American Samoa Senate

History

American Samoa became a United States territory in 1900 and was initially administered by the Navy. From 1905, annual meetings were held with delegates sent from the local communities, as an advisory council to the naval governor.

In 1948, a bicameral legislature was established, still in advisory capacity. The upper house, named the House of Ali‘i, was composed of 12 members, being the seven high chiefs of Tutuila and the five high chiefs of Manu‘a. This legislature was reformed in 1952, after administration of American Samoa had been transferred to the Department of the Interior. Members of the House of Ali‘i became advisors to the governor, while a new upper house, named the Senate, was established. There were 15 senators, five from each of the three districts of American Samoa (Western, Eastern and Manu‘a). Senators were elected in open meetings, according to Samoan custom, and had to be holders of a matai title.

In 1960, the first constitution of American Samoa was adopted. The Senate became composed of 15 members: one from each of the then 14 counties, elected for four-year terms, and an additional senator rotating from the then four counties of the Western District, elected for two-year terms. In 1967, the revised constitution modified the Senate to 18 members, all elected for four-year terms: two from the combined counties of Ta‘ū island; one from the combined counties of Ofu-Olosega; three from Ma‘oputasi county; two each from Sua, Itu‘au and Tualauta counties; and one from each of the six remaining counties. Under both constitutions, senators are elected according to Samoan custom by the county councils and must be holders of a matai title.

Fano Solinuu Shimasaki was the first woman to serve in the American Samoa Senate.

List of senators

As of 2024, the members of the American Samoa Senate are:

Former senators

• Utu Abe Malae (R) – deceased October 2, 2018
• Tulifua Lam Yuen
• Liufau Sonoma – deceased August 4, 2009
• Fa'agata Manō Fa'agata-
• Uli Solomona – deceased July 22, 1980, served from 1973 to 1976, the revered High Chief from Aua Village, one of American Samoa's most highly decorated heroes, a World War II, Korean, and Vietnam veteran. Chief Uli is the recipient of the Nation's third-highest valor award the Silver Star, including awards of the Soldier's Medal, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with "V" device denoted by 2 bronze oak leaf clusters.
• A.U. Fuimaono
• Seui Laau
• Togiola Tulafono – (D) former governor, in office from 2003 to 2013
• Lualemaga Faoa – deceased January 24, 2017
• Galeai Moaaliitele Tuufuli – deceased October 24, 2018 --

Voting

The American Samoa Senate is the only legislature of its kind in the entire United States, both state and territorial, that is not directly elected by the voting population. Instead, the Senate's voting franchise is strictly limited to the various chiefs of the islands.

Past composition of the Senate

Main article: Political party strength in American Samoa

References

References

1. Sunia, Fofō Iosefa Fiti (2001). ''Puputoa: Host of Heroes - A record of the history makers in the First Century of American Samoa, 1900-2000''. Suva, Fiji: Oceania Printers. Page 190. ISBN 9829036022.
2. [https://books.google.com/books?id=rpNQAQAAMAAJ Historical Sketch of the Naval Administration of the Government of American Samoa], Capt. T. F. Darden, 1952.
3. [https://amsamoa.net/politics/history-of-the-fono.html History of the Fono], AmSamoa.net.
4. [https://books.google.com/books?id=edbMDQAAQBAJ The Statesman's Year-Book: Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1953], S. H. Steinberg.
5. [https://books.google.com/books?id=z0OsAAAAIAAJ Elite Communication in Samoa: A Study of Leadership], Felix M. Keesing and Marie M. Keesing, 1956.
6. [https://books.google.com/books?id=y6TPDQAAQBAJ The Statesman's Year-Book: Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1954], S. H. Steinberg.
7. (2021-03-05). "To all the women of American Samoa who came before us". [[Samoa News]].
8. "American Samoa Legislature (Fono)".
9. [https://new.asbar.org/code-annotated/2-0202-districts/ 2.0202 Districts], American Samoa Bar Association.
10. The Legislature of the Territory of American Samoa, The 16th Legislature 4th Regular Session, Senate Concurrent Resolution (S.C.R.) No. 91, July 25, 1980.
11. Military Times Hall of Valor http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=58155
12. Uli, Teddy (Founder & President of Polynesian Legal Social Services Corp., Uli Solomona and Manatua Tilo's youngest son.)
13. Modzelewski, Joe. "Uli's Eulogy." The Miami News 27 August 1980: 1C. Print.
14. "american samoa".