“The Commission has invited me to participate in this conference and has also requested my assistance in informing the public of this meeting.  Although my Congressional duties in Washington do not permit me to attend this town hall meeting,” Congressman Faleomavaega said, “I have agreed to assist the Commission by encouraging any interested individuals or organizations to participate.”

       “The Commission will use community testimonies collected during this Pacific Town Hall Meeting, as well as information gathered at other sites visits conducted across the nation, as a basis for formulating their recommendations to be submitted to the President in May of 2003,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.      

       “The Commission has asked that I also submit testimony, which I intend to do.  For the first time in the history of our nation, President Bill Clinton established the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and I have always been a strong supporter of the Commission’s goals.  In fact, I nominated our first Samoan Commissioner, Ms. Jacinta Folasa Titialii, to President Clinton’s Advisory Commission.  Ms. Titialii served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for the second largest investor-owned health care management company in the United States, and I believe she did an outstanding job in raising awareness and improving the well being of Pacific Islanders,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.

       “I also want to commend Mrs. Amata Coleman Radewagen for serving on our current Commission and I want to lend my support to David Cohen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs.  Mr. Cohen has been asked to speak about major issues affecting the U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States and I am pleased that Mr. Cohen will have this opportunity to share his views with the Commission.”

       “Although I am disappointed that budget constraints prevented the Commission from visiting the U.S. Territory of American Samoa, I want to thank the Commission for requesting my input and for re-emphasizing that the President’s Advisory Commission is a bi-partisan Commission.  It is a Commission made up of both Republicans and Democrats committed to increasing opportunities and improving the quality of life of almost 13 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “The Commission deserves the support of Congress and I am pleased to support its goals.”