Washington, D.C. — Uifa’atali Amata spoke Thursday at a U.S. Capitol event urging for more complete Veterans services for Veterans who served from the territories or freely associated states. The event was organized by Puerto Rico Veterans and specifically highlighted their interest in statehood for Puerto Rico.

 “Much like Puerto Rico, I represent a constituency in American Samoa that includes many veterans and military families, and I know they have hearts full of patriotism for the United States,” said Congresswoman Amata. “The nation makes a lifelong commitment to those who serve, and they all deserve to fully share in that national commitment. Thank you especially to Congresswoman González-Colón for making sure these issues cannot be forgotten.”

Members of Congress Jenniffer González Colón (R-PR), Aumua Amata Radewagen (R- American Samoa), Darren Soto (D-FL), Mike Waltz (R-FL), and Rubén Gallego (D-FL) accompanied the nearly 30 veterans led by retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Víctor Pérez at a press conference in front of the federal Capitol. They reported on the meetings with members of Congress from both national political parties, particularly members of the Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Natural Resources committees. They put a focus on inequalities in rights, representation, access to health services and benefits.

CONGRESSWOMAN AMATA’S REMARKS

“Talofa lava,

I’m delighted to say a few words in support of the veterans of Puerto Rico, and my good friend Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón.

We both are blessed to represent beautiful island places. She represents the nation’s largest island territory, while I represent a much smaller island territory – but we have one thing very much in common: our Veterans.

We both are proud to represent districts with a high rate of military service, so we have a great many veterans, and military families, and know they have hearts full of patriotism for the United States.

The nation makes a commitment to those who serve. These veterans must share fully in that national commitment.

We also both value self-determination for our people – for Puerto Rico, that means self-determination of a statehood choice, and all that could mean for these veterans. You have my complete support. For American Samoa, our self-determination looks different, letting us prize aspects of our ancient culture that we won’t give up.

But whether our veterans are from the South Pacific or the Caribbean or anywhere in between, they answered the call to serve in our all-volunteer forces. As a matter of honor, the nation takes on a lifelong responsibility to each one – an obligation that must extend in full to Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and other territories and freely associated states that send sons and daughters to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

To these Veterans, thank you for serving; and thank you Congresswoman González-Colón.”