Tuanaitau F. Tuia

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Tuanaitau Fa'atamala Tuia (c. 1920 – January 22, 2010) was an American Samoan politician and the longest-serving member of the American Samoan territorial legislature, the Fono, in history.[1] Tuia served a combined 49 years in the Fono, including thirty years in the American Samoa House of Representatives[2] and seventeen years in the Senate.[1]

Tuia was heavily involved in all major political changes and debates in American Samoa between 1961 and 2010.[2] He was in office more than a decade before the current American Samoa Fono building, completed in 1973, was constructed.[3] Following Tuia's death in 2010, the longest-serving member of the Fono is currently House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale.[4]

Biography[]

Personal life[]

Tuia was from the village of Pava'ia'i.[4] He was widely known by the name "Tua." Tuia married his wife, Betty, in Hawaii in 1946.[2] The couple, who had six children, remained together until his wife's death in 2005.[2]

Tuia served as a in his village.[4] He worked as a legal practitioner, specializing in cases relating to titles and land.[4] He was also a businessman within American Samoa's construction industry in addition to his political career.[2]

American Samoa House of Representatives[]

Tuia's career in politics began in the November 1960 legislative election,[4] when he was elected to the American Samoa House of Representatives representing Tualauta County in Western District.[1][4] At the time of his election to the House, Tuia's matai name, meaning family or chiefly title, was Muagututi’a.[2]

Tuia, though virtually unknown in political circles,[2] was elected as the Speaker of the House in 1961, on his first day in office as an elected representative.[4] His election as Speaker surprised many observers, as Tuia, a political newcomer and first-term representative, knew few people outside Tualauta County.[4] The book, Fono Jubilee, which was published in 1998 and edited by Senator , described the surprise at Tuia's selection as Speaker, "Few people ever heard of him which is why his election as Speaker came as a shock."[2] Tuia later served as Speaker on during several legislative sessions from 1967 to 1968; 1978–1984; and 1987–1992.[2]

Tuia spent 30 years in the American Samoa House of Representatives, including 18 years as the Speaker of the House.[2] He chose not to seek re-election in 1992 to pursue a successful campaign for the American Samoan Senate.

American Samoa Senate[]

He was elected to the American Samoa Senate for Tualauta County in 1992.[1][4] His first term as Senator began in 1993[2] and he remained in that office until his death in 2010.[1]

Tuia was taken to Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center and placed in the intensive-care unit on January 21, 2010. He died at the hospital in Faga'alu on January 22, 2010, at the age of 89.[1] He was survived by six children; grandchildren, including current Rep. ;[2] and great-grandchildren.[1]

A state funeral for Tuia was held at the Fono Guest Fale. Dignitaries in attendance included Governor Togiola Tulafono, House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, Senate President , Chief Justice Michael Kruse, as well as traditional American Samoan leaders.[4]

Tuia's funeral was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his home village of .[4] He was buried at his home in Pavaiai.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "American Samoa's longest serving legislator dies". Radio New Zealand International. January 22, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Sagapolutele, Fili (January 23, 2010). "Territory's longest serving legislator, Senator Tuanaitau Tuia, passes away at 89". Samoa News. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
  3. ^ Executive Offices of the Governor American Samoa Government
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Sagapolutele, Fili (January 26, 2010). "Territorial leaders bid farewell to Tuana'itau". Samoa News. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
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