House honors passing of Jeanette Tausisi’i Shimasaki Tuaua

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The House of Representative officially reconvened on August 21, 2023 and on their 12th day of business, they passed the Western Regional Higher Education Compact bill for its second reading, and introduced the House concurrent resolution for the passing of Jeanette Tausisi’i Shimasaki Tuāua. 

Mrs. Tuāua, who passed away Monday evening, August 21, 2023 in American Samoa, became the first woman to graduate from the police academy and for many years, was the only woman to reach a high ranking position in law enforcement, until Pou Tuaolo Supapo was appointed Chief of Police in 2021. 

According to the resolution, “Jeanette” became a sergeant and in 1980 was promoted to Lieutenant, assigned to establish the Domestic Violence Program. In 1999, she was appointed acting warden for the territorial prison, and became eligible for captaincy but was not selected. In turn, she fought the Department of Public Safety in a public legal battle for the position and was formally promoted to rank of Captain in 2002 but, two months later, retired for medical reasons. 

She was born and raised in the village of Fagaalu, the daughter of High Chief Fano Frank Shimasaki and Lydia Godinet. Jeannette was married to Lene Tuāua and together, they had nine children. Her inspiring legacy for women in law enforcement led to the introduction of a House concurrent resolution that was passed in her honor. 

After conducting business — reading of House bills and concurrent resolutions — House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale gave the time over to the quorum to voice concerns they had, if any. 

Faipule Fiu Johnny Saelua started off by stating that he wants to see reports from the Director of Education on the preparation of school facilities for the start of the new school year.

“We’ve asked for a report on school improvements and maintenance of all local schools but the director of DOE did not provide it when he attended a hearing of the House Education Committee during the legislative recess.”

Fiu, who chairs the House Education Committee, also asked for a report from the Department of Health regarding their inspection of school facilities and stated that the information would help inform them, as lawmakers, about the condition of each school in their districts and identify what needs to be done before schools start.

“We also need to bring in the Department of Health and ask them why they’ve left the school inspections so close to the start of the new school year,” said Savali, adding to Fiu’s statements.

Faipule Manumaua Wayne Wilson brought up the frequent inmate escapes, and also communicated to his Fono colleagues that constituents are constantly calling him with concerns about the situation at the Tafuna Correctional Facility.

“If the escapes continue, something drastic may happen to hold the government accountable,” said Manumaua. “We recently brought in the Territorial Correctional Facility officials and they gave assurances, at best just to appease the members but the escapes have not stopped.”

Manumaua then urged the House Public Safety Committee to call in the TCF warden again to answer their questions, with Vice House Speaker Fetui Fetu supporting another hearing with the TCF officials.

The Fono lawmakers also brought up that they had not heard or read the assurances from Acting Governor Talauega E. V. Ale that the administration was moving to address the problem, which includes plans to hire 40 new guards for the TCF.

Faipule Larry S. Sanitoa mentioned that the House of Representatives should get a full briefing from the Director of the American Recovery Plan Act Office, Keith Gebauer, on the spending of ARPA money before hearings on the Fiscal Year 2024 budget begin and reminded his colleagues yesterday that the deadline for spending the ARPA money is December of next year.

“Seeing that the budget hearing schedule does not include the ARPA Director, it’s important for lawmakers to have an understanding of how much has been spent, what it was spent for and what the remaining funds are,” said Sanitoa to his colleagues.

American Samoa was awarded $479 million in ARPA money, and the American Samoa Plan Act Oversight Office was established by Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga as a division of the Governor’s Office to oversee the ARPA money. 

Duties that the Governor listed for the new office are: to maximize the territory’s use of ARPA funds; track all federal funds received; coordinate projects and programs to be funded inclusive of those offered by government, private sector and nonprofit organizations; and make sure federal guidelines and rules for the grants are adhered to.

The office was established in June last year, and that same month the Governor appointed Mr. Gebauer to head the office.