OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Wednesday, June 13, 2007)
Contact: click here to email newsroom  
(684) 633-4116 - Fax: (684) 633-2269 - Cell: (684) 731-8989

Governor Togiola welcomes DOI Sec. Dirk Kempthorne
to American Samoa

(UTULEI) - Governor Togiola Tulafono welcomed U.S. Secretary of the Interior – the Honorable Dirk Kempthorne to the Territory last night for the start of a 38-hour visit that will include meetings with government and traditional leaders and a tour of the National Park of American Samoa, StarKist Samoa and educational and recreational facilities in the Western District.

In welcoming Secretary Kempthorne at Pago Pago International Airport, Governor Togiola expressed the sincere gratitude of the Territory for his inaugural official visit.

“Mr. Secretary, on behalf of the people and government, I am happy, honored and proud to welcome you to the U.S. Territory of American Samoa,” said Governor Togiola. “We thank God for bringing you and your delegation safely to our shores and we wish you a pleasant and happy stay with us.”

Secretary Kempthorne’s delegation, which also accompanied the Secretary to Guam, Saipan, Palau and Pohnpei before arriving in the Territory, included BJ Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment, Donald Schregardus, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Environment and Papali’i David Cohen, Interior’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs.

This morning at 9 o’clock, Governor Togiola will join Chief Justice Michael Kruse, Senate President Lolo Moliga and House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale in a meeting with Secretary Kempthorne at Government House on Maugaoali’i.

An ava ceremony to officially welcome Secretary Kempthorne will be held at Maota i Gagamoe (Paramount Chief Mauga Tasi Asuega’s Guest Fale) in Pago Pago at mid-morning with a working lunch at 12 noon to be hosted by Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia at the Convention Center in Utulei before visiting the National Park and StarKist Samoa.

Governor Togiola and First Lady Mary Ann Tulafono will host a reception this evening in honor of Secretary Kempthorne at Maugaoali’i.

On Thursday morning, Governor Togiola Tulafono will travel with Secretary Kempthorne to visit the American Samoa Community College in Mapusaga and Veterans Memorial Stadium and the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Tafuna. A press conference is scheduled for 10 o’clock with departure at 11am.