|
WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Richardson delivered the good news to the Samoan community of the 37th Congressional District that in cooperation with the U.S. Department of State an aircraft has been secured to carry more than 100,000 pounds of donated items to the Samoan Islands.
The news, which was anxiously awaited for by the large Samoan community from Carson, Long Beach and Compton in Congresswoman Richardson's district, and as far as Utah beyond, was delivered by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the Congresswoman and Congressman Enid F.H. Faleomavaega, the Congressional delegate for American Samoa. Secretary Clinton is authorizing the funds from the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) for the purpose of having the emergency relief supplies airlifted from Congresswoman Richardson's district and delivered to Samoa.
“With so many people in need of basic supplies in Samoa, it has been a privilege to work with Congressman Faleomavaega to assist the people of my district in making sure the items they have collected will soon be in the hands of their families and friends," Congresswoman Richardson said. "This feat is only possible because of the dedication of Congressman Faleomavaega and Secretary Clinton. Even with a monumental decision pending concerning Afghanistan and in the middle of her trip to Europe, Secretary Clinton took the time, reviewed the needs and made a decision; unlike some of the unfortunate delays which plagued the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This feat was only possible because Congressman Faleomavaega, Secretary Clinton and I responded to the Samoan’s cry and my communities call to help."
Upon learning of State Department's air transport confirmation, Congresswoman Richardson immediately contacted Rev. Elder Ioane Mailo at Samoa Congregational Christian Church of South Los Angeles and then Chief Loa Pele Faletogo, president and executive director of the Samoan Federation of America Inc., at the Help Samoa Relief Coalition headquarters to inform them of the news.
More than 60 local organizations in the 37th District, including church groups, nonprofit organizations and others, collected in excess of 100,000 pounds of essential items to send to victims of the recent tragedy.
Congresswoman Richardson is a Democrat from California’s 37th Congressional District. She is a member of the House Committees on Transportation & Infrastructure and Homeland Security. Her district includes Long Beach, Compton, Carson, Watts, Willowbrook and Signal Hill.
###
|
