Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he will serve as the 4^th most senior Democratic member of the House Committee on International Relations.

“The rules of Congress require all Members to serve on committees,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “This is because every Member of Congress represents his State or Territory and also the United States.  In my case, I represent the people of American Samoa and I also represent the United States on behalf of the people of American Samoa.  My committee assignments include service on the International Relations, Resources, and Small Business Committees, and their Subcommittees.”  

“The House Committee on International Relations is made up of seven subcommittees including 1) Asia and the Pacific; 2) the Middle East and Central Asia; 3) Europe and Emerging Threats; 4) Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations; 5) the Western Hemisphere; 6) International Terrorism and Nonproliferation; and 7) Investigations and Oversight.”

“The Committee on International Relations is responsible for relations of the United States with foreign nations generally. This includes intervention abroad and declarations of war like Iraq.  The Committee on International Relations is also responsible for issues involving nuclear nonproliferation and protecting the interests of American businesses abroad.”

“Congressman Henry Hyde, a Republican from Illinois, is the Chairman of the House Committee on International Relations.  Congressman Tom Lantos, a Democrat from California, is the Ranking, or most senior Democratic member of the Committee.”

“As I have said before, Congress is built on seniority.  All freshman, or new Members of Congress, start at the bottom and must wait years to work their way to the top of a Committee.  This includes Republicans, too.  But as a result of the support you have shown for me in the past nine elections, American Samoa now has seniority in Congress and, at a time when our nation is at war, I am pleased to represent your interests and the interests of our military men and women as the 4^th highest-ranking Democrat on the International Relations Committee,” Faleomavaega said.

“I am also pleased to represent American Samoa’s interests on the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee which has jurisdiction for the Andean countries that export tuna to the U.S.  In a separate press release, I have mentioned that I will also serve as the top, or Ranking Democrat of the International Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.”

“As a senior member of these Committees and Subcommittees and with an increased focus in Congress on foreign policy, I am fully committed to doing everything I can to see that your interests are protected and represented.  Your needs are my priority and together we are making a difference,” the Congressman concluded.