Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate in their regular session last Friday passed in third reading a Senate Concurrent Resolution “conveying the deepest condolences of the Legislature on behalf of the people of American Samoa to Mrs. Christine Tialavea Morris Tilo and the bereaved Tilo Family on the passing of former Senator High Chief Vasaga Tilo, Sr., and pays tribute to his honorable and extensive service to his church, family, district, the United States Army, and the Territory of American Samoa.

It went on to state that “HC Tilo Vasaga, Sr. was born on July 6, 1943 to Tilo Uta’ifeau Eliga Kalepo Tilo and Faasilitama’ita’i Mulimuliinu’u Faoa Maui’a Aumoeualogo in American Samoa.

“Soon after his birth, Vasaga’s father moved the family to Hawaii and they resided in Laie. Vasaga was baptized and sealed to his parents at the Latter Day Saints Stake Center in Hawaii. Vasaga had 22 siblings.

Vasaga grew up and began his formal education in Hawaii and after graduation joined the work force of Hawaii. By 1964, Vasaga had joined the Army Guard. The following year, Vasaga moved to Texas to attend the newly established Central Texas College. While at college, Vasaga decided to relocate to his parents’ homeland, American Samoa.

Upon arrival, he was hired as an Immigration Officer for the Department of Legal Affairs. It was in American Samoa that he volunteered for military service in Vietnam.

Vasaga felt a strong patriotism for the United States and joined the United States Army in 1967. He was on active duty during the entire Vietnam War until it ended in 1972, but remained committed to the military and served for 25 years.

“He retired in 1991 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer III and a combat veteran of the Vietnam War. He then returned to American Samoa. His priority was to continue his service to his Tilo family, which had begun years past; but this time in person.

“He undertook the chief title of ‘Tulafia’. Tulafia resumed his service to the American Samoa Government. He was appointed as Deputy Director of the Department of Education’s JROTC program. During his tenure with the DOE, Tulafia was bestowed the High Chief title of Tilo of Aua. In 2015, after 25 years of service to the ASG, High Chief Tilo retired from the American Samoa Government.”

His service however continued in retirement, where he was chosen to fill the District #6 Senate seat in the Legislature of American Samoa. He was sworn in as Senator in January 2016 as a member of the 36th Legislature.

Tilo headed the Senate Economic Development/ Ways and Means Committee, and he was an active member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, the Senate Budget and Human Resources Committee, the Senate Parks and Recreation Committee, the Senate Retirement Committee, the Senate Hospital and Public Health Committee, the Senate Transportation- Port/ Airport Committee, and the Senate Human and Social Services Committee.

He served one term and fully retired after completion of his senatorial term,

Tilo leaves four children, eleven grandchildren, and a great granddaughter.

He was a member of the Aua 1st Ward Pago Samoa Stake of the Latter Day Saints Church. He was of the Melchizedic priesthood, a 2nd Counselor to the Bishop and the High Priest Quorum.

“On December 3, 2023, High Chief Tilo Vasaga Tilo, Sr. passed away peacefully in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“He had been blessed to have celebrated his 80th Birthday four months prior.”

In conclusion, the Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean or his authorized representative will present the Senate Concurrent Resolution to Mrs. Christine Tilo at an appropriate ceremony.