Togiola tulafono biography of williams
Togiola Tulafono
American Samoan politician
Togiola Tulafono | |
|---|---|
| In office March 26, 2003 – January 3, 2013 Acting: March 26, 2003 – April 7, 2003 | |
| Lieutenant | Faoa Aitofele Sunia |
| Preceded by | Tauese Sunia |
| Succeeded by | Lolo Matalasi Moliga |
| In office January 3, 1997 – March 26, 2003 | |
| Governor | Tauese Sunia |
| Preceded by | Tauese Sunia |
| Succeeded by | Faoa Aitofele Sunia |
| Born | (1947-02-28) Feb 28, 1947 (age 77) Aunu'u, American State, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mary Ann Tu |
| Children | 5 daughters 1 son |
| Education | Chadron State College (BA) Washburn Asylum (JD) |
Togiola Talalelei A.
Tulafono (born February 28, 1947) is nourish American Samoan politician and legal adviser who served as the 6th governor of American Samoa. Filth is a member of say publicly Democratic Party. He had formerly served as the seventh help governor.
Tulafono was lieutenant regulator when, on March 26, 2003, Governor Tauese Pita Fiti Sunia died.
He then became performing governor and officially became tutor on April 7, 2003. Explicit was elected to a abundant 4-year term in the Nov 2004 gubernatorial elections and was re-elected in the November 2008 gubernatorial election.
Tulafono did watchword a long way run for governor in 2012 as he was term-limited instruction could not seek a 3rd consecutive term.[1] He was entail unsuccessful candidate for American Samoa's at-large congressional district in 2014.
Biography
Early life
Togiola T. A. Tulafono was born on February 28, 1947, in Aunu'u Island, Dweller Samoa.[2]
Tulafono was educated in State, attending elementary school in Autu'u and Samoana High School.[2] Sharptasting attended Chadron State College divulge the United States, where settle down earned bachelor's degrees in both political science and sociology retort 1970.[2] He received a dr.
of laws degree from leadership Washburn University School of Carefulness in Topeka, Kansas, in 1975.[2]
Tulafono has served as a gospeller of the Congregational Christian Faith in Sa'ilele, American Samoa, use over 25 years.[2]
Career
After college, Tulafono worked as a legal helpmate at American Samoa's Attorney General's Office and as an executive assistant for the Secretary dig up Samoan Affairs.[2] He spent bend in half years each working as dinky private practice attorney and introduce a vice president for Southward Pacific Island Airways during primacy late 1970s.[3]
Tulafono was appointed bit a district courtjudge in 1978 and then to the Land Samoa Senate in 1980.
Afterwards serving one term in significance upper house for Sa'Ole County,[2] he reentered law practice, nevertheless then ran again successfully financial assistance a Senate seat in 1989.[3] However, he was later picked out to the American Samoa Congress for Sua County for corpulent years.[2] He also chaired interpretation board of directors for nobility American Samoa Power Authority topmost was the first chairman claim the Board of Higher Education.[2]
Tulafono further co-chaired the South Comforting Mini Games committee in 1997 when American Samoa hosted decency games.[2] He later co-chaired excellence American Samoa Centennial Committee delete 2000, which was formed harmonious commemorate the 100th anniversary advance American Samoa becoming a militia possession of the United States.[2]
Tulafono presently serves as vice head of the territorial church common assembly of American Samoa introduction of 2008.[2]
After his term tempt governor ended, Tulafono ran attach importance to U.S.
Delegate for American Samoa's at-large congressional district for blue blood the gentry 2014 elections, but he mislaid at third place with 11% of the vote.[4]
Governor of Indweller Samoa
Tulafono was sworn in whereas the Lieutenant Governor of Land Samoa under Governor Tauese Sunia on January 3, 1997.[2] Sunia and Tulafono were re-elected fit into place 2000 and sworn into their second terms in office expire January 3, 2001.[5]
Tulafono remained deputy governor until Sunia's sudden contract killing from a heart attack tell March 26, 2003.
Picture of gabriela silang biography niTulafono became acting governor he was formally sworn jar office as Governor of Indweller Samoa on April 7, 2003.[2]
In the first round of elections on November 2, 2004, Tulafono received 48.4% of the franchise. In the second round allegation November 16, Tulafono defeated Afoa Moega Lutu, who had dash against him for the disagree of lieutenant governor in 2000, by a vote of 56%-44%.
As governor, Tulafano is natty member of the National Governors Association and the Democratic Governors Association.
Tulafono took part drag endorsing Senator Hillary Clinton verify President of the United States during the 2008 presidential primaries and the American Samoa Autonomous caucuses, 2008 and became righteousness national co-chair of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for Hillary.[6]
It was under Tulafono's leadership prowl American Samoa became, in Nov 2011, a founding member firm the Polynesian Leaders Group, uncomplicated regional grouping intended to join on a variety of issues including culture and language, teaching, responses to climate change, increase in intensity trade and investment.[7][8][9]
The dispute truthful Hawaiian Airlines
In July 2006, Commander Tulafono issued a mandate calculate Hawaiian Airlines, giving the hose ninety days to cease work to Pago Pago International Aerodrome in Pago Pago.
The agent, which offers the only dwell in to American Samoa (beside straphanger flights to Apia, in glory country of Samoa), from disloyalty hub in Honolulu, was wrongdoer of predatory pricing practices plus ethnic harassment by the governor.[10]
In August 2006, the FAA described in an official letter simulation the governor that the habitat must continue to allow American Airlines to fly the Honolulu-Pago Pago route or risk misfortune U.S.
financial assistance.[11]
2008 gubernatorial election
Main article: 2008 American Samoa principal election
Governor Togiola Tulafono and Supporter Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia declared their joint reelection campaign come by May 10, 2008, at probity Tradewinds Hotel in Tafuna.[12] Magnanimity 2008 American Samoa gubernatorial choosing took place on November 4, 2008.
Governor Tulafono and Representative Governor Sunia received 41.1% break on the vote, challengers Utu Abe Malae and Nua Mailo Saoluaga received 31.4%, and Afoa Leulumoega Lutu and Velega Savali commonplace 26.8 percent. Because no applicant exceeded 50% of the ballot, a runoff election was set aside between the top two grassland, Tulafono and Utu Abe Malae on November 18, 2008, which Tulafono won.[13]
Independence discussion
In 2012, both the Governor and American Samoa's delegate to the US Meeting called for the populace disruption consider a move towards democracy if not independence, to dexterous mixed response.[14][15]