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“HISTORICAL RECORD OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY GRANT FUNDING IN AMERICAN SAMOA” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1689-E1690 on Dec. 2, 2014.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HISTORICAL RECORD OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY GRANT FUNDING IN AMERICAN SAMOA
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HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA
of american samoa
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to include, for historical purposes, information about National Emergency Grant funding in American Samoa.
Faleomavaega Thanks U.S. Department of Labor for Releasing Over $24
Million to Assist Clean-Up and Recovery Efforts in American Samoa
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the U.S. Department of Labor has released over $24 million in National Emergency Grant Funds to assist clean-up and recovery efforts in American Samoa.
``I want to personally thank my good friend and former colleague, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, for releasing more than $24 million in National Emergency Grant funds to help American Samoa rebuild,'' Faleomavaega said. ``The people of American Samoa are deeply appreciative of the support we are receiving from the federal government in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that struck our islands on September 29, and I thank the Obama Administration, the U.S. Congress, FEMA, Secretary Solis, and all others for standing with us as we begin the long and difficult process of rebuilding our homes and lives.''
``I also want to thank Senator Inouye and Senator Akaka for their unwavering support. Earlier today, we released a joint statement applauding Secretary Solis' decision to release more than $24 million in aid and, during these trying times, I want to thank both Senators for their heartfelt words and condolences.''
``With the outpouring of prayers being offered in our behalf, I have every confidence that American Samoa will rebuild but we will never be the same without the ones we have lost. This is why I continue to convey my condolences to the families and friends who have lost loved ones, and pledge to do all I can as we work to recover.''
The full text of the U.S. Department of Labor's notification, which was sent to Faleomavaega, Senator Inouye, Senator Akaka, and to members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), of which Faleomavaega serves as Vice-Chair, is included below:
NOTIFICATION
Dear Faleomavaega/ Inouye/ Akaka Staff and CAPAC, Attached is a release announcing a $24,857,608 National Emergency Grant award from the U.S. Department of Labor to assist clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of a tsunami that struck American Samoa on Sept. 29.
This grant is for clean-up and recovery from a natural disaster. National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines.
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$25 Million Grant for American Samoa Clean-Up and Recovery
U.S. Senators Daniel K. Akaka and Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Delegate Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa) today applauded a $24,857,608 federal grant to assist cleanup and recovery efforts in American Samoa following last month's destructive tsunami. The U.S. Department of Labor awarded the funds to American Samoa's Department of Human Resources to create more temporary jobs to assist in recovery efforts.
``I attended a memorial service in Washington this past weekend and was reminded of the tremendous toll this tsunami took: Entire villages destroyed, children and grandparents lost, livelihoods ruined,'' Senator Akaka said. ``This grant will help American Samoa create temporary on-island jobs so residents can begin rebuilding their homes and infrastructure, surveying environmental damage, and repairing damaged industries.''
``Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those affected by the earthquakes and tsunami in American Samoa. The trauma suffered by the people dealing with the devastation and tragic loss of life is difficult to comprehend. These funds will help rebuild and restore the property that was destroyed and damaged and hopefully restore some semblance of the lifestyle that was lost,'' said Senator Inouye.
Delegate Faleomavaega said: ``I want to personally thank my good friend and former colleague, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, for releasing more than $24 million in National Emergency Grant funds to assist clean-up and recovery efforts in American Samoa. The people of American Samoa are deeply appreciative of the support we are receiving from the federal government since the earthquake and tsunami struck our islands on September 29 and, once more, I thank the Obama Administration, the U.S. Congress, FEMA, Secretary Solis and all others for standing with American Samoa as we begin the long and difficult process of rebuilding.''
``Our hearts go out to the victims and survivors of the recent tsunami in American Samoa,'' said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. ``Today's grant will support ongoing recovery efforts and help American Samoans put their lives back together.''
Of the $24,857,608 announced today, $8,285,870 will be released initially. Additional funding up to the amount approved will be made available as the territory demonstrates a continued need for assistance, according to the Department of Labor.
On September 29, the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) declared all islands in the United States territory of American Samoa eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program. As a senior member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Senator Akaka has been briefed by FEMA officials on initial recovery efforts to send food, water, cots, medical supplies, and working vehicles from the FEMA Pacific Area Office warehouse in Honolulu to American Samoa. Senator Akaka worked to establish and maintain this office beginning in 1991 in order to protect isolated Pacific island communities.
For more information on National Emergency Grants, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG.
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U.S. Department of Labor Notifies Faleomavaega that Over $16 Million
Will Be Released to ASG for About 2,200 Temporary Workers to Continue
Clean-up and Recovery Efforts
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) notified him this evening that it will release $16,571,738 to ASG for about 2,200 temporary workers to continue clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of the tsunami that struck American Samoa on September 29, 2009.
On October 19, 2009 a National Emergency Grant (NEG) was approved for up to $24,857,608, with $8,285,870 released initially. This incremental and final NEG award will bring total NEG funds awarded for clean-up and recovery efforts to
$24,857,608.
``I want to again thank my good friend and former colleague, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, for releasing more than $24 million in NEG funds to help create about 2,200 temporary jobs in American Samoa,'' Faleomavaega said. ``I first contacted Secretary Solis in May of 2009 regarding NEG funds in response to Chicken of the Sea's announced closure and, on May 7, 2009, I provided Governor Togiola with the contact information necessary to request assistance for our workers, noting that any request put forward must originate with the Governor.''
``While that effort was underway between ASG and DOL, American Samoa was struck by a tsunami on September 29, 2009. In response to the tsunami, DOL immediately and preemptively reached out to ASG and assisted ASG in preparing and processing a disaster national emergency grant application. On October 19, 2009, ASG was then awarded over $24 million to create about 2,200 temporary jobs for clean-up and recovery efforts.''
``Discussions continue about how this grant might be more fully expanded, if necessary. For now, the American Samoa Department of Human Resources is responsible for the administration of the grant and ASG, in consultation with the DOL, determines who qualifies for temporary work.''
``Again, I thank DOL for its swift response in providing temporary work for the people of American Samoa. The DOL can be assured that the people of American Samoa are appreciative of the support the federal government is providing them, especially as we work together to rebuild and retool,'' Faleomavaega concluded.
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U.S. Department of Labor Awards $500,000 in Supplemental National Emergency Grant Funding to American Samoa Department of Human Resources
Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) this week awarded approximately
$500,000 in supplemental National Emergency Grant (NEG) funding to the American Samoa Department of Human Resources.
According to DOL, the funding will provide for the continuation of workforce development services to workers who held temporary jobs to assist with the clean-up and recovery efforts following the earthquake and tsunami and subsequent flooding that struck American Samoa in 2009.
The initial NEG award of $24,857,608 was approved on October 19, 2009, with $8,285,870 released initially and a second increment of $16,571,738 was approved and released on April 21, 2010. The supplemental funding of $500,000 announced this week will bring the total NEG funds awarded for this project to $25,357,608. With the supplemental funding, the project's period of performance is also extended for two quarters, so that all participants have more time to finish their full complement of reemployment services.
``I want again to thank my good friend and former colleague, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, for releasing more than $25 million over the past three years in National Emergency Grant funds for American Samoa,'' Faleomavaega stated.
``Immediately following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck our islands on September 29, 2009, the Department of Labor notified my office as well as the offices of Senator Inouye, Senator Akaka, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, informing us of the outpouring of millions of dollars of federal funding to help American Samoa with clean-up and recovery efforts. The funding also provided for needed jobs to employ American Samoans and help with our local economy,'' Faleomavaega added.
``I also want to thank and acknowledge the great work by our local leaders in the American Samoa Department of Human Resources, including Department Director Evelyn Langford and NEG Program Manager Tuimavave Tauapa'i Laupola, for the tremendous job they've done in managing this program as well as their tireless efforts in addressing the multifaceted needs of the Territory in the aftermath of the devastating 2009 tsunami. I have every confidence that this funding will continue to help our Territory rebuild,'' Congressman Faleomavaega concluded.
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