Concern over health of American Samoa congressman

Transcript

An American Samoa senator is calling for discussion on the health status of the territory's representative in the US congress.

The congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin has been unwell since October last year but his office has not released any details of his illness.  

Senator Galea'i Tu'ufuli says Faleomavaega has been missing from two recent hearings of the subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

Bridget Tunnicliffe asked Senator Tu'ufuli if he knows the whereabouts of the Congressman.

GALEA'I TU'IFULI: The last time we heard from congressman Faleomavaega was about two or three weeks ago when they sent a letter to the Fono and members of the government that he has returned to Washington from where he was. And then two weeks later we receive a communication from Washington, I think it's the Pacific Asia sub-committee that he is a senior member of, that he was absent from two of the most important meetings, which may have some issues about American Samoa. Now the concern was raised because we had never received any word of his whereabouts when he was recuperating and rehabilitating, so we heard. We don't even know the type of illness that he has. And as such I raised the issue on the senate floor, about when I heard from Washington regarding the congressman Faleomavaega's absence from those meetings.

BRIDGET TUNNICLIFFE: What impact does that have on American Samoa's representation in Washington?

GT: Well, that's what is concerning. And I have, and the members of the senate, have now concerned themselves what is being represented at congress during his absence. And nobody really has said anything to us from his office either in Washington or local office as to his whereabouts, or the cause of his illness.

BT: Do you think if a congressman is suffering from an illness that is affecting his ability to attend important meetings like this, that maybe that person should consider standing down?

GT: I hate to speculate, but I've heard that he has some type of sickness that disables him from physically moving around.

BT: When is his term as congressman due to end?

GT: It ends at the end of this year.

BT: What options are there, hypothetically if he decided it was too much to carry on, what would then happen to find a replacement?

GT: Well, I think the law is that if he is unable to carry out his responsibilities then our local officials, the governor has that pleasure to appoint somebody to finish out his term and prepare for the election in November.

BT: And you think at the very least his office in American Samoa and Washington should be more forthcoming about any impacts of illness and whether he is able to turn up to these various meetings?

GT: Well absolutely. I think that obviously Washington should be very forthcoming and at least explain or inform our leaders here in American Samoa as to the reason or whatever sickness he has so that we can prepare ourselves  with the question when our constituents are asking the question where he is at.

Faleomavaega's office in American Samoa says the congressman is in Washington but did not want to comment on his health.