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OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Saturday, May 10, 2008)
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Office: (684) 633-4116 - Fax: (684) 633-2269 - Cell: (684) 733-4680
Gov. Togiola and Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi announce reelection bid
 
(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono and Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia formally announced Friday night they are seeking reelection in November.
At an announcement dinner at the Tradewinds Hotel in Tafuna on Friday night, which was attended by about 300 people, Governor Togiola and First Lady Mary Ann Tulafono joined Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi and Mrs. Elisapeta Sunia to officially announce they will seek a second term in office.
“We thought it over very carefully, thoroughly, and quite seriously. We prayed over it. We solicited opinions, and sought the counsel of friends and the advice of our families. The response was unanimous: ‘Run again! Seek a second term.
Continue the good work you are doing,’ said Governor Togiola. “You, voters of American Samoa, invested in us four years ago. We feel we have gained valuable experience, and it’s only fair, that you receive from us the benefit of your investment. We have been through hard times in these four years; we know how to handle them. We have also had opportunities to enjoy good times together with you.”
Governor Togiola said the American Samoa Government is well. However, there are dark clouds ahead in the economic forecasts, and he and Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi are “prepared to take our ship through them.”
“It is one thing to desire to be governor. Many people know what needs to be done. Believe me, bringing ideas and hopes to reality, as governor, can be quite different, sometimes frustrating. I say to Tutuila and Manu’a, we are ready! We are prepared! We have the experience” said Governor Togiola.
Governor Togiola announced their campaign slogan as “Fai Pea Mea Sili” (Do Great Things), which he said was inspired from King Saul saying to a young David, who became the leader of his people: “Do great things, and also still prevail.”
“It was a statement made out of admiration for the toughness and compassion of young David. King Saul was shocked by David’s spirit of forgiveness and respect for him,” said Governor Togiola. “Saul’s words were offered as a blessing and prediction of great things David can and will do for his people. We approach our plea for a second term with that attitude. We want to continue to do great things for our people.”
Governor Togiola told traditional leaders, Fono and Cabinet members, business owners, families, friends and supporters that he has deep respect for Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi’s abilities to serve the people of American Samoa.
“We operate from a base of mutual trust and admiration. Ipulasi never questioned my decisions, much less criticize them. He is a Lieutenant Governor who knows his position and acted his part to my fullest satisfaction,” said Governor Togiola. “But even with all the deep respect, I feel that Ipulasi has an even deeper respect for me.”
Governor Togiola expressed his thanks to American Samoa “for allowing us to serve you, for the confidence you have shown during these four years” and also to the servants of God for their prayers, and all the people, traditional leaders, members of the Fono, friends, campaign committee and supporters and all of our families. When you stand with us, we feel tall and strong.”
Governor Togiola also thanked the Cabinet for their support and service to the people of the Territory.
“Our Cabinet, we are about to put your service to the test of public satisfaction. It’s time to work even harder,” said Governor Togiola.
The reelection campaign committee kick-off fundraiser will be held on June 14th.
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FULL TEXT OF GOVERNOR TOGIOLA’S REELECTION ANNUNCEMENT
Greetings and Talofa,
My father once told me that the easiest and quickest way to say something difficult, especially when words seem to fail you – is to say it straight, simple and short.
My friends, we are here to announce the worst kept secret of this season:
I, Togiola Tulafono and Ipulasi Sunia, hereby announce our candidacy for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa.
As we say in Samoa, na fau po, fau ao. Our decision was a boat built at night, and at daylight. We thought it over very carefully, thoroughly, and quite seriously. We prayed over it. We solicited opinions, and sought the counsel of friends and the advice of our aiga. The response was unanimous: ‘Run again! Seek a second term. Continue the good work you are doing.’
Samoan builders prefer joining fau with fau to fasten house joints. They like fau because of its toughness and texture, its flexibility and responsiveness. They know from experience that if you continue with fau – you have the tightness and security you need for the house to stand up to weight and the elements. We seek to continue our services to our people with the attitude of our Samoan builders - remembering also our motto of 2004: Ia so’oula aso lelei. [Continue the good times. Let the good times roll.]
In that vein of continuity, we have chosen a theme for our campaign from something King Saul said to David, the young future leader of his people. “Do great things, and also still prevail.”
It was a statement made out of admiration for the toughness and compassion of young David. King Saul was shocked by David’s spirit of forgiveness and respect for him. Saul’s words were offered as a blessing and prediction of great things David can and will do for his people. We approach our plea for a second term with that attitude. We want to continue to do great things for our people.
You, voters of American Samoa, invested in us four years ago. We feel we have gained valuable experience, and it’s only fair, that you receive from us the benefit of your investment. We have been through hard times in these four years; we know how to handle them. We have also had opportunities to enjoy good times together with you.
Our government is well. There are dark clouds ahead in the economic forecasts, and we are prepared to take our ship through them. Disturbing and very serious social changes have come fast. We have recognized the symptoms and have begun to address these problems also. There is need to review our Constitution and perhaps adjust some our statutes to meet the needs of a fast changing society. We have laid the groundwork for that. It is one thing to desire to be governor. Many people know what needs to be done. Believe me, bringing ideas and hopes to reality, as governor, can be quite different, sometimes frustrating. I say to Tutuila and Manu’a – We are ready! We are prepared! We have the experience!
I want to thank Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi for his capable support. We have that Togiola-Ipulasi is a team you can trust. We operate from a base of mutual trust and admiration. Ipulasi never questioned my decisions, much less criticize them. He is a Lieutenant Governor who knows his position and acted his part to my fullest satisfaction.
I have deep respect for his abilities. After all, he is a lawyer – like me. He was Treasurer. He drafted laws at the legislature. He serves in a number of Boards and Committees. He contributed much of his time and resources to his church and cares deeply for his family and relatives. But even with all the deep respect, I feel that Ipulasi has an even deeper respect for me. His constant reminder to staff is: This government has only one governor. His name is Togiola! Where else can you find such a Lt. Governor?
I have chosen to end these brief remarks with words of Thanks. Thank you American Samoa, for allowing us to serve you, for the confidence you have shown during these four years.
I want to thank the servants of God for their prayers, and all the people who offered prayers on our behalf. We believe in the mana of your prayers.
Tonight, I want to thank all of you who have honored us with your presence. Thank you much to our friends, supporters, and to the aiga of Peta and Mary, and Ipulasi and mine. When you stand with us, we feel tall and strong.
To our Cabinet, thank you for the service to our people. We are about to put your service to the test of public satisfaction. It’s time to work even harder.
Chairman Alaalamua and the Committee to Reelect Togiola and Ipulasi, thank you most sincerely. You have been there once, and succeeded. We know you can do it once again. Good luck.
Soifua.
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