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SEC. 7. AMERICAN MEMORIAL PARK.
Section 5 of Public Law 95–348 (92 Stat. 492) is
amended by striking subsection (f).
SEC. 8. AMERICAN SAMOA STUDY COMMISSION.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that—
(1) the islands of Tutuila and Manua, and cer-
tain other islands that compose American Samoa,
were ceded by the chiefs of the islands to the United
States by two treaties or deeds of cession which were
submitted to the United States Congress on April
10, 1900, and July 16, 1904;
(2) American Samoa’s status as an unorganized
and unincorporated territory of the United States,
and American Samoa’s political relationship to the
United States, are not clearly defined in any single
document;
(3) there is a need for a comprehensive study
and review of the historical and legal basis of Amer-
ican Samoa’s political relationship with the United
States, including—
(A) a comprehensive report on American
Samoa’s present political relationship with the
United States, as compared to other relation-
ships such as independence, commonwealth, and
free association; and
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(B) an examination of whether the treaties
or deeds of cession created trust obligations to
American Samoa on the part of the United
States;
(4) the economic and social needs of American
Samoa are substantially affected by the nature of
American Samoa’s political relationship with the
United States; and
(5) there is a need for a comprehensive study
also of Swains Island and its historical relationship
with the Tokelau Island Group.
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a com-
mission to be known as the ‘‘American Samoa Study Com-
mission’’ (hereafter in this section referred to as the
‘‘Commission’’).
(c) DUTIES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—It shall be the duty of the
Commission—
(A) to study and evaluate all the factors
that led to American Samoa’s political relation-
ship with the United States, including—
(i) the events that led to the cession
to the United States of the islands that
compose American Samoa; and
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(ii) the constitutions, statutes, trea-
ties, and agreements that affect American
Samoa’s political relationship with the
United States;
(B) to document and report on the nature
of American Samoa’s political relationship with
the United States; to document and also report
on such political relationships as independence,
commonwealth, and free association;
(C) to study and evaluate the impact of
American Samoa’s political status and relation-
ship with the United States (as determined by
the Commission under subparagraph (B)) on
the economic and social needs of American
Samoa and its residents;
(D) to study and report on whether the
1900 and 1904 instruments of cession were in-
deed treaties or deeds and how such instru-
ments are recognized under international law;
and
(E) to study and report on options avail-
able to improve American Samoa’s economic
self-sufficiency, given its remote location, lim-
ited land size, and changing world economics.
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(2) CONSULTATION.—The Commission shall, to
the maximum extent practicable, consult with Amer-
ican Samoans in carrying out the duties of the Com-
mission under paragraph (1).
(d) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Com-
mission shall be composed of five members appointed
as follows:
(A) Three members appointed by the Sec-
retary of Interior, including—
(i) one member appointed from among
three individuals nominated by the legisla-
ture of the Territorial government of
American Samoa; and
(ii) one member appointed from
among three individuals nominated by the
Governor of American Samoa.
(B) One member appointed by the Speaker
of the United States House of Representatives.
(C) One member appointed by the Presi-
dent of the United States Senate.
(2) TERMS.—Each member shall be appointed
for the life of the Commission.
(3) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Commis-
sion shall serve without compensation, but may be
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reimbursed for travel, subsistence and other nec-
essary expenses incurred by them in the performance
of their duties.
(4) QUORUM.—Three members of the Commis-
sion shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number
may hold hearings.
(5) CHAIRPERSON; VICE
CHAIRPERSON.—The
chairperson and vice chairperson of the Commission
shall be elected by the members.
(6) MEETINGS.—(A) Not later than the expira-
tion date of the 90 day period beginning on the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the
Interior shall call the initial meeting of the members
of the Commission.
(B) The chairperson or a majority of the mem-
bers of the Commission shall call any meeting of the
Commission that occurs after the meeting called
under subparagraph (A).
(e) TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Within funds available for
the Commission, the Secretary of the Interior shall
provide such office space, furnishings, equipment,
staff, and fiscal and administrative services as the
Commission may require.