senate
President of the Senate
The President of the Senate is a title often given to the presiding officer of a senate, and is the speaker of other assemblies.The senate president often ranks high in a jurisdiction's succession for its top executive office: for example, the President of the Senate of Nigeria is second in line...
for 18 months.
Fuimaono left the Senate in 1978 to take a Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
position. He returned to the Senate following the end of his Cabinet position. He served again in the Senate from 1985 until 1992 during the 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd American Samoan Legislatures. Ultimately, Fuimaono served in all three branches of the American Samoan government, including as a legal advisor on Samoan matters within the territorial Judiciary
Judiciary
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes...
.
Governor of Western District
Fuimaono was appointed governor of Western District, American SamoaWestern District, American Samoa
The Western District is one of the primary divisions of American Samoa. It consists of the western portion of Tutuila Island. It has a land area of 74.781 km² and contains 29 villages plus a part of Nu'uuli village. Among these is the largest village of American Samoa, Tafuna, at its eastern end...
in 1993. He served as Governor until his death in 2008. Fuimaono was unable to attend many public events in 2008 due to failing health.
Other roles
Fuimaono also sat on the board of directorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
for a number of American Samoan committees and organizations throughout his career. He served as Chairman of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa. He also worked as chairman of the American Samoa Red Cross, Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America
Samoa's Aloha Council and Chairman of Future Farmers of Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
.
At one point, Fuimaono joined StarKist Tuna as the company's Director of Government and Industrial Relations in the private sector
Private sector
In economics, the private sector is that part of the economy, sometimes referred to as the citizen sector, which is run by private individuals or groups, usually as a means of enterprise for profit, and is not controlled by the state...
. StarKist Tuna has a large cannery and processing facilities in American Samoa.
Honors
Fuimaono was awarded the Governor's Humanitarian Award in 2000. The award, which is sponsored by the Amerika Samoa Humanities Council was established in 1996 by former Governor A.P. Lutali. Fuimaono was given the honor for his role as a church, governmental and traditional Samoan leader.Death
A.U. Fuimaono died around 9 P.M. on September 9, 2008, at LBJ Tropical Medical Center in Faga'aluFaga'alu
Faga'alu is a village in central Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located on the eastern shore of Pago Pago Harbor, to the south of Pago Pago. American Samoa's lone hospital is in Faga'alu....
, American Samoa
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
, at the age of 85. Fuimaono was survived by his children, including daughters, Lentoy, Renita, Agalei, Agalofa, son, Raul Fuimaono and grandchildren. His wife died in December 2000.
The American Samoa Senate
American Samoa Senate
The American Samoa Senate is the upper house of the American Samoa Fono. The Senate, like the lower House of Representatives, is a nonpartisan body. It is composed of 18 senators, serving a four-year term.-List of Senators:* Utu Abe Malae...
observed a moment of silence
Moment of silence
A moment of silence is the expression for a period of silent contemplation, prayer, reflection, or meditation. Similar to flying a flag at half-mast, a moment of silence is often a gesture of respect, particularly in mourning for those who have recently died or as part of a commemoration ceremony...
in Fuimaono's honor during its session on September 10, 2008. Governor Togiola Tulafono
Togiola Tulafono
Togiola Talalelei A. Tulafono is the Governor of American Samoa. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He had previously served as Lieutenant Governor, taking this position on January 3, 1997....
ordered all American flags lowered to half-staff.
Tributes poured in from across American Samoa. American Samoa Governor Togiola Tulafono
Togiola Tulafono
Togiola Talalelei A. Tulafono is the Governor of American Samoa. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He had previously served as Lieutenant Governor, taking this position on January 3, 1997....
said that American Samoa had lost a great leader, "We will forever be grateful to his leadership, dedication and contribution. He will be greatly missed." Representative Eni Faleomavaega said that Fuimaono "was like a father to me."
Fuimaono's daughter, Lentoy Matagi, told Pacific Magazine
Pacific Magazine
Pacific Magazine was a regional news and current affairs magazine and online news agency specializing in the coverage of the Pacific Islands region, including Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia...
that, "My father instilled in all of his children many values, including church, education, and Samoan culture, and we cherish all of those important values everyday of our lives."