The U.S. delegation will also include House International Relations Committee Chairman Henry Hyde, House International Relations Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee Chairman Ben Gilman and International Relations Committee member Steve Chabot.

       In a letter to President Bush, House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert recommended that Faleomavaega and Congressman Chabot (R-OH) be appointed as Congressional  Delegates to the United Nations for the 56th Session of the U.N. General Assembly.
In this capacity, Congressman Faleomavaega is to act as an official liaison between the United States Congress and the United Nations.  The one-year post alternates between senior House and Senate members from session to session of the U.N. General Assembly.

       “I am extremely honored that Speaker Hastert nominated me for this important position and I look forward to working with President Bush and Ambassador Negroponte in strengthening America’s leadership in this most vital of international forums,” stated Faleomavaega.  “Despite the horrific attacks of September 11th  in New York, over 150 heads of state/government are expected to attend the U.N. General Assembly meeting, where President Bush will forcefully urge their commitment and support of efforts to eliminate terrorism worldwide.” 

       In addition to the anti-terrorism and security agenda, Faleomavaega noted the U.S. delegation will be briefed on U.N. peacekeeping operations around the world, the status of Afghanistan refugees, continuing management and budgetary reforms at the U.N., and an inspection of the site of the World Trade Center attacks. 

       “While at the United Nations, I look forward to meeting with the leaders of the Pacific Island nations, especially Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi of Samoa.  This is a great opportunity to review regional concerns, such as global climate warming, integration of island economies into the international mainstream, and security developments in the Pacific, among other matters.  I also intend to discuss with U.N. officials the status of decolonization efforts with American Samoa,” concluded Congressman Faleomavaega.