3 Mar 2009

American Samoa paramount chief and senator dies

11:37 am on 3 March 2009

In American Samoa, paramount chief and senator, Tuitele Tony Tuitele, has died.

He collapsed and died at his guesthouse in Leone last night.

Tuitele, who is regarded as the highest chief of the Western District of Tutuila island, was serving his second term as senator of Fofo District in the American Samoa Legislature.

Tuitele was a former director of Port Administration and deputy Chief Procurement Officer.

He was also a former Manager of the government's Industrial Park, an Executive Director of Goodwill Industries a non profit organization which employs people with special needs, and a former General Manager of Pacific Products company.