Congresswoman Aumua Amata’s statement on the recent mass shootings

“Our hearts are deeply saddened by the terrible mass shootings in the United States over recent days. The news is so tragic and overwhelming that it reaches thousands of miles to burden our people in American Samoa.

“We pray in this time of sorrow for the people of our country, that God will guide our nation’s leaders, and specifically the national discussion that is taking place. We pray that these national debates over policy would be done in such a way to encourage peace among us all and be conducted in wisdom.

“We pray that people of our country would come together and not turn against each other in anger, blame or despair. Our thoughts and prayers for comfort are with these many families experiencing extreme loss and suffering.”