Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he is
pleased that the residents of American Samoa are working together to protect
our fragile island economy.
“I want to thank the 10,000 residents of American Samoa who signed
a petition in support of our efforts to urge Congress to exclude canned
tuna from the Andean Trade Preference Act,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.
“I am pleased that our joint efforts have prompted StarKist to announce
that American Samoa is now the permanent home of Charlie the Tuna.”
“I am hopeful that our local leaders will take note of StarKist’s
new pledge of commitment to the Territory, particularly during the course
of our next minimum wage hearings. We are well aware that StarKist
has repeatedly testified that if duties were eliminated in low labor cost
areas and wages were increased, it would take its business elsewhere.
I am pleased to know that this will no longer be the case,” Congressman
Faleomavaega said.
“I want to thank Mr. Herman Gebauer, General Manager for COS/Packing
for his letter of support and his continued commitment to save the jobs
of more than 1,000 workers in American Samoa. I also want to thank
the U.S. tuna boat owners for their courage and support. I am hopeful
that StarKist will soon join our efforts to protect the interests of American
Samoa,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.
“As StarKist stated, ‘a decrease in production or departure of one
or both of the existing processors [in American Samoa] could devastate
the local economy resulting in massive unemployment and insurmountable
financial problems.’ Because the Andean Trade Preference Agreement
(ATPA) threatens employment at COS Samoa Packing, I must continue to oppose
the ATPA expansion legislation as currently proposed,” Congressman Faleomavaega
said.
“At this time, I am pleased to announce that I have been able to
gain the support of Senator Orrin Hatch, Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee
on International Trade. This committee is responsible for reviewing
S.525 – the Andean Trade Preference Expansion Act and making a determination
about what should or should not be included in the legislation,” Congressman
Faleomavaega said. “Senator Hatch understands the serious threat
this legislation poses to the economy of American Samoa and is committed
to doing what he can to protect the interests of our Territory.”
“Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK), Frank Murkowski (R-AK), Daniel Inouye
(D-HI), and Daniel Akaka (D-HI) are also supporting our efforts.
In fact, these Senators, along with Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham
(R-CA) and Congressman Acevedo-Vila (D-PR), signed on to a letter I sent
to members of the Senate Finance Committee expressing our joint concerns
about the inclusion of canned tuna in the ATPA,” Congressman Faleomavaega
said.
“I believe it is important for the people of American Samoa to know
that we are not alone,” Congressman Faleomavaega said. “For more
than three months, I have been working behind the scenes to build a bi-partisan
coalition of support. More than 34 U.S. businesses, including ConAgra
– an $27 billion corporation three times the size of H.J. Heinz – and parent
company of Bumble Bee, are supporting American Samoa and the U.S. tuna
industry. Puerto Rico’s Governor’s office is also supporting us.”
“I have also brought this matter to the attention of our local leaders,”
Congressman Faleomavaega said. “Over the course of the past several
months, I have written letters to the Governor and our Fono members and
informed them about pending legislation that would include canned tuna
in the ATPA. I also attached letters from the CEOs of Chicken of
the Sea and Bumble Bee in which both outlined the negative impact this
legislation would have on the American Samoa tuna industry.”
“I also visited with the Governor and Lt. Governor about this matter
during my last visit to the Territory. I am sure the Governor and
our local legislature will be making their decision in the near future,”
Congressman Faleomavaega said.
“I have also written the Secretary of the Interior, the Honorable
Gale Norton, and requested her assistance. I am hopeful that the
U.S. Department of Interior – the lead federal agency for American Samoa
-- will support our efforts to protect our fragile, island economy, which
depends almost entirely on the tuna fishing and processing industries.”
“I am confident that as this matter progresses, American Samoa will
continue to gain support from industry leaders and other members of Congress,
both Republican and
Democrat,” Congressman Faleomavaega said. “I am also hopeful
that as a result of our united efforts we will be able to reach a compromise
that saves local jobs and protects the interests of American Samoa in this
time of national crisis.”
“I respect StarKist’s decision to do what is in its best corporate
interest,” Congressman Faleomavaega said. “I have said before, and
I will say again, if workers at StarKist were threatened with lay-offs
as a result of the ATPA, I would work as aggressively to save their jobs.
Since this is not the case, I must work to save the jobs of more than 1,000
workers at COS Samoa Packing. I hope StarKist can also be respectful
of my position.” |
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