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[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

    IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL GUARD UNIT IN 
                             AMERICAN SAMOA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation 
that will authorize the Secretary of the Department of Defense to 
establish a National Guard unit in American Samoa.
  Mr. Speaker, the National Guard has a long, proud history in the 
United States. As part of their federal duties, National Guard units 
have been mobilized to supplement regular armed forces during times of 
war or national emergencies. As State entities, National Guard units 
have been utilized in their respective States upon declaration of a 
State of Emergency.
  National Guard troops have been activated in response to emergencies 
as a result of snowstorms, droughts, flooding, earthquakes, and other 
natural hazards that require providing basic necessities to people 
across the country. Indeed, one is reminded that National Guard units 
played a major role in providing security and assisting recovery 
efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, in September 2005.
  Mr. Speaker, today, there are 54 separate National Guard units--one 
for each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia, plus Puerto 
Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There is no National Guard 
unit in American Samoa.
  Mr. Speaker, on September 29, 2009, American Samoa was hit by a 
powerful earthquake which struck below the ocean about 140 miles 
southwest of Pago Pago, American Samoa, and 125 miles south of Samoa. 
The earthquake, which registered 8.3 on the Richter scale, set off a 
massive tsunami that crashed into American Samoa. Entire villages were 
devastated creating a disaster of epic proportion in the Territory.
  Mr. Speaker, one of the lessons of the 2009 Tsunami is the fact that 
American Samoa is prone to disasters and we must be prepared. 
Especially, with American Samoa being out there on its own in the midst 
of the vast South Pacific Ocean, it is very difficult to coordinate and 
organize first responders from the mainland. Having a National Guard 
unit is extremely helpful when there is a State emergency.
  In addition, American Samoa has a per capita enlistment rate in the 
U.S. military which is higher than any State or U.S. Territory. Our 
sons and daughters have served in record numbers in every U.S. military 
engagement from WWII to present operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. We 
have stood by the United States in good times and bad, and I believe 
this relationship would only be strengthened by establishing a National 
Guard unit in American Samoa.
  For these reasons, I am pleased to introduce legislation today to 
establish a National Guard unit in American Samoa. I understand that 
there are several other issues to consider in order to fulfill the 
objectives of this legislation. My hope is to work together with my 
colleagues to make improvements and adjustments as needed.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.

                          ____________________
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