[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1689-E1690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HISTORICAL RECORD OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY GRANT FUNDING IN AMERICAN SAMOA
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HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA
of american samoa
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to include, for
historical purposes, information about National Emergency Grant funding
in American Samoa.
[Press Release, Oct. 20, 2009]
Faleomavaega Thanks U.S. Department of Labor for Releasing Over $24
Million to Assist Clean-Up and Recovery Efforts in American Samoa
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the U.S.
Department of Labor has released over $24 million in National
Emergency Grant Funds to assist clean-up and recovery efforts
in American Samoa.
``I want to personally thank my good friend and former
colleague, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, for releasing
more than $24 million in National Emergency Grant funds to
help American Samoa rebuild,'' Faleomavaega said. ``The
people of American Samoa are deeply appreciative of the
support we are receiving from the federal government in the
aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that struck our
islands on September 29, and I thank the Obama
Administration, the U.S. Congress, FEMA, Secretary Solis, and
all others for standing with us as we begin the long and
difficult process of rebuilding our homes and lives.''
``I also want to thank Senator Inouye and Senator Akaka for
their unwavering support. Earlier today, we released a joint
statement applauding Secretary Solis' decision to release
more than $24 million in aid and, during these trying times,
I want to thank both Senators for their heartfelt words and
condolences.''
``With the outpouring of prayers being offered in our
behalf, I have every confidence that American Samoa will
rebuild but we will never be the same without the ones we
have lost. This is why I continue to convey my condolences to
the families and friends who have lost loved ones, and pledge
to do all I can as we work to recover.''
The full text of the U.S. Department of Labor's
notification, which was sent to Faleomavaega, Senator Inouye,
Senator Akaka, and to members of the Congressional Asian
Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), of which Faleomavaega serves
as Vice-Chair, is included below:
NOTIFICATION
Dear Faleomavaega/ Inouye/ Akaka Staff and CAPAC, Attached
is a release announcing a $24,857,608 National Emergency
Grant award from the U.S. Department of Labor to assist
clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of a tsunami that
struck American Samoa on Sept. 29.
This grant is for clean-up and recovery from a natural
disaster. National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary
of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a
state's ability to meet specific guidelines.
____
[Press Release, Oct. 20, 2009]
$25 Million Grant for American Samoa Clean-Up and Recovery
U.S. Senators Daniel K. Akaka and Daniel K. Inouye (D-
Hawaii) and Delegate Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa)
today applauded a $24,857,608 federal grant to assist cleanup
and recovery efforts in American Samoa following last month's
destructive tsunami. The U.S. Department of Labor awarded the
funds to American Samoa's Department of Human Resources to
create more temporary jobs to assist in recovery efforts.
``I attended a memorial service in Washington this past
weekend and was reminded of the tremendous toll this tsunami
took: Entire villages destroyed, children and grandparents
lost, livelihoods ruined,'' Senator Akaka said. ``This grant
will help American Samoa create temporary on-island jobs so
residents can begin rebuilding their homes and
infrastructure, surveying environmental damage, and repairing
damaged industries.''
``Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those
affected by the earthquakes and tsunami in American Samoa.
The trauma suffered by the people dealing with the
devastation and tragic loss of life is difficult to
comprehend. These funds will help rebuild and restore the
property that was destroyed and damaged and hopefully restore
some semblance of the lifestyle that was lost,'' said Senator
Inouye.
Delegate Faleomavaega said: ``I want to personally thank my
good friend and former colleague, U.S. Secretary of Labor
Hilda Solis, for releasing more than $24 million in National
Emergency Grant funds to assist clean-up and recovery efforts
in American Samoa. The people of American Samoa are deeply
appreciative of the support we are receiving from the federal
government since the earthquake and tsunami struck our
islands on September 29 and, once more, I thank the Obama
Administration, the U.S. Congress, FEMA, Secretary Solis and
all others for standing with American Samoa as we begin the
long and difficult process of rebuilding.''
[[Page E1690]]
``Our hearts go out to the victims and survivors of the
recent tsunami in American Samoa,'' said Secretary of Labor
Hilda L. Solis. ``Today's grant will support ongoing recovery
efforts and help American Samoans put their lives back
together.''
Of the $24,857,608 announced today, $8,285,870 will be
released initially. Additional funding up to the amount
approved will be made available as the territory demonstrates
a continued need for assistance, according to the Department
of Labor.
On September 29, the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) declared all islands in the United States territory of
American Samoa eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program.
As a senior member of the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs, Senator Akaka has been briefed by FEMA
officials on initial recovery efforts to send food, water,
cots, medical supplies, and working vehicles from the FEMA
Pacific Area Office warehouse in Honolulu to American Samoa.
Senator Akaka worked to establish and maintain this office
beginning in 1991 in order to protect isolated Pacific island
communities.
For more information on National Emergency Grants, visit
http://www.doleta.gov/NEG.
____
[Press Release, Apr. 21, 2010]
U.S. Department of Labor Notifies Faleomavaega that Over $16 Million
Will Be Released to ASG for About 2,200 Temporary Workers to Continue
Clean-up and Recovery Efforts
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL) notified him this evening that it
will release $16,571,738 to ASG for about 2,200 temporary
workers to continue clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake
of the tsunami that struck American Samoa on September 29,
2009.
On October 19, 2009 a National Emergency Grant (NEG) was
approved for up to $24,857,608, with $8,285,870 released
initially. This incremental and final NEG award will bring
total NEG funds awarded for clean-up and recovery efforts to
$24,857,608.
``I want to again thank my good friend and former
colleague, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, for releasing
more than $24 million in NEG funds to help create about 2,200
temporary jobs in American Samoa,'' Faleomavaega said. ``I
first contacted Secretary Solis in May of 2009 regarding NEG
funds in response to Chicken of the Sea's announced closure
and, on May 7, 2009, I provided Governor Togiola with the
contact information necessary to request assistance for our
workers, noting that any request put forward must originate
with the Governor.''
``While that effort was underway between ASG and DOL,
American Samoa was struck by a tsunami on September 29, 2009.
In response to the tsunami, DOL immediately and preemptively
reached out to ASG and assisted ASG in preparing and
processing a disaster national emergency grant application.
On October 19, 2009, ASG was then awarded over $24 million to
create about 2,200 temporary jobs for clean-up and recovery
efforts.''
``Discussions continue about how this grant might be more
fully expanded, if necessary. For now, the American Samoa
Department of Human Resources is responsible for the
administration of the grant and ASG, in consultation with the
DOL, determines who qualifies for temporary work.''
``Again, I thank DOL for its swift response in providing
temporary work for the people of American Samoa. The DOL can
be assured that the people of American Samoa are appreciative
of the support the federal government is providing them,
especially as we work together to rebuild and retool,''
Faleomavaega concluded.
____
[Press Release, June 28, 2012]
U.S. Department of Labor Awards $500,000 in Supplemental National
Emergency Grant Funding to American Samoa Department of Human Resources
Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that the U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL) this week awarded approximately
$500,000 in supplemental National Emergency Grant (NEG)
funding to the American Samoa Department of Human Resources.
According to DOL, the funding will provide for the
continuation of workforce development services to workers who
held temporary jobs to assist with the clean-up and recovery
efforts following the earthquake and tsunami and subsequent
flooding that struck American Samoa in 2009.
The initial NEG award of $24,857,608 was approved on
October 19, 2009, with $8,285,870 released initially and a
second increment of $16,571,738 was approved and released on
April 21, 2010. The supplemental funding of $500,000
announced this week will bring the total NEG funds awarded
for this project to $25,357,608. With the supplemental
funding, the project's period of performance is also extended
for two quarters, so that all participants have more time to
finish their full complement of reemployment services.
``I want again to thank my good friend and former
colleague, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, for releasing
more than $25 million over the past three years in National
Emergency Grant funds for American Samoa,'' Faleomavaega
stated.
``Immediately following the devastating earthquake and
tsunami that struck our islands on September 29, 2009, the
Department of Labor notified my office as well as the offices
of Senator Inouye, Senator Akaka, and the Congressional Asian
Pacific American Caucus, informing us of the outpouring of
millions of dollars of federal funding to help American Samoa
with clean-up and recovery efforts. The funding also provided
for needed jobs to employ American Samoans and help with our
local economy,'' Faleomavaega added.
``I also want to thank and acknowledge the great work by
our local leaders in the American Samoa Department of Human
Resources, including Department Director Evelyn Langford and
NEG Program Manager Tuimavave Tauapa'i Laupola, for the
tremendous job they've done in managing this program as well
as their tireless efforts in addressing the multifaceted
needs of the Territory in the aftermath of the devastating
2009 tsunami. I have every confidence that this funding will
continue to help our Territory rebuild,'' Congressman
Faleomavaega concluded.
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