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Office of the Governor
Executive Office Building, Third Floor, Utulei
Pago Pago, American Samoa, 96799
PHONE: 684-633-4116
FAX: 684-633-2269
For Immediate Release Thursday, March 27, 2003
AMERICAN SAMOA MOURNS
THE PASSING OF
GOVERNOR
TAUESE SUNIA
(Pago Pago, American Samoa) Lieutenant
Governor Togiola T. A. Tulafono officially announced
the sudden and tragic passing of American Samoa’s Governor Tauese Pita Fiti
Sunia. Governor
Sunia passed away peacefully at approximately 4:00 pm (Samoa time) on Wednesday,
March
26, 2003 while onboard a flight from Samoa to Honolulu, Hawaii. He was traveling
with First
Lady Fagaoalii and a physician when he passed away prior to the scheduled flight
arrival into
Honolulu where he was to undergo medical treatment.
Lt. Governor Togiola expresses his profound
and deepest sympathies to First Lady Fagaoalii
and the entire Sunia Family. “An exceptional leader in both the government and
the church,
Governor Sunia, with his approachable demeanor and his love for his people was a
pillar of
the American Samoa community. His sudden and unexpected passing comes as a shock
to
the government and people of American Samoa.” Lt. Governor Togiola has
declared Tuesday,
April 1 as the official public day of mourning throughout the territory.
Governor Sunia will be flown back to American
Samoa on Monday, March 31st. Upon arrival,
his body will be escorted to the Executive Office Building in Utulei where he
will lie in state until
mid-morning. State Memorial Services for the Governor will be held at 11:00 am
on Tuesday,
April 1st at the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa in
Fagatogo. Family Funeral
Services will be held at the CCCAS Leone church at 10:00 am on Friday, April 4th.
State Funeral
services will be held at the CCCAS Kanana-fou church at 10 am on Saturday, April
5th.
Further information and Governor Sunia’s biography is available on the ASG Website at:
www.asg-gov.com
Condolence messages may be sent to the following:
Facsimile: (684) 633-2269 - (684) 633-2093 - (684) 633-2320
Email:
ASGGov@asg-gov.com
For further information the public may also contact the Office of the Governor at:
Tel: (684) 633-4116