Date: 2000-05-23
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I want to thank my colleague for yielding me this time. and I join with my colleagues in congratulating the people of American Samoa. I support the passage of this resolution. which expresses the sense of the House on the occasion of American Samoas centennial celebration of the raising of the U.S. flag in their territory. I am delighted to be a cosponsor. and I know many of our colleagues express their support for this resolution. Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the gentleman for all of the work that he does in the Congress. not just on behalf of the people of American Samoa and this resolution and so many other activities that he has engaged in. but he also shoulders a large responsibility in our Committee on Resources. both on many. many Native American issues and on our public lands issues. and I thank him for bringing this resolution to the floor: Mr. Speaker. today I rise to greet the people of American Samoa with a warm Talofa and offer my support for the passage of H. Res. 443 which expresses the sense of .the House of Representatives on the occasion of American Samoas centennial celebration of raising the U.S. flag in their territory. I am delighted to be a cosponsor to this resolution and congratulate people of American Samoa on their continuing relationship with the United States. One hundred years ago. the flag of the United States of America was raised on the South Pacific Islands of Tutuila and Aunuu. what is now widely known as American Samoa. It was an act of friendship and understanding on behalf of the traditional chiefs of those islands that a new relationship with America would be beneficial for their people. For America. the sentiment was mutual. The warmth and charm of American Samoa was not first witnessed however by Americans. Archeologists estimate that the settlement of the islands that comprise American Samoa occurred six hundred years before Christ. And for the next three thousand years. the inhabitants became stewards of the land and masters of the seas. In 1768. a French explorer was so impressed with the sailing skills of the natives that he named the islands "LArchipel des Navigateurs" or the Navigator Islands. In 1785. French navigator Jean Francois La Perouse commandedan expedition to explore the Pacific. Two years later. in 1787. he landed on the shores of the northern coast of Tutuila. This is the first recorded landing of foreigners on the islands of American Samoa. This encounter marked the "opening up" of American Samoa to the outside world and they became regular stops along trade routes of whale products. sandalwood. and bechedemer to China. In 1839. the U.S. began to formally acknowledge the need for a relationship with the islands of Samoa. Recommendations from Navy Commander Charles Wilkes. who visited Samoa. to have a structured relationship with Samoa gave rise to increased visits from the U.S. military. Eventually. in 1878. a "treaty of friendship and commerce" with the people of Samoa was ratified by the U.S. Senate. Thus. the beginnings of Americas connection with the people of Samoa were rooted in peace. friendship. and an interest towards improving their economy. One hundred years ago. on April 17. 1900. this relationship deepened. It is why we are on this floor todayto recognize and celebrate this anniversary with the people of American Samoa. Through a treaty of cession. American Samoa was brought into the American family and has remained a valuable asset to this nation. Their service. sacrifice. and contribution to the continuing experiment of democracy is to be commended. In turn. our nation continues to assist the development of their economy while always being mindful of the importance of tradition and culture to their people. American Samoan society of years past remains. much as it is today. with the leadership and affairs of the island and people entrusted to elders and high chiefs. They are the politicians and the negotiators for the people. The respect and trust accorded to their elders is an aspect of their culture that has stood the test of time. Despite the influence of westernization. the wisdon and -leadership of their elders has kept their culture. traditions. and language intact. As members of our American family. men and women of American Samoa have served in our military. contributed to the cultural diversity of our American community. and they continue to play a part in the political discourse of our nation. As much as American Samoa has enjoyed its relationship with the U.S.. we should be equally grateful for their participation in our democracy. Surely. America would not be who she is.today without the contributions made from the people of American Samoa. It is an honor and a personal privilege to join the people of American Samoa in their centennial celebration and I commend them for their demonstrated patriotism throughout the past one hundred years. I encourage full support from my colleagues for the passage of H. Res. 443.