Washington, D.C. -- FALEOMAVAEGA WILL NOT REMAIN SILENT ABOUT SAMOAN FISH CLEANERS

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he will not remain silent about things that matter. He will continue to speak up and defend Samoan fish cleaners despite the personal attacks being launched against him by Mr. John Newton.

“Recently, Samoa News published offensive remarks made by Mr. Newton which disparaged and demeaned our Samoan fish cleaners for the work they do,” Faleomavaega said. “When I came to the defense of our Samoan workers, Mr. Newton accused me of being a racist. But I do not think it is racist to stand up for Samoans. I do not think it is racist to defend our fish cleaners.”

Well, Mr. Congressman, you have certainly outdone yourself this time. I am pleased that you came out and responded to my commentary but rather dismayed that you took so much of the taxpayers’ time to attack me. The only thing I ask is that you go back and reread my editorial so that you can respond more accurately. Either that or accept my statement that you are a master at obfuscation.

I am disappointed you would turn my commentary into an argument about fish cleaners and imply they do demeaning work. What I am criticizing is the system that has allowed us to rely on their toil for so many years. And, Mr. Congressman, you are right at the pinnacle of those who have thrived on the plight of those disadvantaged people.

Eni, do you realize that your support of the so called ASPIRE bill is tantamount to the 1950s attitudes of Van Camp as you describe in your testimony? You too are, in essence, saying that your people are incapable of doing anything beyond cleaning fish. You want to preserve the fish cleaning jobs at the expense of the younger generation that might find much better opportunities if you were capable of thinking outside the fish box.

Nowhere in your testimony, or the testimony of any other participant in the hearings on ASPIRE, is there any reference to improving the rights and conditions of the common worker in American Samoa. Even after more than 50 years, the attitude remains that of keeping wages low at the total exclusion of improving the lives of our young people.

It’s all about profits and advantages for the fleets and canneries. Those big businesses as well as the support businesses in American Samoa all derive their economic opportunities at the expense of the common worker.