Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa is taking part in a new U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) engagement, as mandated by a federal law, and acting governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale has designated certain cabinet directors and members of the Territorial Emergency Communication Council to work on this engagement.

The Governor’s Office was informed by GAO through a June 12 letter of this new engagement. And a “preliminary entrance call” with American Samoa representatives and GAO is set for today, Aug. 04.

Talauega informed cabinet members, through an Aug. 02 memorandum, that GAO, in response to a congressional mandate under the William M. ("Mac") Thomberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, is reviewing expansion of the federal AMBER Alert Program.

He explained that these efforts will review implementation of amendments made by the National Defense Authorization Act to the PROTECT Act including: US Justice Department (USDOJ) efforts to eliminate AMBER gaps at airports, maritime ports, border crossing areas and checkpoints, and ports of exit from the United States.

It will also include expansion of grants including notification systems at airports, maritime ports, border crossing areas, checkpoints, and ports of exit; USDOJ grants to U.S. territories; and USDOJ efforts to incorporate and coordinate with territories regarding AMBER Alerts and standards.

The review will also include challenges related to integrating U.S territories into the AMBER Alert system.

“GAO must review readiness, educational, technological, and training needs of agencies responding to cases involving missing, abducted, or exploited children,” Talauega further explained.

Samoa News notes that the Territorial Emergency Communication Council — mentioned by Talauega — includes local broadcast stations, i.e: TV, cable TV and radio stations.

Meanwhile, one of the GAO engagements involving American Samoa is how U.S. territorial experiences could inform future federal relief, and this was launched last year.  GAO completed its draft-report and has requested comments from the Lemanu Administration.

“The GAO plays a vital role in ensuring transparency and accountability in government operations, and we must respond to their findings with diligence and accuracy,” said Talauega, in a separate Aug. 02 memo to cabinet members.

Talauega requested prompt attention and support of all directors who were involved in the COVID-19 prevention, response, and relief operations and the administering of federal COVID-19 funds to review draft report thoroughly and provide comments on three issues. For example, provide any additional comments in the draft report on "WHAT WORKED" — i.e. leveraging pre-existing programs, technical assistance, funding flexibilities, immediately available funding versus reimbursement.

Directors were told to provide their comments to the Governor’s Office no later than Aug. 17, which will allow ample time for review by the Governor and Talauega prior to submission to the GAO.      

“Your insights will assist in the preparation of the Governor's comments and be beneficial to not only American Samoa but all US Territories in the event of future disasters,” said Talauega.

BACKGROUND

What is the AMBER Alert system and how does it work?  According to the official government AMBER alert website, once law enforcement has determined that a child has been abducted and the abduction meets AMBER Alert criteria, law enforcement notifies broadcasters and state transportation officials. AMBER Alerts interrupt regular programming and are broadcast on radio and television and DOT highway signs.