“First and foremost, I want to commend the class of 2003 for reaching this important milestone,” the Congressman said.  “Commencement means beginning and now more than ever I am convinced that graduation should be a time for new beginnings.”

       “For those who have just graduated from high school, I hope you will seriously consider pursuing a college degree in the field of your choice and return home to American Samoa to serve our people.  For those who have graduated from ASCC, I also want to encourage you to pursue your four-year and graduate degrees.  Study medicine, law, engineering, marine biology, education and other fields of learning that will be beneficial to American Samoa.  American Samoa needs doctors, lawyers, nurses, educators, engineers and marine biologists to build our infrastructure for the sake of generations to come,” Faleomavaega said.

       “We also need our young people to study trades, industries and technology.  Currently, ASCC offers our students an opportunity to study auto mechanics, welding, computer-assisted drafting, computer technology, electronics, and other vocational trades and I believe we should encourage and support our students who are gifted in these fields.”  

       “Finally, I want to thank the students of ASCC and Manumalo Baptist High School for inviting me to be their commencement speaker this year,” Faleomavaega said.  “Although I was also invited to the White House to welcome the President of the Philippines, the students at ASCC and Manumalo Baptist High School had already asked me to be their commencement speaker and, as everyone knows, there are only two flights in and out of American Samoa.  Given the choice between welcoming the President of the Philippines and being with our graduates, I can say American Samoa is and always will be my priority.”

       “I can also say that no matter what goes on in Washington what goes on in American Samoa will always be more important to me.  This is why I want to once again thank the students of ASCC and Manumalo Baptist High for inviting me to be their commencement speaker.  It was an honor for me share in their graduations and I extend my congratulations and best wishes to all of American Samoa’s 2003 graduates,” the Congressman concluded.