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OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Friday, February 15, 2008)
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 Lt. Gov Ipulasi announces Petti Tagipo Matila as intern to Senator Inouye
(UTULEI) – Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia today announced the selection of Petti Tagipo Matila, 23, as Intern to U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) in Washington DC.
In a presentation today at the Office of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia said he is delighted to announce Petti’s selection because of her academic history and credentials, her employment qualifications and the integrity she has displayed in her community service.
“I am very happy and honored to extend the greetings and congratulations of Governor Togiola, who is recuperating well in Honolulu, to Petti Matila. The Governor sends his best wishes as we are very happy for Petti’s selection because the internship with Senator Inouye allows students to observe politics firsthand and then reflect upon differences between theory and practice,” said Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi. “Petti will have the opportunity to see how politics shape public policy, and how decisions made in Washington affect the nation. I am sure Petti’s experience will help her to understand how politics will affect her career as a future leader of the Territory.”
Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi also expressed his sincere thanks to Senator Inouye for believing in the American Samoa Internship Program.
“On behalf of Governor Togiola, I wish to thank Fofogaosamoa Senator Inouye for this generous gift that honors in every way his commitment to excellence in government within the nation and specifically our region – a direct investment in the future leaders of this great Territory,” said Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi. “This intern 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.”
Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi said it is Governor Togiola’s hope that other members of Congress will participate in this very rewarding program that prepares future leaders of the Territory.
“Governor Togiola has always said that if we can get other U.S. Senators and Representatives to embrace this internship program, it would mean more opportunities for our young people to experience first-hand the world of politics and a great lesson in government and leadership.
Petti, who attended the official announcement press conference with her happy and proud mother, Lauiula, is currently employed at the local U.S. Department of the Interior – Office of Insular Affairs. She expressed her sincere gratitude for her selection.
“I wish to thank you Lieutenant Governor for this wonderful announcement. First and foremost, I would like to thank the Lord for all the wonderful blessings He continues to bestow upon me – with Him all things are possible. I would like to convey my deepest appreciation also to the Honorable Governor Togiola Tulafono and ‘Le Afioga Fofogaosamoa’ Senator Daniel K. Inouye for selecting me. I am truly humbled and grateful to be a part of this lifetime opportunity,” said Petti.
 “To my parents, Te’o Tagipo Pisa Matila and Lauiula Pua Matila of Iliili and Ofu, Manu’a, there are no better words to express how much I treasure you both in my heart – thank you for your endless love and support. There are so many inspiring individuals that I wish to acknowledge, you know who you are and you have all played an important part, whether big or small, in my journey. Your kindness and support will never be unnoticed.” said Petti. “Nevertheless, I wish to acknowledge the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) for the profound knowledge and tremendous experience I have gained to better serve the people of American Samoa. OIA’s mission to ‘develop more efficient and effective government in the insular areas by recommending policies, providing financial and technical assistance, and by strengthening Federal-insular relationships’ has inspired me significantly to further explore my interest in the fields of law and public policy.”
“This wonderful opportunity will be a remarkable experience to closely observe federal legislations that directly impact American Samoa and other U.S. Territories. It will prepare me to be a resourceful leader and, most importantly, as a public servant for the benefit of American Samoa,” concluded Petti.
American Samoa Interns are part of Senator Inouye’s legislative staff, providing input and information on the various issues that they handle.
While working in Honolulu and Washington, D.C., interns get an up-close and in-depth look at the legislative process, including the popular appropriations process whereby American Samoa receives its operational as well as capital improvement funding.
 PETTI’S BIO:
-Single. Daughter of Te’o Tagipo Pisa Matila and Lauiula Pua Matila of Iliili and Ofu, Manu’a. Three brothers and one sister. Iakina Seventh Day Adventist Academy 1997 class Valedictorian;
-Honor diploma from the Junior Statesmen of America (JSA) 1999 Summer Program at Northwestern University; 2001 graduate of Fa’asao-Marist High School, member of National Honor Society, Congressional Academic Scholar;
-Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from ASCC, Salutatorian - Fall 2002, member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society, ASG Scholarship recipient;
-Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, minor in Business Administration from the University of Arizona - Tucson.
-Ms. Matila is a former Congressional Intern of Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin’s District Office in 2003.
-She is currently employed at the local U.S. Department of the Interior – Office of Insular Affairs.
-Petti also serves as the Junior Statesmen of America Program Coordinator through the DOI office in American Samoa.
-She had also volunteered as Acting Secretary for the Coverage for All in American Samoa [Healthcare] Advisory Council.
-The 23-year-old is a certified Microsoft Office Specialist and has also received introductory trainings in national environmental policy, grants and financial management, and government performance based management.
In 1981, United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), known in Samoa as High Chief Fofogaosamoa, initiated the American Samoa Internship Program, a unique opportunity for Samoan young people to continue their education in the workplace, using the knowledge they have gained from their Congressional experience in their service to the people of American Samoa.
Since the program's inception, up until the year 2000, there have been nineteen interns who have served in Senator Inouye's Hawaii and Washington offices. After being idle for a few years, Governor Togiola Tulafono renegotiated the internship program with the Hawaii Senator, who has graciously reopened the internship program. For the past year Governor Togiola has recruited earnestly and he is proud to announce Petti Tagipo Matila as the twentieth intern from American Samoa.
Over its twenty-three 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 legislative session of the U.S. Congress.
The intern program traditionally rotates annually between male and female interns. Until this year, the American Samoa Legislature was responsible for selecting the individual who would serve the program. Beginning January 2004, the Governor is responsible for selecting the individual. To discharge his new duty to this venerable program, the Governor has made applications, selection criteria and information about the program available online, for the convenience of applicants.
Nikolao Pula, the current Director of the Office of Insular Affairs in the U.S. Department of Interior, was the very first intern in 1981. Past interns include: Lydia Faleafine-Nomura, Lancaster Allen, Christina Lutu, Josie Puletasi, Sina Solomona, Terry Letuli, Nathaniel Savali, Toetasi Tuiteleleapaga, Lupe Aumavae and Dora Ah-Sue.
Governor Togiola said he would like to discuss with other Members of Congress about similar opportunities in their respective offices.
Applications for the 2009 American Samoa Intern Program are now available.
For more information, please email Mr. Toetasi Tuiteleleapaga, Governor’s Legal Counsel, at: toetasi@americansamoa.gov
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