Fono Honors Former Lawmaker, Treasurer, Budget Director

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The American Samoa Fono approved last week a resolution which honors former House Representative, former Treasurer, and former Budget Director Ace Agaese Tago.

The resolution, sponsored by the two House Representatives of Ituau, Sataua Dr. Mataese Samuelu and Manumaua Wayne Wilson, pays tribute to a son of the territory, sent to further his education off island, then returned home to help lay the foundation in the formative years of the locally elected government of American Samoa.

Tago was one of the first Samoan professionals to be hired by then Governor John Hayden in 1969 under a program to entice Samoans from the mainland to return home and work.

He was a staff accountant for the government in 1969,  and worked his way up to be a comptroller for Treasury.

He left the executive branch in 1976 to be the House representative for his District of Ituau.

After serving one term he returned to ASG to be Director of the Budget and Management Office.

He was awarded a scholarship to obtain a Masters degree in Public Administration at Harvard University,  and upon his return home he became treasurer.

After leaving American Samoa , he joined Commercial Design Corporation in San Francisco, then became Budget Director for the Youth Guidance Center in san Francisco.

He later became Comptroller for the City of Oakland,  a position he held until he retired in 2009.

The resolution also mentions Tago’s love for golf .

He served as president of the American Samoa Junior Golfers Association for six years,  and was one of the founders of the American Samoa International Open Golf Tournament.

In business, Tago was one of the partners in the McDonald’s Corporation of American Samoa with his good friend, Charlie Tautolo.

Tago passed away on August 8, in San Mateo, California at the age of 78,.

The resolution says, “Ace Agaese Tago dedicated his life to serving others and despite his being retired, he continued to find ways to serve American Samoa.

“He was a strong quiet leader who got things done by mentoring and motivating others.

“Ace lived his work ethics and passed down that trait to his children and grandchildren,  Ace was ruly a blessing to American Samoa.

“We have lost one of our best and brightest and he shall be missed.”

A copy of the resolution was presented to Tago’s widow, Dr. Catherine Jamentz-Tago at his funeral services last weekend.

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