Monday January 5, 2009
By Tina Mata’afa tina@samoanews.com
Gov. Togiola Tulafono and Lt. Gov. Faoa Aitofele Sunia were sworn in Saturday, during a ceremony that filled the Lee Auditorium with family members, government leaders, traditional leaders, officials and citizens.
Gov. Togiola and Lt. Gov. Faoa were led in taking the Oath of Office by Chief Justice F. Michael Kruse.
Before they were sworn in, Rev. Elder Masalosalo Sopoaga, leader of the Pago Pago CCCAS, who led the call to worship and provided the opening prayer asked Gov. Togiola, Lt. Gov. Faoa, First Lady Mary Ann and Mrs. Elisapeta Sunia: “Do I need to remind you what the people of this territory are expecting of you? Do I have to remind you? The answer is no.”
“You have the experience and you have been given so much in the last few years. It is...important for you — governor and lieutenant governor...we are expecting you to show us a pattern of good works, — all of us, my friends are expecting from you (as God from Titus) — incorruptibility. May God bless you.”
During his remarks, which were given in the Samoan language, Gov. Togiola welcomed the people and the dignitaries in attendance including the various church leaders, Samoa Head of State Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese and his masiofo (queen), Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin and Department of Interior representative Nikolao Pula, deputy director of the Office of Insular Affairs, Dept. of Interior.
Togiola gave thanks to the people, who had gathered for the inauguration, and his voice cracked as he thanked his mother Mrs. Silika Tulafono, who was present at the inauguration and seated in the front row. She celebrated her 85th birthday New Year’s Day.
The governor said it was a special day and he was grateful his mother was able to witness the occasion. He wished everyone the best and thanked them for attending the ceremony.
Last, but not the least, Gov. Togiola thanked and recognized special guests — Sgt. First Class Senetenari “Sene” Polu, his wife Rosalind Tualatai Polu, daughter Chaztity and son Charley.
Sgt. First Class Polu is a Toa O Samoa, injured in Iraq and is a recipient of the Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge.
On April 2, 2008, Platoon Leader Sgt. First Class Polu was injured along with his Platoon Radio Telephone Operator (RTO) and an Iraqi interpreter assigned to his unit, when his patrol encountered an improvised explosive device or IED while conducting combat operations in the Diyala Province of Iraq.
Sgt. First Class Polu is the son of Mr. Pe’a Polu and Mrs. Avalele Polu, of Faleasao, Manu’a. He is assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery, which is part of the 4th Brigade (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), 2nd Infantry Division headquartered at Fort Lewis, Wa.
After recuperating from his wounds for several years at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Sgt. First Class Polu has been doing a lot of traveling with his family.
Gov. Togiola said when Sgt. First Class Polu was first injured, no one was sure if he would make it through or not, but the prayers and support of the people helped him pull through. He said Sgt. First Class Polu has returned with his family to thank the territory for their support.
The audience honored them with a resounding round of applause, as Sgt. First Class Polu and his family stood to be recognized during the inauguration.
This is the last term for the Togiola/Faoa administration, who were presented the official results, Certificates of Election, from the run-off elections held Nov. 18, 2008, by Chief Election Officer Soliai Tuipine Fuimaono.
After they look the Oath of Office, Togiola and Faoa were conferred inaugural blessings by spiritual leaders of various denominations. Hymns were provided by the Fagatogo Combined Choir and the Faga’alu CCCAS choir.
The colors were posted and retrieved by the Department of Public Safety Police Honor Guard.
Additional inauguration activities will be held at the Veterans Memorial Stadium in Ili’ili, with special guest from Washington DC, Governor Howard Dean, Chair of the Democratic National Committee scheduled to be in attendance.
Events at the stadium are set for Jan. 9, to begin at 4 p.m.
Posted By: The Bitty Baby Shop .
Tuesday, January 6th 2009 at 9:45AM
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