Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The confirmation hearing for the Acting Director of the Department of Human Resources (DHR) Lynn Pulou-Alaimalo is now scheduled for Monday, Feb. 22 at 8:00a.m and the chair of the House Government Operations Committee, Rep. Faimealelei Anthony Fu’e Allen has requested more documents from the governor’s appointee to support her resume, which is now before the committee.

It was during yesterday’s House Session when Faimealelei informed faipule about the hearing and explained why the resolution for the nominee’s confirmation has been before the committee for over three weeks since it was first introduced.

Faimealelei directed faipule to the nominee’s resume, which clearly stated her many years of military service, as outlined in her resume, as well as a law degree from Concord Law School and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Faimealelei requested the nominee to provide the “DD214” form so that the committee could get a clear understanding about her background while serving in the military.

A DD Form 214 is a document of the United States Department of Defense, issued upon a military service member’s retirement, separation, or discharge from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, e.g., U.S.Army.

He pointed out that the nominee’s resume states that between 2000- 2009, she was in the US Army on active duty at Fort Carson, Colorado.

It also stated on the nominee’s resume that on the same time period from 2000- 2009, she was on active duty in the US Army at Fort Drum, New York.

Faimealelei told Samoa News that the committee needs to be clear on what information is accurate before they make their decision.

BACKGROUND

Several faipule raised their concerns about why the House has delayed the confirmation hearing for the nominee, Pulou-Alaimalo.

Vaifanuatele Rep. Lavea Fatulegaee P. Mauga said that the resolution for the appointment of the DHR acting director arrived in the House chamber two weeks ago but no confirmation has been scheduled. However, the resolution for the appointment of the acting director for the Office of Protection and Advocacy for the Disabled (OPAD) was just introduced and his confirmation hearing is now scheduled for this week by the House Government Operations Committee.

Acting HR director Pulou Alaimalo was approved by the Senate last month with a vote of 12-6.

Several faipule told Samoa News that the delay in the DHR director’s confirmation hearing is based on the many complaints of harassment and intimidation voiced by employees in that department.

An anonymous letter circulated in the Fono before Pulou-Alaimalo appeared before the Senate for her confirmation hearing two weeks ago. The letter-writers only identified themselves by signing it “ASG Career Service affected by the current administration’s political move.”