Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Pacific Night celebration this year was a tremendous success due to the attendance by members of the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders and the special appearance by Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the United States House of Representatives.

Pacific Night is the largest single annual event in the North-East region of the United States that brings together all the Pacific Island Embassies, Congressional and Senatorial offices representing the Pacific, representatives of the Federal government, and Pacific Islander communities in the area.  The event is an opportunity for officials from the Pacific to meet with representatives of the federal government – the Administration, Congress, the academic and private sectors in a less formal setting.  The event also allows the Pacific Islander community to showcase and celebrate its diverse cultures, peoples, cuisines, and entertainment with those in the Washington, DC area.

“Without doubt, this year’s Pacific Night was a historical one because of the attendance of our Pacific Island leaders,” Faleomavaega said. 

“For the first time, the honorable members of our Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders have come to meet in Washington, DC and upon learning about it, we immediately moved our Pacific Night celebration to coincide with the ending of their meetings.  I want to extend to all the members of the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders and President Charles Morrison of East-West Center and his staff my sincere appreciation for bringing their meeting to Washington and for joining us in our Pacific Night celebration this year.”

“Also, this year’s Pacific Night was historic in that while the House was still in session and some very critical legislations that required her complete attention were being debated and voted on the House Floor, the Honorable Speaker Nancy Pelosi was able to honor my personal invitation and came to address our Pacific Island leaders at Pacific Night.  It was heartwarming and reassuring to me and our Pacific Island leaders to hear her reaffirmed Congress’ support for the Pacific Island nations as she continues the legacy of the late Congressman Phillip Burton.  For that and more, I want to express my utmost appreciation to Speaker Pelosi for her strong leadership and kind consideration by making our Pacific Island leaders dignified and welcomed in our nation’s capital.”

“At this time, I want to thank all the business sponsors and the different offices and organizations that helped organize our Pacific Night celebration this year.  This was by far one of the most successful Pacific Night celebration we have had.  The lei’s and entertainment were beautiful and the variety of delicious Pacific Island cuisines were abundant and representative of our diverse Pacific Island cultures,” Faleomavaega concluded.