Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that Ms. Ianeta Sailauama Tuia has been selected to serve as a Congressional Page for the upcoming fall term scheduled to begin September 2005.  Ms. Ianeta Tuia attends Faga’itua High School where she is an honor student with a 3.92 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society.  She is the daughter of Mr. Pouafe Tuia and Mrs. Lotofaatasi Tuia of Auto, American Samoa. 

            The U.S. Congressional Page Program is one of the most prestigious academic programs offered by Congress.  The House Page School has been active for more than 200 years.  Qualified applicants must be at least sixteen years of age and must be sponsored by a Member of Congress.  The Page Program is highly competitive where 72 available Page positions are selected from a pool of 440 qualified applicants.  Former and current Members of Congress have served as Congressional Pages.

Congressional Pages are employees of the U.S. Congress serving a very important role as carriers for the Members of Congress and at the same time attending vigorous classes with the House Page School.  The House Page School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.  After class, the pages are responsible for carrying documents between the different Members of the House and Senate as well as the Library of Congress.  They also prepare both House and Senate Chambers before convening for daily business.  The pages distribute the Congressional Record and the daily agenda to the Members of Congress and assist with various tasks within the cloakrooms.

            “I want to congratulate Ms. Ianeta Sailauama Tuia for her acceptance as a page with the U.S. Congressional Page Program in Washington, D.C,” said Congressman Faleomavaega.  “The page position is one of the most sought opportunities that are rare for many high school students throughout the U.S.  It is fortunate that American Samoa was given the opportunity to appoint one for this Fall Semester and I am grateful to Minority Leader Pelosi for accepting my nomination of Ianeta.”

“Ianeta has been an outstanding individual who has excelled in all aspects of her social, family, and academic life.  Her hard work and ambition have afforded her the opportunity to work as a Congressional Page and she will undoubtedly make the people of American Samoa proud.  She strives among her peers and I know that such a trait will help her succeed as a page.  This will be a wonderful opportunity for her to personally experience the process of how our laws are made and will expose her to the diversity of our nation’s capital,” said Congressman Faleomavaega.

“Again, I want to thank the Democratic House Leadership for their support of my nomination for Ianeta.  I also want to congratulate the parents of Ianeta, Mr. Pouafe Tuia and Mrs. Lotofaatasi Tuia, for their efforts and allowing Ianeta to fulfill her nomination.  I pray for her success and wish her the very best,” concluded Congressman Faleomavaega.