Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Administration’s nominations of Fa’amasino Upuese Galoia as director of the American Samoa Search and Rescue Agency, and Tauanu’u Semu Faisiota Tauanu’u as director of the American Samoa Corrections Agency were introduced in the Senate last Friday and assigned to the appropriate committees for confirmation hearings.

Galoia and Taunu’u have been seen serving as acting directors for the two new ASG departments, after the agencies were first established by the Governor’s separate executive orders that were effective July 01 last year and later created by law.

Acting governor Talauega E.V. Ale submitted last week the names of two director-nominees — who are both military retirees —  to the Fono leaders. And he urged the Fono to confirm the two nominees.

According to the acting governor, Galoia has years of military service that highlight his skills in leadership, critical and analytical thinking, and problem-solving.

Galoia “has been and continues to be entrusted with equipment valued at millions of dollars as well as professional development and safety of hundreds of people — our most valuable resource,” said Talauega.

Additionally, Galoia’s background experience makes him an ideal leader for the Search and Rescue Agency, the acting governor said.

For Taunu’u, the acting governor said the nominee has years of military service, which includes experience with safety, security, and intelligence.

His civilian career includes airport security and property management for the local House of Representatives. And his background and experience makes him an ideal leader for the corrections agency.

Included with the nomination letters to the Fono leaders are resumes and other information for the two nominees.

Confirmation hearings for both nominees are scheduled in the Senate for Jan 23. And names of the two director-nominees are expected to be introduced in the House this week.

As previously reported by Samoa News, the Search and Rescue Agency combines the fire bureau, emergency medical service, and marine patrol services. For the Correctional Agency, it includes the Territorial Correctional Facility and the Juvenile Detention Center.

Port Administration

Department director-nominee, Falenaoti Loi-On Fruean was at the Senate chambers for her confirmation hearing last Friday morning before the Senate Port and Airport Committee.

She was unanimously confirmed in a 17-0 vote.

During the 15-minute confirmation hearing, senators who spoke, all praised the director-nominee, who has been acting director since late last year, following the sudden passing of Christopher King.

Sen. Magalei Logovi’i, the first to speak at the start of the hearing, shared with the committee, that he has known the director-nominee for many years during his time working in government.

And that Loi-On Fruean has worked her way up through the ranks including deputy director, acting director, and now nominated by the governor to the directorship post, said Magalei.

The Tualauta senator describes the director-nominee as a person, whose “action speaks louder then words.”

According to the governor’s nomination letter to Fono leaders, Loi-On Fruean has served as deputy director of Port Administration since January 2020 and has held various positions in Port Administration since January 1994.

Several Port Administration staff were in the Senate gallery during the confirmation hearing to support their boss.