Festivities for Constitution Day today planned at Suigaula Beach Park

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Lt. Gov. Talauega E.V. Ale, in his capacity as acting governor last Friday, proclaimed today, Oct. 17 as American Samoa’s “Constitution Day” with the celebration later this afternoon at Suigaula o le Atuvasa Park in Utulei.

This is the second year in a row that the Lemanu-Talauega Administration has issued a proclamation celebrating Constitution Day with the first one last October. Howevr, it is not a government holiday.

In the proclamation, dated Oct. 14, Talauega pointed out that the Constitution of American Samoa “serves as a physical representation of the hopes and dreams our forebears had for the future of this territory.”

The territory’s Constitution was adopted by a Constitutional Convention in April 1960 and approved by the US Secretary of Interior on Apr. 27 of that year. After becoming effective on Oct. 17, 1960, the “Constitution has continued to remain relevant in its ability to respond to changing time,” according to the proclamation.

It also says that the strict constitutional amendment process ensures the greatness of this territory will never lay in the hands of a singular person, but rather a full and active community of informed and engaged individuals willing to work through this democratic process.

The proclamation points to the involvement of the youth in amendments to the Constitution, with the student-led Constitutional Convention held in April this year, and plans to conduct a Student Referendum this week on Oct. 19.

The proclamation recalls the creation of the Constitutional Review Committee and its sessions held earlier this year to determine whether the Constitution was in tune with the range of political, economic, social, environmental, technological, and demographic conditions in American Samoa.

Thereafter, the governor convened the Sixth Constitutional Convention — from Aug. 29 to Sept. 02 — which approved eleven amendments to be voted on by all eligible electors on the Nov. 08 Mid-Term Election.

Talauega proclaimed that, “today, this month, and forevermore we reflect on our unalienable rights and enduring principles preserved and protected within our Constitution.”

Talauega encouraged the community to observe Constitution Day, today, with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

A promotional poster distributed on social media late last week through various ASG agencies, shows the Oct. 17 celebration today at Suigaula Beach Park, starting at 4p.m. and there will be games, food and music.

And the winners of the high school student Constitution Day essay, song and poem competition will be announced as well, at the DYWA Carnival at Suigaula Beach Park.

The local Education Department released last Thursday on its Facebook Page and website, the rules of the competition, with the deadline for submission at 4p.m. last Friday.