Faleomavaega says credit for tax credit passage should be given to God
August 02, 2006

Faleomavaega says credit for tax credit passage should be given to God

By La Poasa

Samoa News Staff

In response to Aumua Amata's recent announcement published by Samoa News on July 31, 2006, in which Faleomavaega said Amata took credit for the passage of American Samoa's tax extensions, Congressman Faleomavaega said in a statement yesterday that "all credit should be given to God."

Faleomavaega said that for years, Amata has had a habit of saying "as a nine-year Hill veteran she has friends, allies and connections in Congress and, for years, Samoa News has published her statements without verification or documentation of her claims."

"Once and for all, let's put an end to this," said Faleomavaega "Show us your proof. Show us your proposals. Show us how you saved the day and passed tax credits to benefit American Samoa."

SAMOA NEWS CLARIFICATION

Samoa News wishes to clarify to Faleomavaega, for the record, that Amata did not claim credit for the passage of the tax extension in the US House, but she claimed credit for the 30A proposal as being her idea.

Samoa News did not publish Amata's press release "as is" - but treated it as a story reporting that Amata makes such a 'claim.' There was nothing in our story indicating that Amata was taking credit for the proposal's passage in the US House.

Because Amata's press release was received late on Sunday, and we were not able to get a timely response from Faleomavaega, the Samoa News story was written about Amata's claim, and included statements from Faleomavaega explaining, as we said in the story, his "behind the scenes" work regarding the 30A proposal that was passed last Friday.

In addition, Samoa News searched our archives and found releases from Amata, dating back to 2005, in which she suggested a "wage credit" proposal, which is what 30A is. One release, published on Nov. 17, 2005 by Samoa News, reported Amata saying there are alternatives that can be pursued aside from 936.

The release said, "For example, [Amata] cited that an American Samoa employment or wage credit tied to actual job creation instead of corporate profits may be something Congress could actually favor and support without the objections raised against Section 936."

Whether the 30A proposal was Amata's idea in the first place, the Samoa News does not know. What Samoa News did was present the claim and to be fair to our congressman, provided information that was available to us regarding Faleomavaega's work for the 30A proposal in order to present a balanced story.

The same release from Amata was also reported by the local media, including the two local newspapers which published the release this week "as is."

As to Faleomavaega's notion that "for years, Samoa News has published [Amata] her statements without verification or documentation of her claims, the Samoa News assures readers that all press releases are reviewed for content and verification. The decision to run one rests solely with the Editor-in-Chief.





FALEOMAVAEGA ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In Faleomavaega's statement yesterday, he gave credit and thanks "to God for his guidance" as well as local leaders and the people of American Samoa.

He also gave credit to the CEOs and officials of both Star-Kist and Chicken of the Sea canneries, DOI officials including former Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton and Papali'i David Cohen, US Tuna Foundation executive director, and Chairman Bill Thomas of the Ways and Means Committee "who was our greatest champion."

Faleomavaega also acknowledged by name members of the Senate who support American Samoa's tax credit extension.

"These have been the critical players and without the support of Chairman Thomas this proposal would have gone nowhere," he added.

Faleomavaega recalled for readers that on March 5, 2006, Amata said in a statement in reference to Chairman Thomas, that 'our Delegate appears to have backed the wrong idea with the wrong allies.'

The congressman believes that Amata owes "Chairman Thomas and our other allies and the people of American Samoa an apology." He said Thomas was not the wrong ally, but the right one "who, as a Republican, put politics aside and did what was best for the people of American Samoa."

"The fact of the matter is Chairman Thomas is retiring and he had nothing to gain by extending our tax credits. He extended them because he knew we needed them and we owe him our thanks," continued Faleomavaega. "While it is clear that Mrs. Amata Radewagen is desperate to convince our people that she is a key player in Washington, it is wrong for a candidate to disrespect those who have helped us so much."

Faleomavaega said the despite Amata's constant criticism throughout this process, "I continue to express my sincere appreciation to our people for their prayers and moral support. I truly believe in the Samoan proverbial expression, "E le sili atu le ta'i lo'o le tapua'i" which means those of us in the front line are no more important than those who are praying for us in the background."

Reach the reporter at la@samoanews.com.

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