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Amata Coleman Radewagen

R

American Samoa U.S. House, At-large District (2015 - Present)

Congress Bills
Speeches
Articles

Amata Welcomes $10.6 Million in Federal Funds for Infrastructure Development

Apr. 18, 2018

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Doug Domenech’s announcement granting $10.6 million in federal funds to American Samoa for infrastructure developmental needs. During his visit to American Samoa with Aumua Amata to celebrate 118 years since the Territory became a part of the United States, Assistant Secretary Doug Domenech was able to observe first-hand the Territory’s health, social, and economic conditions. “I am pleased that Assistant Secretary Domenech was able to join us in the celebration of our Flag Day,” said Aumua Amata. “Most importantly, I appreciate this commitment to American Samoa’s needs as demonstrated by his presence here with us and the approval of these funds.” Assistant Interior Secretary for Insular Areas Doug Domenech and Congresswoman Amata at Wednesday’s tugboat christening.   The FY 2018 infrastructure grant is dedicated to specific projects at the wharf, schools, and hospital of American Samoa including the assistance for shipyard training, education and conservation awareness, and licensing for medical professionals. The OIA has provided in detail, project instructions and requirements to each of the associated departments funded. The following list specify a summary of the projects and appropriations as indicated by the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) through their Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Program: “A special thanks to the Department of Interior and Assistant Secretary Domenech, along with Governor Moliga for his work regarding these funds for American Samoa,” continued Aumua Amata. “These funds will make a significant impact in the improvement of our Territory’s infrastructure.”

Amata Congratulates Student from American Samoa Upon Her Second Service Academy Acceptance

Mar. 8, 2018

Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is proud to congratulate Miss Ji Hyun Oh upon her second acceptance to another of the nation’s prestigious service academies, this time the United States Air Force Academy. A few weeks ago, she announced that the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, also offered a fully qualified appointment to be a member of the Class of 2022.  “Once again, I’m very pleased to announce a fully qualified appointment for Ji Hyun Oh, this time to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado,” said Aumua Amata. “I’m so happy for her and her family, and I know all the proud educators in her life feel a part of this moment. We’re truly proud of you.” Amata with Ji Hyun Oh, accepted to both the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy, and her proud parents. Ji Hyun Oh was one of the local students nominated by Amata to compete for an appointment to a service academy this year. She was born in American Samoa to her proud parents, Shi Yeong Oh and Jin Sook Lee. She was educated here in American Samoa and graduated from South Pacific Academy in 2017 as the class valedictorian with a GPA of 3.95. During her time at South Pacific Academy, she served as the Student Body President, a member of the National Honor Society, and participated in the STEP-UP Program at the American Samoa Community College Land Grant for 4 weeks. She is currently attending the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) where she was inducted as a member of the Health Occupations Student of America (HOSA), and is a proud volunteer for the American Samoa Cancer Coalition. Despite her busy schedule with her college courses, Miss Ji Hyun Oh offers tutorial assistance to high school students in Algebra, Geometry, and SAT Math. Her brother, Midshipmen Hyun Duck Oh, is in his first year at the U.S. Naval Academy. She resides in Ottoville, American Samoa, with her parents.  “These are wonderful opportunities, and it takes a lot of sustained effort to reach this high academic level,” continued Congresswoman Amata. “Keep up the good work.”

Amata Chairs Joint Hearing Examining Broadband Access

Mar. 6, 2018

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Chairman Aumua Amata presided over a joint hearing of both the Small Business Subcommittee on Health and Technology, and the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade, which is led by Chairman Rod Blum of Iowa, as Members examined broadband access in rural and remote locations. “American Samoa needs better telecommunications and internet connectivity, and Cyclone Gita showed the serious need for better infrastructure and services,” said Aumua Amata. “Communities with smaller populations in remote areas often depend on area providers of internet services, where the major nationwide providers haven’t invested. It’s important that people have the affordable access they need to use these services. We need to take every opportunity to reduce barriers, and take steps to sustain and improve these much-needed services.”   Chairman Amata in Joint Hearing on Broadband Access for Remote Areas. The hearing was titled, “Disconnected: Rural Broadband and the Business Case for Small Carriers.” Specifically, the hearing examined the digital divide between urban and rural carriers, and the disparities between the large carriers and the small carriers. “Expanding broadband access in American Samoa and the insular territories is a priority,” continued Chairman Amata. “We know that deploying broadband in rural and higher-cost areas cannot be built solely on the shoulders of small carriers, but must be a functional and bilateral partnership with large carriers and responsible regulatory bodies. As plans evolve, it is our duty to ensure that all our people have access to robust, speedy wireless internet and telecommunications services at reasonable costs.”   Joint hearing of two Small Business Subcommittees examined efforts to improve services to rural and remote areas. The following witnesses testified: Ms. Erin Fitzgerald, Regulatory Counsel, for the Rural Wireless Association, Inc.; Mr. Tim Donovan, Senior Vice President, Legislative Affairs, for the Competitive Carriers Association; Mr. Paul Carliner, Co-Founder, Bloosurf, LLC; and Mr. Derrick Owens, Senior Vice President of Government & Industry Affairs, for WTA — Advocates for Rural Broadband. Watch Amata in the hearing here. Below is the full text of Aumua Amata’s Opening Remarks: Talofa, good morning.  This hearing will come to order. First, I’d like to thank our witnesses for taking the time to share their thoughts with us today, I look forward to your testimony.  I’d also like to thank Chairman Blum for co-leading this important discussion.  Today’s joint hearing of the Subcommittee on Health and Technology, and the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy, and Trade will focus on challenges facing small internet service providers deploying broadband to rural, high-cost areas.  This hearing expands upon past conversations started in Committee and recently continued in a hearing led by Chairman Blum a few short weeks ago.   This topic is of particular significance to the people of American Samoa as our telecommunications and internet connectivity is severely lacking, especially in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Gita.  As our world becomes increasingly dependent on a robust telecommunications service and wireless internet, the lack of it in places like American Samoa and rural America becomes even more glaring.  These high-cost areas depend upon the industriousness and commitment to deploying robust, accessible broadband by small, rural, and regional internet service providers.  However, challenges facing these carriers in obtaining adequate financing and competing against large, nationwide carriers significantly impede forward progress, further exacerbating the disparities between urban and rural communities.  Having this connectivity is critical, not only to stimulate economic growth, but also to ensure a basic level of connectivity for our citizens, such as the ability to place a call to loved ones and first responders in the event of an emergency or disaster.  As we begin to examine the current state of America’s infrastructure and take steps to improve our Nation’s highways and buildings, we need to ensure that broadband is at the front and center of all infrastructure discussions.  I now yield to Chairman Blum for his opening statement.