Amata and CODEL visit U.S. Sailors while in Finland

Washington, D.C. — Uifa’atali Amata visited U.S. Navy personnel in Finland last week and toured the USS Gunston Hall, as part of a Congressional Delegation that focused on veterans and military issues, and met with U.S. Ambassador to Finland Douglas Hickey and Finland Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto.

“Wherever I go, I find our people serving in uniform,” said Uifa’atali Amata. “The USS Gunston Hall is no exception, as a sailor of Samoan heritage serves in an engineering capacity on board. The Gunston Hall was in the region engaged in naval exercises with Finnish forces. I appreciated touring the ship and learning of its role in keeping our fleet in fighting shape, and thank you to Commander Nelson for hosting us. Thank you also to Minister Haavisto and Ambassador Hickey for discussing this region of the world with us.”

Finland is the fourth of five nations visited by the CODEL in travel arranged through the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, on which Uifa’atali Amata serves as Vice Ranking Member. Members of Congress honored U.S. Veterans and visited U.S. military personnel in several countries, along with meetings addressing such efforts as services to U.S. veterans abroad, national and allied security, and international cooperation on shared interests.