American Samoa Senate: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox legislature |
{{Infobox legislature |
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| name = American Samoa Senate |
| name = American Samoa Senate |
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| native_name_lang = |
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| transcription_name = |
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| legislature = [[American Samoa Fono]] |
| legislature = [[American Samoa Fono]] |
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| coa_pic = Seal of American Samoa.svg |
| coa_pic = Seal of American Samoa.svg |
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| native_name = |
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| coa_res = |
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| coa_alt = |
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| coa_caption = |
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| logo_pic = |
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| logo_res = |
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| logo_alt = |
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| logo_caption = |
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| house_type = Upper house |
| house_type = Upper house |
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| body = |
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| jurisdiction = |
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| houses = |
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| term_limits = None |
| term_limits = None |
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| foundation = {{Start date|1948|10|26}} |
| foundation = {{Start date|1948|10|26}} |
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| disbanded = <!--{{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}}--> |
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| preceded_by = |
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| succeeded_by = |
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| new_session = |
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| leader1_type = President of the Senate |
| leader1_type = President of the Senate |
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| leader1 = [[Gaoteote Tofau Palaie]] |
| leader1 = [[Gaoteote Tofau Palaie]] |
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| party1 = |
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| election1 = |
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| leader2_type = |
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| leader2 = |
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| party2 = |
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| election2 = |
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| leader3_type = |
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| leader3 = |
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| party3 = |
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| election3 = |
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| leader4_type = |
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| leader4 = |
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| party4 = |
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| election4 = |
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| leader5_type = |
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| leader5 = |
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| party5 = |
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| election5 = |
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| leader6_type = |
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| leader6 = |
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| party6 = |
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| election6 = |
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| leader7_type = |
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| leader7 = |
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| party7 = |
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| election7 = |
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| seats = 18 |
| seats = 18 |
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| house1 = |
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| house2 = |
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| structure1 = American Samoa Senate.svg |
| structure1 = American Samoa Senate.svg |
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| structure1_res = 250px |
| structure1_res = 250px |
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| structure1_alt = |
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| structure2 = |
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| structure2_res = |
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| structure2_alt = |
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| political_groups1 = |
| political_groups1 = |
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{{Unbulleted list|class=nowrap |
{{Unbulleted list|class=nowrap |
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| {{Color box|#D6D6D6|border=darkgray}} [[Non-partisan democracy|Non-partisan]] (18) |
| {{Color box|#D6D6D6|border=darkgray}} [[Non-partisan democracy|Non-partisan]] (18) |
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}} |
}} |
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| political_groups2 = |
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| committees1 = |
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| committees2 = |
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| joint_committees = |
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| term_length = 4 years |
| term_length = 4 years |
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| authority = |
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| salary = $25,000/year |
| salary = $25,000/year |
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| seats1_title = |
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| seats1 = |
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| seats2_title = |
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| seats2 = |
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| seats3_title = |
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| seats3 = |
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| seats4_title = |
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| seats4 = |
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| seats5_title = |
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| seats5 = |
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| seats6_title = |
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| seats6 = |
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| seats7_title = |
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| seats7 = |
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| seats8_title = |
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| seats8 = |
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| voting_system1 = |
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| voting_system2 = |
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| first_election1 = |
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| first_election2 = |
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| first_election3 = |
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| last_election1 = |
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| last_election2 = |
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| last_election3 = |
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| next_election1 = |
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| next_election2 = |
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| next_election3 = |
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| redistricting = |
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| motto = |
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| session_room = |
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| session_res = |
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| session_alt = |
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| meeting_place = |
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| session_room2 = |
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| session_res2 = |
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| session_alt2 = |
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| meeting_place2 = |
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| website = {{URL|www.americansamoa.gov/legislative-branch-fono}} |
| website = {{URL|www.americansamoa.gov/legislative-branch-fono}} |
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| constitution = |
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| footnotes = |
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}} |
}} |
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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 [[nonpartisan]] body. It is composed of 18 senators, serving a four-year term. |
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==History== |
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==List of Senators== |
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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&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> |
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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/> |
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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> |
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==List of senators== |
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{|class=wikitable |
{|class=wikitable |
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! district !! counties<ref>[https://new.asbar.org/code-annotated/2-0202-districts/ 2.0202 Districts], American Samoa Bar Association.</ref> !! senators<ref>[https://www.americansamoa.gov/legislative-branch-fono Legislative branch of American Samoa – Fono], American Samoa Government.</ref> |
! district !! counties<ref>[https://new.asbar.org/code-annotated/2-0202-districts/ 2.0202 Districts], American Samoa Bar Association.</ref> !! senators<ref>[https://www.americansamoa.gov/legislative-branch-fono Legislative branch of American Samoa – Fono], American Samoa Government.</ref> |
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Revision as of 04:26, 26 May 2020
American Samoa Senate | |
|---|---|
| American Samoa Fono | |
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| Type | |
| Type | |
Term limits | None |
| History | |
| Founded | October 26, 1948 |
| Leadership | |
President of the Senate | |
| 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
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]
List of senators
| district | counties[8] | senators[9] |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ta‘ū, Faleasao, Fitiuta | Logoai Siaki Logoai |
| Nuanuaolefeagaiga T. Saoluaga | ||
| 2 | Ofu, Olosega | Misaalefua J. Hudson |
| 3 | Sa‘ole | Tauaa Sam Vaouli |
| 4 | Vaifanua | Gaoteote P. Tofau, President |
| 5 | Sua | Muagututi‘a M. T. Tauoa |
| Faamausili Mau Mau Jr. | ||
| 6 | Ma‘oputasi | Fano Frank M. Shimasaki |
| Tilo Vasaga Tilo | ||
| Tuaolo M. Fruen | ||
| 7 | Itu‘au | Alo Faauga |
| Levu Tulafono Solaita Jr. | ||
| 8 | Tualauta | Magalei Logovii |
| Mrs. Fonoti Tafaifa Aufata | ||
| 9 | Leasina | Tuiagamoa T. Tavai |
| 10 | Tualatai | Satele Satele Galu T. Satele |
| 11 | Fofo | Faiivae Iuli A. Godinet |
| 12 | Lealataua | Sauitufuga Pita Suiaunoa |
Former senators
- Utu Abe Malae (R) – deceased October 2, 2018
- Tulifua Lam Yuen
- Liufau Sonoma – deceased August 4, 2009
- Fa'agata Manō Fa'agata-
- Uli Solomona – 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.[10][11][12][13]
- Gaoteote Tofau, president of American Samoa Senate
- A.U. Fuimaono
- Seui Laau[14]
- Togiola Tulafono – (D) former governor, in office from 2003 to 2013
- Lualemaga Faoa – deceased January 24, 2017
- Galeai Moaaliitele Tuufuli – deceased October 24, 2018
Voting
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.[15]
Past composition of the Senate
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ 2.0202 Districts, American Samoa Bar Association.
- ^ Legislative branch of American Samoa – Fono, American Samoa Government.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Military Times Hall of Valor http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=58155
- ^ Uli, Teddy (Founder & President of Polynesian Legal Social Services Corp., Uli Solomona and Manatua Tilo's youngest son.)
- ^ Modzelewski, Joe. "Uli's Eulogy." The Miami News 27 August 1980: 1C. Print.
- ^ Sagapolutele, Fili. "Senator Seui passes away". Samoa News. 2012-01-27. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
- ^ "american samoa". american samoa. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
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