American Samoa Senate: Difference between revisions
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| foundation = {{Start date|1948|10|26}} |
| foundation = {{Start date|1948|10|26}} |
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| leader1_type = [[List of presidents of the American Samoa Senate|President]] |
| leader1_type = [[List of presidents of the American Samoa Senate|President]] |
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| leader1 = [[Tuaolo Fruean]] ([[Independent politician|I]]) |
| leader1 = [[Tuaolo Manaia Fruean|Tuaolo Fruean]] ([[Independent politician|I]]) |
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| election1 = January 8, 2021 |
| election1 = January 8, 2021 |
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| seats = 18 |
| seats = 18 |
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{{Politics of American Samoa}} |
{{Politics of American Samoa}} |
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The '''American Samoa Senate''' is the [[upper house]] of the [[American Samoa Fono]]. The Senate, like the [[lower house|lower]] [[American Samoa House of Representatives|House of Representatives]], is a [[nonpartisan]] body. It is composed of 18 senators, serving a four-year term. |
The '''American Samoa Senate''' is the [[upper house]] of the [[American Samoa Fono]]. The Senate, like the [[lower house|lower]] [[American Samoa House of Representatives|House of Representatives]], is a [[Non-partisan democracy|nonpartisan]] body. It is composed of 18 senators, serving a four-year term. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[American Samoa]] became a [[United States]] territory in 1900 and was initially administered by the [[United States Navy|Navy]]. From 1905, annual meetings were held with delegates sent from the local communities, as an advisory council to the [[List of governors of American Samoa|naval governor]].<ref name=naval>[https://books.google.com/books?id=rpNQAQAAMAAJ |
[[American Samoa]] became a [[United States]] territory in 1900 and was initially administered by the [[United States Navy|Navy]]. From 1905, annual meetings were held with delegates sent from the local communities, as an advisory council to the [[List of governors of American Samoa|naval governor]].<ref name=naval>[https://books.google.com/books?id=rpNQAQAAMAAJ Historical Sketch of the Naval Administration of the Government of American Samoa], Capt. T. F. Darden, 1952.</ref><ref name=history>[https://amsamoa.net/politics/history-of-the-fono.html History of the Fono], AmSamoa.net.</ref> |
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In 1948, a bicameral legislature was established, still in advisory capacity. The upper house, named the House of [[Ali‘i]], was composed of 12 members, being the seven high chiefs of [[Tutuila]] and the five high chiefs of [[Manu'a|Manu‘a]].<ref name=naval/><ref name=history/><ref name=yb1953>[https://books.google.com/books?id=edbMDQAAQBAJ The Statesman's Year-Book: Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1953], S. H. Steinberg.</ref><ref name=elite>[https://books.google.com/books?id=z0OsAAAAIAAJ Elite Communication in Samoa: A Study of Leadership], Felix M. Keesing and Marie M. Keesing, 1956.</ref> This legislature was reformed in 1952, after administration of American Samoa had been transferred to the [[United States Department of the Interior|Department of the Interior]]. Members of the House of Ali‘i became advisors to the governor, while a new upper house, named the Senate, was established. There were 15 senators, five from each of the three [[Administrative divisions of American Samoa|districts of American Samoa]] ([[Western District, American Samoa|Western]], [[Eastern District, American Samoa|Eastern]] and [[Manu'a District, American Samoa|Manu‘a]]). Senators were elected in open meetings, according to [[fa'asamoa|Samoan custom]], and had to be holders of a [[fa'amatai|matai]] title.<ref name=history/><ref name=yb1954>[https://books.google.com/books?id=y6TPDQAAQBAJ The Statesman's Year-Book: Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1954], S. H. Steinberg.</ref><ref name=elite/> |
In 1948, a bicameral legislature was established, still in advisory capacity. The upper house, named the House of [[Ali‘i]], was composed of 12 members, being the seven high chiefs of [[Tutuila]] and the five high chiefs of [[Manu'a|Manu‘a]].<ref name=naval/><ref name=history/><ref name=yb1953>[https://books.google.com/books?id=edbMDQAAQBAJ The Statesman's Year-Book: Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1953], S. H. Steinberg.</ref><ref name=elite>[https://books.google.com/books?id=z0OsAAAAIAAJ Elite Communication in Samoa: A Study of Leadership], Felix M. Keesing and Marie M. Keesing, 1956.</ref> This legislature was reformed in 1952, after administration of American Samoa had been transferred to the [[United States Department of the Interior|Department of the Interior]]. Members of the House of Ali‘i became advisors to the governor, while a new upper house, named the Senate, was established. There were 15 senators, five from each of the three [[Administrative divisions of American Samoa|districts of American Samoa]] ([[Western District, American Samoa|Western]], [[Eastern District, American Samoa|Eastern]] and [[Manu'a District, American Samoa|Manu‘a]]). Senators were elected in open meetings, according to [[fa'asamoa|Samoan custom]], and had to be holders of a [[fa'amatai|matai]] title.<ref name=history/><ref name=yb1954>[https://books.google.com/books?id=y6TPDQAAQBAJ The Statesman's Year-Book: Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1954], S. H. Steinberg.</ref><ref name=elite/> |
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|align=right| 4 || [[Vaifanua County|Vaifanua]] || [[HC Satele Aliitai Lilio]] |
|align=right| 4 || [[Vaifanua County|Vaifanua]] || [[HC Satele Aliitai Lilio]] |
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|align=right rowspan=2| 5 ||rowspan=2| [[Sua County|Sua]] || [[Muagututiʻa |
|align=right rowspan=2| 5 ||rowspan=2| [[Sua County|Sua]] || [[Muagututiʻa Moevasa Tauoa]] |
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|[[Togiola Tulafono]] |
|[[Togiola Tulafono]] |
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== Past composition of the Senate == |
== Past composition of the Senate == |
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{{main|Political party strength in American Samoa}} |
{{main|Political party strength in American Samoa}} |
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==External links== |
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* [https://www.asfono.gov/senate Official website] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist|30em}} |
{{reflist|30em}} |
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{{American Samoa Senate}} |
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{{American Samoa}} |
{{American Samoa}} |
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{{United States legislatures}} |
{{United States legislatures}} |
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Latest revision as of 15:42, 13 May 2024
American Samoa Senate | |
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| American Samoa Fono | |
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| Type | |
| Type | |
Term limits | None |
| History | |
| Founded | October 26, 1948 |
| Leadership | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 18 |
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Political groups |
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Length of term | 4 years |
| Salary | $25,000/year |
| Website | |
| www | |
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The American Samoa Senate is the upper house of the American Samoa Fono. The Senate, like the lower House of Representatives, is a nonpartisan body. It is composed of 18 senators, serving a four-year term.
History[edit]
American Samoa became a United States territory in 1900 and was initially administered by the Navy. From 1905, annual meetings were held with delegates sent from the local communities, as an advisory council to the naval governor.[1][2]
In 1948, a bicameral legislature was established, still in advisory capacity. The upper house, named the House of Ali‘i, was composed of 12 members, being the seven high chiefs of Tutuila and the five high chiefs of Manu‘a.[1][2][3][4] This legislature was reformed in 1952, after administration of American Samoa had been transferred to the Department of the Interior. Members of the House of Ali‘i became advisors to the governor, while a new upper house, named the Senate, was established. There were 15 senators, five from each of the three districts of American Samoa (Western, Eastern and Manu‘a). Senators were elected in open meetings, according to Samoan custom, and had to be holders of a matai title.[2][5][4]
In 1960, the first constitution of American Samoa was adopted. The Senate became composed of 15 members: one from each of the then 14 counties, elected for four-year terms, and an additional senator rotating from the then four counties of the Western District, elected for two-year terms.[2][6] In 1967, the revised constitution modified the Senate to 18 members, all elected for four-year terms: two from the combined counties of Ta‘ū island; one from the combined counties of Ofu-Olosega; three from Ma‘oputasi county; two each from Sua, Itu‘au and Tualauta counties; and one from each of the six remaining counties. Under both constitutions, senators are elected according to Samoan custom by the county councils and must be holders of a matai title.[2][7]
Fano Solinuu Shimasaki was the first woman to serve in the American Samoa Senate.[8]
List of senators[edit]
As of 2021, the members of the American Samoa Senate are:[9]
Voting[edit]
The American Samoa Senate is the only legislature of its kind in the entire United States, both state and territorial, that is not directly elected by the voting population. Instead, the Senate's voting franchise is strictly limited to the various chiefs of the islands.[11]
Past composition of the Senate[edit]
External links[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e History of the Fono, AmSamoa.net.
- ^ The Statesman's Year-Book: Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1953, S. H. Steinberg.
- ^ a b Elite Communication in Samoa: A Study of Leadership, Felix M. Keesing and Marie M. Keesing, 1956.
- ^ The Statesman's Year-Book: Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1954, S. H. Steinberg.
- ^ Constitution of American Samoa, 1960.
- ^ Revised Constitution of American Samoa, American Samoa Bar Association.
- ^ "To all the women of American Samoa who came before us". Office of U.S. Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman. Samoa News. 2021-03-05. Archived from the original on 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
- ^ "American Samoa Legislature (Fono)". Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ a b 2.0202 Districts, American Samoa Bar Association.
- ^ "american samoa". american samoa. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
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