14 Mar 2009

Tributes paid to late American Samoa senator Tuitele

11:42 am on 14 March 2009

The two-day funeral service of the late American Samoa senator, Paramount Chief Tuitele Tony Tuitele gets underway this morning in Pago Pago at the Legislature building.

Lawmakers will pay tribute to their colleague at a state funeral that is expected to last two hours, before Tuitele's remains is taken to his home village of Leone, where traditional funeral service will be carried out.

Tuitele will be laid to rest late tomorrow afternoon.

Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin says Senator Tuitele was best known for his soft spoken manner, his intelligence and contemporary knowledge of local and national affairs.

Also attending today's state funeral is Governor Togiola Tulafono as well as traditional and political leaders.