Applications for Internship at office of Sen. Daniel K. Inouye accepted now

(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono announced today he is looking for interested applicants who wish to serve a one-year internship in the Office of U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye in Washington DC.

[All interested persons should contact the Office of the Governor at your earliest convenience and talk to Toetasi Fue Tuiteleleapaga at 633-4116, or contact Lupe Aumavae of the Department of Commerce at 633-5155. Deadline is October 5, 2007.]

As a goodwill investment in the future leaders of American Samoa, United States Senator Fofogaosamoa Daniel K. Inouye initiated the American Samoa Intern Program through his office in the U.S. Congress in 1981. Nikolao Pula, the current Director of the Office of Insular Affairs in the U.S. Department of Interior, was the very first person to be selected to serve as the American Samoa Intern in the Office of U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye.

The intent of Senator Inouye’s intern program is to provide Samoan students with an opportunity to continue their education in the public sector, using the knowledge they gain from their Congressional experience in service to the people of American Samoa. American Samoa Interns are part of Senator Inouye’s legislative staff, providing input and information on the various issues that they handle.

While working in Honolulu and Washington, D.C., interns get an up-close and in-depth look at the legislative process, including the all-important appropriations process whereby American Samoa receives its operational as well as capital improvement funding. Interns also get hands-on experience working on critical issues that directly affect American Samoa as well as other Pacific Island territories.

Governor Togiola Tulafono praises the internship program as a great blessing and opportunity for young people of American Samoa.

“This internship program is a generous gift that honors in every way Senator Inouye’s commitment to excellence in government within the nation and specifically our region – a direct investment in the future leaders of this great Territory,” said Gov. Togiola. “This very successful program is a breeding ground for American Samoa’s most talented, energetic and eager minds. American Samoa is indebted to the kind Senator for this great honor.”

Over its twenty-four year history, the American Samoa Intern Program has seen 19 interns. The term for each intern is one year – typically, from January to January. One-year terms give interns the benefit of experiencing one full half of a sitting U.S. Congress.

Prior to 2004, the American Samoa Legislature was responsible for selecting the individual who would serve the program. Since January 2004, the Governor is responsible for selecting the individual after screening a competitive pool of applications.

Applicants should be prepared to provide the following documentation:

(1)   Letter of intent to participate in the program, which should identify in detail the role that this internship will play in the applicant’s career;
(2)   Three letters of recommendation;
(3)   Current resume; and
(4)   Verification of graduation from an accredited four-year institution of higher learning.

The deadline for all applications is 4:00 pm October 26, 2007. All applications and required documents are to be turned in to the Office of the Governor no later than the due date. Please submit application in an envelope labeled “Senator Inouye Internship”.

The points of contact for the Sen. Inouye Internship Program are Toetasi Fue Tuiteleleapaga and Lupe Aumavae, both of whom served as interns with this special program for years 1998 and 2006, respectively. They can be reached at:

Toetasi Fue Tuiteleleapaga: toetasi@americansamoa.gov or 633-4116
Lupe Aumavae: laumavae@americansamoa.gov or 633-5155.

This information on the Sen. Daniel K. Inouye Internship is also available on the American Samoa Government website: americansamoa.gov

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Applications for Internship at office of Sen. Daniel K. Inouye accepted now