Back from Reunion, Amata Praises Presidential Declaration

Back from Reunion, Amata Praises Bush Declaration
June 9, 2003

(CAPITOL HILL) --White House AAPI Commissioner Aumua Amata Coleman today praised President Bush for declaring Tutuila a disaster area in the wake of torrential rains and mudslides that took four lives last month. The President's action makes American Samoa eligible for federal aid to stricken residents that can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance, according to a statement issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In addition, federal funds will be provided for the territory and affected local governments on the island of Tutuila to pay 75 percent of the approved costs for debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and the restoration of damaged public facilities.

"This storm was a terrible tragedy," said Amata, "especially for families that lost loved ones. FEMA aid cannot bring back those who were lost but so many people who suffered from property damage now will have a chance to get back on their feet."

Amata was advised of the President's declaration earlier today by the White House Cabinet Affairs Office. "When he requested the declaration," Governor Togiola asked for my personal assistance, and I was pleased to do so," said Amata. "Politics plays absolutely no role in disaster declarations but if being able to stand by to provide additional justification for federal assistance helps to move the process along, I am glad to be in a position to do so.

"Cabinet Affairs was unable to reach me until morning," said Amata, "because I was in Utah at the invitation of the Hannemann Family for their family reunion and to attend the wedding of my nephew, Walter Pulu Foster." At the reunion, which Amata was invited to address, she said "It was good to be together with so many aiga I hadn’t seen in awhile.”

Prior to departing for Utah, Amata also placed a call to Hans Langkilde to get an update on the coindition of his son, Diehl, who suffered injuries in the mudslide and had to be evacuated to Honolulu. "Hans told me that Diehl had lost some toes but was now stable and was expected to recover. He will haves a long period of rehabilitation ahead of him but praise God that his life was spared."

FEMA is expected shortly to begin federal recovery operations and announce procedures for requesting assistance in the designated area.

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