(UTULEI: July 26, 2010) –Governor Togiola Tulafono today together with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and American Samoa Government departments and agencies -- Commerce, Arts and Humanities and Visitor’s Bureau – and the youth of the Territory joined in celebration of the official designation of American Samoa as a Preserve America Community. 

The Preserve America designation, announced by First Lady Michelle Obama in February 2010, is part of a 2003 White House initiative that encourages and supports a community’s efforts to preserve its cultural and historic heritage. 

In a ceremony held at Su’iga’ula a le Atuvasa Beach Park in Utulei, Governor Togiola expressed his sincere gratitude to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, who administers Preserve America, and honorary chair, Mrs. Obama, for designating the entire Territory as a Preserve America Community, which provides American Samoa with significant economic, educational and cultural benefits through historic preservation and heritage tourism. (see photos)

In attendance at the celebration, which included the christening of the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary vessel that was named “Manuma,” were Mr. Dan Basta, Director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS) of NOAA, and move than forty members of NMS from all 14 federal sanctuary sites. 

Entertainment was provided by youth groups from the Pago Pago Catholic Church, Vatia Methodist Church and dance group – Taupou Manaia.

The following is the official text of Governor Togiola’s remarks at the preserve America celebration: 

REMARKS:

Preserve America Community Ceremony

by Governor Togiola Tulafono

Monday, July 26, 2010

Su’iga’ula le Atuvasa Beach Park

Utulei, American Samoa

Greetings, Talofa and Good Morning to all our distinguished guests, Reverend Ned Ripley of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa in Fagatogo, Mr. Dan Basta, Director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, all of your NOAA colleagues present here today, and the First Lady, here as Chair of our Jean P. Haydon Museum Board, our off island visitors, ladies and gentlemen. 

Today is a very special day in our history. We are here to celebrate our designation as the 814^th“Preserve America” community.  And since our appointment in February of this year, 29 more communities have received this same honor from Mrs. Michelle Obama making it a total of 843 Preserve America communities. We are only the second U.S. Territory to have received this designation. Selected areas of the U.S. Virgin Islands were first selected. But, our celebration is quite unique because we have the distinction of having all of our islands that make up the Territory of American Samoa as part of this Preserve America designation. 

Preserve America is a White House initiative that: 

“Provides leadership in preserving America’s heritage by actively advancing the protection, enhancement, and contemporary use of the historic properties owned by the federal government, and promotes intergovernmental cooperation and partnerships for the preservation and use of historic properties.” 

This designation as a Preserve America Community is a very special honor which recognizes communities in accordance with the goals of this program, that, I quote: 

-“Protect and celebrate their heritage;

-“Use their historic assets for economic development and community revitalization; and

-“Encourage people to experience and appreciate local historic resources through education and heritage tourism programs.”

“This is a preservation collaboration that includes everyone.” 

So, it is with great pride that I stand before you to celebrate American Samoa’s designation as the only Preserve America community south of the equator and the 814th preservation area. I am proud we received this recognition for our history and culture and I am excited by the opportunity to promote our heritage and culture through education, historic preservation and nature tourism planning through the Preserve America initiative. 

This recognition is a wonderful blessing for our people, community and the Territory to enhance, perpetuate and expand programs that maintain a sense of place and its unique relationship with nature so that we allow others to experience the Pacific Way through our traditional Samoan way of life. 

I was overjoyed when I received the invitation to petition for American Samoa, as a Preserve America community, as a means of preserving, perpetuating, enjoying and cultivating our cultural and historical values and way of life in ways that are consistent with our local efforts. 

Last year, while our application was still pending, I was asked if we wanted to delay the consideration of our application as the committee was sensitive and mindful of the devastation caused by the aftermath of the September 29^thearthquake and tsunami. I personally responded about the need to continue with the effort as a way to recognize the resilience of our community and our people. Despite the hardships and loss suffered, this was an opportunity to showcase that resilience and demonstrate how we can rise above the devastation and lift our spirits to help rebuild and strengthen us with new partnerships and programs to enhance who, what and why we are a “special place” and people. 

In this accomplishment, we could not have done it without help, and I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge and thank a great friend of this special place that we make as our island home. Thank you for the help of Mr. Daniel Basta, whose encouragement and direction paved the way for this celebration today. I want also to acknowledge and thank his team: the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries for their consistent and valuable assistance to the Territory, not only with actions leading to this event, but also coming to our aid when we needed to complete debris assessments after the tsunami. Dan’s leadership and commitment helped us during this difficult time. His team mobilized NOAA’s presence on the ground and he sent this vessel we are about to name “Manuma” to be used for the relief work and removal of debris from our reefs that took place in December, 2009. Dan has galvanized a group of programs, opportunities, activities and initiatives to support us in American Samoa and the greater Pacific. He has been instrumental in creating a platform that places our Territory in the driver’s seat of a Pacific Strategy for the US in oceanic learning, education/outreach, science and partnerships. I am deeply humbled by his attention to our small place and grateful for his commitment and friendship. Dan, I really appreciate more and more the values I have learned and utilize from the book you gave me a couple of years ago: “Small is Beautiful.” So, while Preserve America may look like a small endeavor, its benefits for the people of American Samoa are huge and enduring. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask you now to join me in showing our appreciation, fa’afetai and fa’amalo to Mr. Daniel J. Basta, Director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, who brought down more than 40 of his Sanctuary team from all 14 Sanctuary sites not only to help us launch this historical event but also to assist in conducting for the first time ever, the “Dive into Education Marine Science workshop” this week in American Samoa with a big round of applause. 

 This workshop is targeted for our local teachers tomorrow and Wednesday, where more than 130 participants are slated to attend. While Dan is here, we will also be discussing progress and additional opportunities and partnerships for the Territory. The culminating event is on Friday, a Traditional & Cultural Indigenous Resource Protection Workshop. I believe we have a great line up of speakers from the Pacific, the first nation Quinault tribe and local leaders as panelists. I urge everyone who is here today, and those watching on TV and listening on the radio to take advantage of the opportunities afforded this week. I especially want to remind the teachers registered for the Dive into Education workshop to value the resources and expertise – actively participate and take what you learn back to the schools and students. 

Finally, I want to also acknowledge the partnerships and programs that have assisted with the event today: Department of Commerce as the co-manager with the Sanctuary Program, Arts Council of American Samoa, Visitor’s Bureau, all the local vendors, the performance groups and to all of you and the people of American Samoa who have made this historical event a true celebration and showcase of our special place and people. 

Dan, it is my prayer that God will bless you abundantly for your kind and gracious concern for people, and for all the great work to preserve and conserve the creations of God on our Earth, and especially those in American Samoa. 

My congratulations to the people of American Samoa for this wonderful honor as a Preserve America Community. Soifua. 

---americansamoa.gov---