Senate moves to codify a long-used but unofficial legislative seal

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate is moving to make official the “seal” of the “Fono Faitulafono” — Legislature — through a bill sponsored by Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean and assigned to the Senate Government Operations Committee, chaired by Sen. Togiola T.A. Tulafono, for review and consideration.

The bill’s preamble notes that the Legislature has always had an unofficial seal and the time has come to formally adopt it and codify it.

“Establishing an official seal will signify the identity of the Legislative Branch” of government and the “seal will authenticate and validate all official communication between the Legislature and the outside world,” the preamble states. And it will be s sign and symbol of the Legislature.

The preamble explains that the Fono official seal is based on the American Samoa Government seal, encompassing the “fue” or fly switch, which represents wisdom, and the “to’oto’o” or the staff, which represents authority within the Samoan culture. The “tanoa” or kava bowl represents service to the chief and the family. And the “fale or Samoan guesthouse behind the fue, to’oto’o and the tanoa, represents not only the heart of the Samoan family but also is where family, village, district and territory decisions are made.

Furthermore, the Fono seal will take its rightful place at the front of the newly constructed Fono building, currently scheduled to open in December this year, “where it will serve as a reminder to all of the stateliness and majesty” of the Legislature.

The bill creates a new Chapter under local statute, which is the “Official Seal” of the Legislature. “No one may reproduce the seal on any item sold commercially without the consent” of the Senate President and House, in writing, according to a provision of the proposal law.

And the seal — which has been used in Fono communications and other documents over the years — has the wording, “Fono Faitulafono” and American Samoa. The bill, was introduced last Friday.

Also introduced and approved last Friday is a Senate Resolution, which amends Senate Rules and adds a Chaplain position as a Senate employee and defines the Chaplain’s position. It says that the Chaplain is to attend every day of the Senate session and any other meetings as required by the Senate President to provide spiritual support.

The Chaplain, who must be an American Samoan, as defined by local statute — must be fully ordained by a religious organization authorized to operate in American Samoa, according to provisions of the resolution sponsored by Sen. Togiola T.A. Tulafono.

The Chaplain must remain in good standing with that religious organization. And a suspension by the religious organization, in which he is ordained, shall be grounds for dismissal as Senate Chaplain.

Under current rules, officers of the Senate shall be the Senate President and President Pro Tempore — who shall both be members of the Senate — the Secretary of the Senate and a Sergeant-at-Arms.

The Senate secretary and Sergeant-at-Arms are both positioned by being elected by a majority vote of the Senate membership. The new rules add the Senate Chaplain as an officer of the Senate — elected by a majority vote of the Senate. And these officers serve four-year terms.

Since the start of the 37th Legislature, in January last year, the Senate has had on its staff a Chaplain selected by the Senate President.