Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has learned last week from reliable sources about the death of Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Sifoa Loa in Iraq.  SSG Loa was killed in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on August 16, 2006 when an improvised explosive devise (IED) exploded.

Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Loa was 32 years of age and had served the United States Army for nine years.  He is the son of Mr. Duke Loa and the late Vaisa’a Ofoia.  He was married to Mary.

“My office has confirmed with the Pentagon about the death of Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Loa,” Faleomavaega said.  “While I was enroute to American Samoa with Chairman Henry Hyde of the House International Relations Committee and other members of Congress on a Congressional Delegation, I was informed that Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Loa has been reported killed in Iraq.  Out of respect to the soldier’s family and the Pentagon’s notification of the next of kin which had not been established, I withheld releasing the soldier’s name at the time.”

“I extend my most heartfelt condolences to Mr. Duke Loa and Mary as well as to the family members and friends of Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Loa on this tragic news,” Faleomavaega concluded.