Another public holiday bill in Senate — this time proposed by the Admin

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Senators will decided either today or tomorrow, through their respective votes, the fate of an Administration bill, which seeks to establish by law October 17th as a public holiday in honor of the effective date of the First Constitution of American Samoa — and they are calling it “Constitution Day”.

The proposed law, introduced Tuesday in the Senate, also updates language for other holidays to match federal law and establishes the holidays of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth Day (on June 19th) — which are both federal holidays set by law.

According to the bill’s preamble, the first Constitution of American Samoa was adopted by a constitutional convention in 1960 and the territory’s first constitution was signed by 68 members and became effective on Oct. 17, 1960.

It says that Oct. 17th should be a public holiday to commemorate the establishment of the Constitution of American Samoa.

Additionally, on June 17th this year, US President Joe Biden signed into law June 19th as an official federal holiday — Juneteenth Independence Day — to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

Furthermore, “these holidays should be both a celebration and opportunity to learn about the history and laws of American Samoa and the United States.”

Senate Rules Committee chairman, Sen. Magalei Logovi’i called for a brief hearing on the measure after yesterday’s Senate session, saying that there are only a few more days left in the Second Regular Session and for senators to review and decide on this Administration bill.

Magalei said he had an inquiry with the Governor’s Office on this bill and was told that it is the wish of the governor to have a Constitution public holiday.

Sen. Togiola T.A. Tulafono said there are so many government observed holidays and is very costly to ASG. He said adding on another holiday will mean additional increased costs to ASG. He said the United States also has a “Constitution Day”, which is a day for special recognition—  but not a federal holiday.

He recommended that American Samoa do the same, to recognize and honor Constitution Day with events and celebration but not another public holiday.

Sen. Malaepule Saite Moliga recalled senators’ arguments during the hearing on a House bill seeking to establish a Samoan Heritage Day, that it’s another additional cost to ASG.

Sen. Tuiagamoa Tavai, however, disagreed, saying that many of the ASG holidays are from the federal government and honoring the work of our forefathers through a Constitution Day holiday is important.

He supports the bill and called for passage by the committee while other senators support Togiola’s call to amend the bill to reflect that instead of a “public holiday”, Constitution Day be recognized.

Before the hearing concluded, the decision was made that the bill would be reported to the floor so that senators can vote on whether to pass or reject it.  And that would bring a final decision on the proposed law.

OTHER ISSUES

•           The House bill setting by law salary and pay scale for the local Education Department personnel was approved yesterday by the Senate in third and final reading. Provisions of the bill are identical to the Senate bill passed last week and now pending in the House.

•           Senate approved Tuesday in third and final reading the House version of an Administration bill that would amend local tax laws, allowing the ASG Treasury to distribute thousands of dollars under the federal Advance Child Tax Credit program using funds provided by the US Treasury Department pursuant to provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Senate version of the bill is pending in the House.