[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PARAMOUNT CHIEF LETULI TOLOA, PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE OF AMERICAN SAMOA

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, it is my sad duty to advise my 
distinguished colleagues of the passing of a great friend of our Nation 
and a great leader of the people of American Samoa. On January 30, 
1996, Paramount Chief Punefu-ole-motu Letuli Toloa peacefully passed 
away at his home after over four decades of public service.
  Since 1989 until his untimely death, Chief Letuli Toloa served as 
president of the senate of American Samoa. He was a retired U.S. Coast 
Guardsman, after more than 20 years of service. He served as governor 
of his district from 1974 to 1977 and was appointed commissioner of 
public safety for American Samoa in 1978. In 1981, Chief Letuli Toloa 
became a senator from his district and 8 years later was elected by his 
peers to be senate president.
  As a cultural and government leader, Chief Letuli Toloa did his 
utmost to protect the culture of American Samoa from the negative 
aspects of western influence and culture. This difficult task was 
carried out with great diplomacy. The fa'aSamoa continues to survive 
because of great leaders like Chief Letuli Toloa.
  In addition to his distinguished government service, Chief Letuli 
served for many years as deacon elder for his church. He will be 
remembered as a kind and gentle man who was noted for his great skill 
as a peacemaker in his extended family, in government, in his village 
and in his district. Though endowed with great power, he was always 
humble, and never succumbed to arrogance or vanity.
  I have had the pleasure of working with the son of Chief Letuli, who 
mirrors the many virtues and strengths of his great father.
  Paramount Chief Letuli Toloa is survived by his wife, Saolotoga 
Savali Letuli, 6 children, and 10 grandchildren. American Samoa has 
lost a great leader, and America has lost a good friend.

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