Togiola extends Inouye internship applications to Oct. 26

Because of the high interest in the one-year Inouye internship program, Governor Togiola Tulafono has extended the deadline for applications to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26, adding three weeks to the initial deadline date of Oct. 5

The internship program is to provide Samoan students with an opportunity to continue their education in the public sector, using the knowledge they gain from their Congressional experience in service to the people of American Samoa.

The one-year internship is for the Washington DC office of U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye who initiated the American Samoa Intern Program “as a goodwill investment in the future leaders of American Samoa” in 1981.

Togiola said in a statement that the deadline extension is due to the high interest from American Samoa students residing off island, in addition to the fact that there are only two flights per week for mail delivery.

“I am very happy to hear of the many applicants on island and also great interest in the Inouye Internship Program from off island in the states and as far away as Europe,” said the Governor. “It’s important that we allow all our applicants from overseas sufficient time to ensure that their application and required documents arrive in our office.”

Interested applicants must be armed with certain documentation to include a Letter of intent to participate in the program, which should identify in detail the role that the internship will play in his/her career; three letters of recommendation; a current resume; and verification that he/she has graduated from an accredited four-year institution of higher learning.

While working in Honolulu and Washington, D.C., selected interns will get an up-close and in-depth look at the legislative process, including the all important appropriations process whereby American Samoa receives its operational and capital improvement funding. They will be part of Inouye’s legislative staff, providing input and information on the various issues that they handle.

Interns also get hands-on experience working on critical issues that directly affect American Samoa as well as other Pacific Island territories.

Describing the internship program as a great blessing and opportunity for the territory’s young people, Togiola said, “This internship program is a generous gift that honors in every way Senator Inouye’s commitment to excellence in government within the nation and specifically our region - a direct investment in the future leaders of this great Territory.”

He added, “This very successful program is a breeding ground for American Samoa’s most talented, energetic and eager minds. American Samoa is indebted to the kind Senator for this great honor.”

Over its twenty-four year history, the American Samoa Intern Program has seen 19 interns. The term for each intern is one year, typically from January to January.
One-year terms give interns the benefit of experiencing one full half of a sitting U.S. Congress.

Nikolao Pula, the current director of the Office of Insular Affairs for the U.S. Department of Interior, was the first to ever be selected as the American Samoa Intern for the program.

Prior to 2004, it was the American Samoa Legislature that selected which individual would attend the program. But since January 2004, the responsibility has been transferred to the Governor.

More information can be obtained by visiting either Toetasi Tuiteleleapaga at the Governor’s Office (633-4116 or toetasi@americansamoa.gov), or Lupe Aumavae at the Department of Commerce (laumavae@americansamoa.gov or 633-5155).

Information is also available on the American Samoa Government web site - http://americansamoa.gov