29 Jan 2009

Two Pacific leaders elected as committee chairs in US

7:24 pm on 29 January 2009

American Samoa's Congressman Faleomavaega Eni has been elected to serve a second term as the Chairman of the US House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment.

Faleomavaega's colleagues elected him by unanimous consent.

He says he's looking forward to bringing a Pacific perspective to US foreign policy affecting this part of the world, and to working closely with the Obama Administration and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

And Guam Congresswoman, Madeleine Bordallo, will chair the newly merged U.S. House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife.

The subcommittee has jurisdiction over legislation governing the Nation's U.S. Territories and Compacts of Free Association, as well as issues relating to fisheries management, wildlife resources, coastal barrier protection and coastal zone management, and marine sanctuaries, among other areas.