A leader who has served in all three branches of government and whose public service spans five decades has been unanimously elected as the President of the American Samoa Legislature.
He is Tuaolo Manaia Fruean of Pago Pago.
Tuaolo is in his 3rd term as senator of Ma’uputasi.
He was a member of the House of Representatives for several years, was an Associate Judge of the high Court, was Chief Election Officer and Commissioner of Public Safety.
All 18 senators present at the swearing in of the 37th Legislature yesterday were unanimous in their support of Tuaolo.
He was nominated by Manu’a Senator Malaepule Lua Moliga and seconded by Fofo Senator Faiivae Alex Godinet.
Senator Tuiagamoa Tavai proposed however that first consideration for the Senate leadership be given to a paramount chief, noting that Satele Galu Satele was the only Senator of that rank among them.
He said when his district made the decision to return him to the Senate this was one of their requests.
Senator Satele thanked him for the honor but politely declined saying that the Senate President should be a person who is light on their feet and can move to do the necessary work. He endorsed Tuaolo for Senate President.
Leo’o Vaa Ma’o was re-elected as Secretary of the Asante and Vaifale was re-elected as Sgt at Arms.
Alataua faipule Savali Talavou Ale gets another term as Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was unanimously elected 19-0. 
Savali was nominated by Rep Faimealei Anthony Allen and seconded by Rep Lavea Fatulegae’e Mauga.
There were no other nominations.
Savali holds the record as the longest serving lawmaker of American Samoa, having won every House election for Alataua for more than 40 consecutive years. He has also been Speaker longer than any other in the history of the Fono.
20 of the 21 members of the House were sworn in yesterday. Ituau faipule Logoituau Mark Atafua is among those stranded off island due to the Covid pandemic.
Vaiaitu Mulinuu Filo Maluia was re-elected as Chief Clerk of the House and the Sgt at Arms was also re-elected.
The House immediately went into a special session as called by Governor Lemanu after the swearing in and election of officers.
A continuing resolution to fund the American Samoa Government up to March 6 was approved and sent to the Senate.
But by then Senators had dispersed to a luncheon hosted by the new Senate President at DDW.
