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OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Thursday, December 6, 2007)
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Flags to be lowered half-staff on Dec. 7 -
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
(UTULEI) - Governor Togiola Tulafono today ordered all United States and American Samoa flags lowered to half-staff on Friday, December 7 in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice at Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Governor Togiola’s directive is in accordance with a proclamation issued by
President George W. Bush this week designating December 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
“We pay tribute and honor the more than 2,400 American heroes who lost their lives in Pearl Harbor on that fateful day 66 years ago. With deep respect and profound gratitude, we remember them on this somber anniversary and recognize their selfless sacrifice. The people of American Samoa remain grateful for all that they have done in defense of America and the freedom that we continue to enjoy,” said Governor Togiola.
NATIONAL PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY, 2007
A Proclamation by the Governor of American Samoa
WHEREAS, on December 7, 1941, a vicious and unprovoked attack was executed on the United States by supporters of tyranny and enemies of democracy, which led President Roosevelt to label that day as “a date which will live in infamy”; and
WHEREAS, such an attack was directed not only against the citizens of the United States but against its ideals and founding principles of free government and equality and justice for all; and
WHEREAS, a whole generation of Americans stepped forward to answer the call to arms to defend its borders and freedom and to advance the cause of liberty around the world as America entered World War II. And so today, thousands of Americans from every state and territory of this great Country have continued the fight for liberty both at home and in foreign lands, and all too often making the ultimate sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, the more than 2,400 American lives lost at Pearl Harbor on that infamous day must always be remembered and celebrated as another example of American patriots who gave their lives so that a Nation may exist without the chains of oppression; and
WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States has designated December 7 of each year as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day” through Public Law 103 308, as amended, and the President of the United States has so joined by Executive Proclamation issued December 4, 2007; and
WHEREAS, American Samoa joins the rest of the Country in celebrating this day and remembering those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor.
NOW THEREFORE, I, TOGIOLA T.A. TULAFONO, Governor of American Samoa, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2007, as “NATIONAL PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY” in American Samoa, and ordered that all flags of the United States and those of the Territory of American Samoa be lowered to half-staff in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice at Pearl Harbor.
I further urge all citizens of this Territory to join the rest of our Nation in participating in appropriate ceremonies and activities in remembrance of those who fell as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of American Samoa on this fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand and seven.
TOGIOLA T.A. TULAFONO
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