Tauese Sunia

Tauese Sunia

Tauese Tuailemafua Pita Fiti Sunia (born August 29, 1941 in Fagatogo , American Samoa , †  March 26, 2003 on the way to Hawaii ) was an American politician . Between 1997 and 2003 he was governor of American Samoa.

Career

Tauese Sunia studied history and political science at Kearney State Teacher's College in Nebraska . He then studied education at the University of Hawai'i . In the following years he worked as a teacher in the school service in his home country. He also taught with the help of television. Sunia was the chief administrative officer of the American Samoa Community College and the assistant secretary of education of American Samoa. He also studied law and practiced in his homeland. In 1991 and 1992 he was chairman of the local bar association. Politically, he became a member of the Democratic Party . From 1993 to 1997 he served as Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa.

In 1996, Tauese Sunia was elected to succeed AP Lutali as the new governor of American Samoa. He held this office between January 3, 1997 and his death on March 26, 2003. He campaigned for a further improvement in the education system and, among other things, called for Internet access in schools for all pupils to improve learning opportunities. In addition, the educational standards were raised. Sunia also promoted healthcare. He also campaigned for the improvement of the infrastructure and especially for the expansion of the roads.

Tauese Sunia has also been a deacon of the Congregational Church in American Samoa since 1971 . Since 1996 he has served as their church council for the entire United States and New Zealand . He died on a flight to Hawaii, where he was going for medical treatment. His younger brother Faoa was also Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa from 2003 to 2013 and ran for governor in 2013 without success.

Web links

• Sunia in the National Governors Association