The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“HONORING THE LIFE OF MICHAEL R. SALA” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security was published in the in the Extensions of Remarks section section on page E77 on Jan. 28.
The Department was built out of more than 20 agencies in 2002. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lower taxes and boosting federal efficiency, argued the Department is burdened with "unneeded bureaucracy" which could be handled by other departments or standalone operations.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE OF MICHAEL R. SALA
______
HON. AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN
of american samoa
in the house of representatives
Friday, January 28, 2022
Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the late Michael Ryner Sala. Michael was a native son of the Territory of American Samoa, born on September 29, 1944, in the small village of Avaio in the far eastern district of the main island of Tutuila, American Samoa. His mother, Malia Elisapeta Silivelio Pa`utalo Sala Fata Eneliko Siligawas a woman of proud Samoan heritage, and his father, Raymond Ryner Howard, a Marine Platoon Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, whose barracks were situated in the next village during WW2.
He attended Faga`itua Elementary School and then Poyer High School, now known as Samoana High School. He graduated in June 1964 and received a scholarship to pursue medical training in Fiji. His life took a turn when, during the process of preparing to leave the island, he visited the police department in Fagatogo. He ran into a family member, Lt. Vilima`a Leiato, who offered him a position as a police officer--right there on the spot.
After consulting with his mother, he decided to accept the position and thus began his long and distinguished career in law enforcement. He went on to attend the Honolulu Police Academy and later the California Highway Patrol Academy. At 22, he was the youngest officer ever promoted to Sergeant; at 24 the youngest ever promoted to Lieutenant.
At the age of 28, the High Chief Title ``Tualamasala'' was bestowed upon Mike. Matai titles are only given to select family members with the approval of the senior matai or high chief and members of the extended family.
In 1973, at the age of 29, he began working as a Special Investigator for the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office in Portland, Oregon, and in 1975 became a Multnomah County Sheriff. He graduated from Portland State University in March 1977 with a bachelor's degree in Administration of Justice. In 1978, he graduated from the University of Portland with a master's degree in Criminal Justice Administration. He was a candidate for a second master's degree in Public Administration and a candidate for a doctoral degree in Criminology.
He returned home to American Samoa in 1978 where he served as Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety for 20 years. He served for 15 years as the Director of Intelligence for the South Pacific Islands Criminal Intelligence Network (SPICIN), the intelligence arm of the South Pacific Chiefs of Police Conference (SPCPC) organization which is comprised of 21 countries in the Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand, until 2003 when SPICIN was reorganized as part of the regions' information sharing and intelligence infrastructure solely administered by the American Samoa Government.
In September 1996, the Office of Territorial and International and Criminal Intelligence and Drug Enforcement (OTICIDE) separated from the Department of Public Safety and created as an independent law enforcement agency (Task Force). As director of OTICIDE, Mike was also a director of the INTERPOL Pacific Sub-Bureau comprised of Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa as Communications Control Center (CCC), under the United States Department of Justice, National Central Bureau in Washington, D.C.
In February 2007, he was appointed the first Director of the American Samoa Department of Homeland Security, ASDHS. He retired on January 3, 2013, after 50 years of law enforcement and public safety experience in American Samoa and the US mainland.
He was a lifetime member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and served as Chairman of the SPCPC from 1994-1995. He was Chairman of the American Samoa Government (ASG) Interagency Special Task Force on Narcotics and White-Collar Crime Enforcement for nine years. He directed a Bureau of Special Investigations within the Department of Public Safety. He was Chairman of the Preparedness Task Force on Terrorism in American Samoa, later renamed the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC). He served as Vice Chairman of the eleven-member Governor's Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, as well as Chairman of the ASG Personnel Advisory Board. He presented at numerous law enforcement conferences regionally and internationally, including the IACP, Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS), South Pacific Chiefs of Police, SPICIN and INTERPOL.
In addition to his long record of government service, Mike served his community. He was an active lifetime member and Charter President of the Lions Club in American Samoa. He joined the Boy Scouts of American Samoa in 1964 and was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America, American Samoa District Committee under the Aloha Counsel of Honolulu where he served as chairman for 17 years.
Mike was a tireless promoter of the highest ideals; he believed in friendship above all and was a true friend to countless people. His generosity of spirit and heart was legendary; he often helped people quietly when they needed it most and did not count the cost or want recognition for his many good deeds. He was fiercely loyal to his Lions Club brothers and sisters, where he encouraged and promoted many of them, especially his Lion sisters, to lead the organization after him. He was also tireless in promoting women in the workplace and mentored many worthy candidates in his years at Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Although he was extremely proud of his government service and accomplishments, he was most proud of his work with the Lions Club. Mike led the club as Charter President and then as club president four more times. He guided them in numerous community projects, including collaboration with the LBJ Medical Center, Department of Health, Feleti Barstow Library, and other government agencies to conduct vision screening clinics for residents, including outreach visits to the islands of Manu`a. Teams of doctors, nurses and technicians have been hosted by the Lions to work with the local club, where they offered vision screening, eye surgery and medicine to the Samoan community, free of charge.
Mike truly believed that in order to be a good citizen, one must give to their community.
He lived his life serving his island community, his village, and his people.
He took his final breath on the morning of January 17, 2022. He is survived by his children, Jennifer Rebecca Sala Jones and Matthew Michael Sala, and his grandchildren: Olivia, Malia, and Betty Merlea.
____________________
