A. U. Fuimaono | |
|---|---|
| Delegate at-large fromAmerican Samoa | |
| In office January 3, 1971 – January 3, 1975 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | A. P. Lutali |
| Member of theAmerican Samoa Senate | |
| In office 1985–1992 | |
| In office 1975–1978 | |
| Preceded by | Lualemaga Faoliu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Asuemu Ulufale Fuimaono (1924-01-24)January 24, 1924 Fagaʻalu,American Samoa, U.S. |
| Died | September 9, 2008(2008-09-09) (aged 84) Fagaʻalu,American Samoa, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Felefele Fuimaono |
| Education | Feleti Memorial Teachers Training School |
Asuemu Ulufale Fuimaono (January 24, 1924 – September 9, 2008) was anAmerican Samoanpolitician andParamount Chief who served asAmerican Samoa's firstDelegate-at-Large to the United States House of Representatives in a four-year term from 1971 until 1975.[1][2][3] Fuimaono also served as the governor ofWestern District, American Samoa on the island ofTutuila from his appointment in 1993 until his death in 2008.[4]
A.U. Fuimaono was educated at theMarist Brothers Catholic School, Poyer School andSamoana High School.[4] Fuimaono went on to obtain histeaching certification from Feleti Memorial Teachers Training School.[4]
Fuimaono enlisted and served in theUnited States Navy for four years.[4]
Fuimaono was a full Samoanchief.[4] Fuimaono helped to establish the firstPolitical Status Commission, which was held in 1969.[4] He was for a time the USDA director in American Samoa.[5]
Fuimaono was elected as American Samoa's firstDelegate to theUnited States House of Representatives in 1970.[6][3] As Fuimaono was not a sworn member of the U.S. House of Representatives, he worked more like an elected lobbyist for the islands including testifying to theU.S. House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs to advocate for American Samoa's issues.[7] As delegate he was instrumental in reversing a temporary ban on the recruitment of American Samoans by theUnited States Army.[8]
Fuimaono left Washington D.C. in 1974 and returned to American Samoa. He was elected to theAmerican Samoa Senate in 1975 as a replacement forLualemaga Faoliu,[9] and served in the 14th and 15th American Samoan Legislatures.[10] During this tenure, Fuimaono also served asPresident of the Senate for 18 months.[2]
He unsuccessfully contested the1977 American Samoan gubernatorial election, coming third in the first round.[11] Following the election he left the Senate to take up a position in the Cabinet of GovernorPeter Tali Coleman.[2] He returned to the Senate following the end of his Cabinet position. He served again in the Senate from 1985 until 1992 during the 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd American Samoan Legislatures.[10] Ultimately, Fuimaono served in all three branches of the American Samoan government, including as a legal advisor on Samoan matters within the territorialJudiciary.[4]
Fuimaono was appointed governor ofWestern District, American Samoa[4] in 1993.[2] He served as governor until his death in 2008.[2] Fuimaono was unable to attend many public events in 2008 due to failing health.[2]
Fuimaono also sat on theboard of directors for a number of American Samoan committees and organizations throughout his career. He served as Chairman of theCongregational Christian Church of American Samoa.[4] He also worked aschairman of theAmerican Samoa Red Cross, Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America Samoa's Aloha Council and Chairman of Future Farmers ofSamoa.[2]
At one point, Fuimaono joinedStarKist Tuna as the company's Director of Government andIndustrial Relations in theprivate sector.[4] StarKist Tuna has a largecannery and processing facilities in American Samoa.
Fuimaono was awarded the Governor's Humanitarian Award in 2000.[10] The award, which is sponsored by the Amerika Samoa Humanities Council was established in 1996 by former GovernorA.P. Lutali.[10] Fuimaono was given the honor for his role as a church, governmental and traditional Samoan leader.[10]
A.U. Fuimaono died on September 9, 2008, atLBJ Tropical Medical Center inFaga'alu,American Samoa, at the age of 85.[2]
TheAmerican Samoa Senate observed amoment of silence in Fuimaono's honor during its session on September 10, 2008.[3] GovernorTogiola Tulafono ordered allAmerican flags lowered to half-staff.[4]
Tributes poured in from across American Samoa.American Samoa GovernorTogiola Tulafono said that American Samoa had lost a great leader, "We will forever be grateful to his leadership, dedication and contribution. He will be greatly missed."[2] Representative Eni Faleomavaega said that Fuimaono "was like a father to me."[2]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| New constituency | Delegate at-large of American Samoa 1971–1975 | Succeeded by |
| Delegates at-large |  | |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. delegates | ||
