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{{Short description|Upper house of the American Samoa Fono}}
{{Infobox legislature
{{Infobox legislature
| name = American Samoa Senate
| name = American Samoa Senate
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| term_limits = None
| term_limits = None
| foundation = {{Start date|1948|10|26}}
| foundation = {{Start date|1948|10|26}}
| leader1_type = President of the Senate
| leader1_type = [[List of presidents of the American Samoa Senate|President]]
| leader1 = [[Gaoteote Palaie Tofau]]
| leader1 = [[Tuaolo Manaia Fruean|Tuaolo Fruean]] ([[Independent politician|I]])
| election1 = January 8, 2021
| seats = 18
| seats = 18
| structure1 = American Samoa Senate.svg
| structure1 = American Samoa Senate.svg
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| term_length = 4 years
| term_length = 4 years
| salary = $25,000/year
| salary = $25,000/year
| website = {{URL|www.americansamoa.gov/legislative-branch-fono}}
| website = {{URL|www.americansamoa.gov/fono}}
}}
}}
{{Politics of American Samoa}}
{{Politics of American Samoa}}
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.


==History==
==History==
[[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&printsec=frontcover 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>
[[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>


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/>


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.<ref name=history/><ref>[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044082395062 Constitution of American Samoa], 1960.</ref> 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 [[Maoputasi County|Ma‘oputasi]] county; two each from [[Sua County|Sua]], [[Ituau County|Itu‘au]] and [[Tualauta County|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.<ref name=history/><ref>[https://new.asbar.org/revised-constitution-of-american-samoa Revised Constitution of American Samoa], American Samoa Bar Association.</ref>
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.<ref name=history/><ref>[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044082395062 Constitution of American Samoa], 1960.</ref> 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 [[Maoputasi County|Ma‘oputasi]] county; two each from [[Sua County|Sua]], [[Ituau County|Itu‘au]] and [[Tualauta County|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.<ref name=history/><ref>[https://new.asbar.org/revised-constitution-of-american-samoa Revised Constitution of American Samoa], American Samoa Bar Association.</ref>

Fano [[Solinuu Shimasaki]] was the first woman to serve in the American Samoa Senate.<ref name=sn>{{cite news |first=|last=|title=To all the women of American Samoa who came before us |url=https://www.samoanews.com/linking-samoans/all-women-american-samoa-who-came-us |work=Office of U.S. Congresswoman [[Aumua Amata Coleman]] |publisher=[[Samoa News]] |date=2021-03-05 |access-date=2022-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421224852/https://www.samoanews.com/linking-samoans/all-women-american-samoa-who-came-us |archive-date=2021-04-21 |url-status=live}}</ref>


==List of senators==
==List of senators==
As of 2020, the members of the American Samoa Senate are:<ref>{{cite web|title=Legislative Branch of American Samoa - Fono|url=https://www.americansamoa.gov/legislative-branch-fono|accessdate=June 4, 2020}}</ref>
As of 2021, the members of the American Samoa Senate are:<ref>{{cite web|title=American Samoa Legislature (Fono)|url=https://www.americansamoa.gov/fono|access-date=November 15, 2021}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable sortable"
{|class="wikitable sortable"
! Districts<ref name=districts>[https://new.asbar.org/code-annotated/2-0202-districts/ 2.0202 Districts], American Samoa Bar Association.</ref> !! Counties<ref name=districts/> !! Senators
! Districts<ref name=districts>[https://new.asbar.org/code-annotated/2-0202-districts/ 2.0202 Districts], American Samoa Bar Association.</ref> !! Counties<ref name=districts/> !! Senators
|-
|-
|align=right rowspan=2| 1 ||rowspan=2| [[Ta'u County|Ta‘ū]], [[Faleasao County|Faleasao]], [[Fitiuta County|Fitiuta]] || [[Logoai Siaki Logoai]]
|align=right rowspan=2| 1 ||rowspan=2| [[Taʻū County|Taʻū]], [[Faleasao County|Faleasao]], [[Fitiuta County|Fitiuta]] || [[Maʻo Faʻauma Gogo]]
|-
|-
|[[Tauiliili Lauifi]]
|[[Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga T. Nua]]
|-
|-
|align=right| 2 || [[Ofu County|Ofu]], [[Olosega County|Olosega]] || [[Misaalefua J. Hudson]]
|align=right| 2 || [[Ofu County|Ofu]], [[Olosega County|Olosega]] || [[Malaepule Saite Moliga]]
|-
|-
|align=right| 3 || [[Sa'Ole County|Sa‘ole]] || [[Tauaa Sam Vaouli]]
|align=right| 3 || [[Saʻole County|Saʻole]] || [[Utu Sila Poasa]]
|-
|-
|align=right| 4 || [[Vaifanua County|Vaifanua]] || [[Gaoteote Palaie Tofau]], [[List of Presidents of the American Samoa Senate|President]]
|align=right| 4 || [[Vaifanua County|Vaifanua]] || [[HC Satele Aliitai Lilio]]
|-
|-
|align=right rowspan=2| 5 ||rowspan=2| [[Sua County|Sua]] || [[Muagututi‘a M. T. Tauoa]]
|align=right rowspan=2| 5 ||rowspan=2| [[Sua County|Sua]] || [[Muagututiʻa Moevasa Tauoa]]
|-
|-
|[[Faamausili Mau Mau Jr.]]
|[[Togiola Tulafono]]
|-
|-
|align=right rowspan=3| 6 ||rowspan=3| [[Maoputasi County|Ma‘oputasi]] || [[Fano Frank M. Shimasaki]]
|align=right rowspan=3| 6 ||rowspan=3| [[Maoputasi County|Maʻoputasi]] || [[Tuaolo Manaia Fruean]], [[List of Presidents of the American Samoa Senate|President]]
|-
|-
|[[Tilo Vasaga Tilo]]
|[[Fano Mitch Shimasaki]]
|-
|-
|[[Tuaolo M. Fruen]]
|[[Uti Petelo]]
|-
|-
|align=right rowspan=2| 7 ||rowspan=2| [[Ituau County|Itu‘au]] || [[Alo Faauga]]
|align=right rowspan=2| 7 ||rowspan=2| [[Ituau County|Ituʻau]] || [[Alo P. Stevenson]]
|-
|-
|[[Levu Tulafono Solaita Jr.]]
|[[Soliai T. Fuimaono]]
|-
|-
|align=right rowspan=2| 8 ||rowspan=2| [[Tualauta County|Tualauta]] || [[Magalei Logovii]]
|align=right rowspan=2| 8 ||rowspan=2| [[Tualauta County|Tualauta]] || [[Magalei Logovii]]
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|align=right| 11 || [[Fofo County|Fofo]] || [[Faiivae Iuli Alex Godinet]]
|align=right| 11 || [[Fofo County|Fofo]] || [[Faiivae Iuli Alex Godinet]]
|-
|-
|align=right| 12 || [[Lealataua County|Lealataua]] || [[Sauitufuga Pita Suiaunoa]]
|align=right| 12 || [[Lealataua County|Lealataua]] || [[Ponemafua Tapeni]]
|}
|}
<!--ULTIMATELY I FEEL THIS SECTION SHOULD NOT BE HERE, BUT DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE VALUABLE DATA FOR SENATORS WITHOUT ARTICLES
<!--ULTIMATELY I FEEL THIS SECTION SHOULD NOT BE HERE, BUT DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE VALUABLE DATA FOR SENATORS WITHOUT ARTICLES
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* [[Uli Solomona]] &ndash; deceased July 22, 1980, served from 1973 to 1976, the revered High Chief from Aua Village, one of American Samoa's most highly decorated heroes, a World War II, Korean, and Vietnam veteran. Chief Uli is the recipient of the Nation's third-highest valor award the Silver Star, including awards of the Soldier's Medal, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with "V" device denoted by 2 bronze oak leaf clusters.<ref>The Legislature of the Territory of American Samoa, The 16th Legislature 4th Regular Session, Senate Concurrent Resolution (S.C.R.) No. 91, July 25, 1980.</ref><ref>Military Times Hall of Valor http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=58155</ref><ref>Uli, Teddy (Founder & President of Polynesian Legal Social Services Corp., Uli Solomona and Manatua Tilo's youngest son.)</ref><ref>Modzelewski, Joe. "Uli's Eulogy." The Miami News 27 August 1980: 1C. Print.</ref>
* [[Uli Solomona]] &ndash; deceased July 22, 1980, served from 1973 to 1976, the revered High Chief from Aua Village, one of American Samoa's most highly decorated heroes, a World War II, Korean, and Vietnam veteran. Chief Uli is the recipient of the Nation's third-highest valor award the Silver Star, including awards of the Soldier's Medal, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with "V" device denoted by 2 bronze oak leaf clusters.<ref>The Legislature of the Territory of American Samoa, The 16th Legislature 4th Regular Session, Senate Concurrent Resolution (S.C.R.) No. 91, July 25, 1980.</ref><ref>Military Times Hall of Valor http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=58155</ref><ref>Uli, Teddy (Founder & President of Polynesian Legal Social Services Corp., Uli Solomona and Manatua Tilo's youngest son.)</ref><ref>Modzelewski, Joe. "Uli's Eulogy." The Miami News 27 August 1980: 1C. Print.</ref>
* [[A.U. Fuimaono]]
* [[A.U. Fuimaono]]
* [[Seui Laau]]<ref name=sn>{{cite news|first=Fili|last=Sagapolutele|title=Senator Seui passes away |url=http://www.samoanews.com/?q=node/2489 |work=[[Samoa News]] |publisher=2012-01-27 |date= |accessdate=2011-01-28}}</ref>
* [[Seui Laau]]<ref name=sn>{{cite news|first=Fili|last=Sagapolutele|title=Senator Seui passes away |url=http://www.samoanews.com/?q=node/2489 |work=[[Samoa News]] |publisher=2012-01-27 |access-date=2011-01-28}}</ref>
* [[Togiola Tulafono]] &ndash; (D) former governor, in office from 2003 to 2013
* [[Togiola Tulafono]] &ndash; (D) former governor, in office from 2003 to 2013
* [[Lualemaga Faoa]] &ndash; deceased January 24, 2017
* [[Lualemaga Faoa]] &ndash; deceased January 24, 2017
Line 89: Line 93:
== Past composition of the Senate ==
== Past composition of the Senate ==
{{main|Political party strength in American Samoa}}
{{main|Political party strength in American Samoa}}

==External links==
* [https://www.asfono.gov/senate Official website]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{reflist|30em}}
{{American Samoa Senate}}

{{American Samoa}}
{{American Samoa}}
{{United States legislatures}}
{{United States legislatures}}
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[[Category:American Samoa Fono|Senate]]
[[Category:American Samoa Fono|Senate]]
[[Category:Territorial upper houses in the United States]]
[[Category:Territorial upper houses in the United States]]


{{Legislature-stub}}
{{AmericanSamoa-stub}}

Latest revision as of 15:42, 13 May 2024

American Samoa Senate
American Samoa Fono
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
Term limits
None
History
FoundedOctober 26, 1948 (1948-10-26)
Leadership
Tuaolo Fruean (I)
since January 8, 2021
Structure
Seats18
Political groups
  •   Non-partisan (18)
Length of term
4 years
Salary$25,000/year
Website
www.americansamoa.gov/fono
Politics of American Samoa
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
Law and custom
External affairs
Administrative divisions
Elections

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]

Districts[10] Counties[10] Senators
1 Taʻū, Faleasao, Fitiuta Maʻo Faʻauma Gogo
Tauiliili Lauifi
2 Ofu, Olosega Malaepule Saite Moliga
3 Saʻole Utu Sila Poasa
4 Vaifanua HC Satele Aliitai Lilio
5 Sua Muagututiʻa Moevasa Tauoa
Togiola Tulafono
6 Maʻoputasi Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, President
Fano Mitch Shimasaki
Uti Petelo
7 Ituʻau Alo P. Stevenson
Soliai T. Fuimaono
8 Tualauta Magalei Logovii
Fonoti Tafaifa Aufata
9 Leasina Tuiagamoa T. Tavai
10 Tualatai Satele Galu T. Satele
11 Fofo Faiivae Iuli Alex Godinet
12 Lealataua Ponemafua Tapeni

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]

Main article: Political party strength in American Samoa

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Historical Sketch of the Naval Administration of the Government of American Samoa, Capt. T. F. Darden, 1952.
  2. ^ a b c d e History of the Fono, AmSamoa.net.
  3. ^ The Statesman's Year-Book: Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1953, S. H. Steinberg.
  4. ^ a b Elite Communication in Samoa: A Study of Leadership, Felix M. Keesing and Marie M. Keesing, 1956.
  5. ^ The Statesman's Year-Book: Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1954, S. H. Steinberg.
  6. ^ Constitution of American Samoa, 1960.
  7. ^ Revised Constitution of American Samoa, American Samoa Bar Association.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "American Samoa Legislature (Fono)". Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  10. ^ a b 2.0202 Districts, American Samoa Bar Association.
  11. ^ "american samoa". american samoa. Retrieved 2017-02-07.

14°16′42″S 170°41′20″W / 14.2782°S 170.6890°W / -14.2782; -170.6890

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