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OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR – AMERICAN SAMOA
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Friday, March 6, 2009)
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Office: (684) 633-4116 - Fax: (684) 633-2269 - Cell: (684) 733-4680
(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today launched American Samoa’s official website devoted to information regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) –also referred to as the Federal Stimulus Bill.
Governor Togiola said the local website http://recovery.americansamoa.gov was created to disseminate the volume of useful information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“The website has been developed to help us quickly share information about the Recovery Act, so that every deserving project in American Samoa can secure and use its fair share of Federal Stimulus funds,” said Governor Togiola.
Governor Togiola also announced today the Stimulus Office Team, which will be based on the third floor of AP Lutali Executive Office Building in Utulei.
“I am happy to announce that our Stimulus Office Team will be led by Mr. Pat Galea’i, our federal grants manager, with Mrs. Gale Tuaoi Clark, who performed accounting work for many years as ASPA, and Mrs. Ivy Tuaolo Taufa’asau, recently of the Office of Procurement,” said Governor Togiola. “Our Stimulus Team will work with every public agency and other appropriate entity in American Samoa to coordinate, assist, inform and give updates on the Recovery Act.”
The Stimulus Office Team will: Coordinate projects that will create long-term investment in American Samoa; Assist potential stimulus projects meet implementation and reporting requirements; and Keep all abreast of progress toward common goals of job creation, 21st century infrastructure improvement, and economic growth.
“Having strived to make the American Samoa Government more accountable, transparent and open during my administration, I am enthralled by the call by President Barack H. Obama and the U. S. Congress to ensure that all Americans can track the Stimulus dollars as they become available and are expended,” said Govenror Togiola. “We are still working to assess what types and how much funding American Samoa will ultimately receive. This website enables the viewer to see information about the process as it unfolds, and serves as the portal by which one can track how funds are being used in American Samoa, the only inhabited U.S. soil south of the equator.”
Governor Togiola said American Samoa is well-positioned to benefit from the developing Federal Economic Stimulus package. He said the plan holds real promise to put people to work, to help families, and to invest in crucial infrastructure.
“We must act swiftly, strategically, and boldly to take full advantage of this golden opportunity to make enduring investments in American Samoa. With complete accountability and transparency, we must do so in a way that effectively meets the critical economic development priorities of our Territory,” said Governor Togiola. “This website is an interactive portal for all to submit expressions of interest in Federal Stimulus dollars and to view general information about the Federal Stimulus. Stimulus funds will ultimately be distributed to ASG agencies, business and other organizations, and not directly to individuals. As we will provide additional information on the stimulus as it becomes available, all are encouraged to visit this website on a regular basis.”
Governor Togiola expressed his sincere gratitude to the people of American Samoa for the interest and support for future growth of the Territory.
“I wish to thank you for the continuing support to build and strengthen our Territory’s economy. Working together, we will invest the Federal Stimulus resources wisely to ensure American Samoa's continued economic growth and prosperity,” said Governor Togiola.
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