Delegates to the 2022 Constitutional Convention gather at the Lee Auditorium, this morning, for the 6th review of American Samoa’s Constitution.
Registration of selected delegates representing the 15 districts of Tutuila, Aunuu, Manu’a and Swains begins at 7am.
The official opening begins at 9 with Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs Tauese Vaa Sunia, also the vice chair of the Constitutional Review Committee welcoming delegates and invited guests.
Police will present the colors, followed by the singing of the national anthems by staffers of the Governor’s Office.
The Vice Chairman of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa, Rev. Elder FaaeteEte Saifoloi, will give the opening prayer.
After the proclamation convening, the Concon is recited in English and Samoan, rules for the convention will be adopted and a chairman, vice chairman and secretary will be elected by the delegates.
The two speakers for the opening ceremony are Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular and International Affairs, Carmen Cantor.
Following the speeches, delegates and guests will move across the road to the Tufele Li’amatua guesthouse for an ava ceremony.
At the end of the ceremony there will be a photo shoot and the delegates will then call it a day, while the Constitutional Review Twill meet with officers.
The discussions and debate on the 8 proposed amendments approved by the constitutional Review Committee will begin tomorrow.
Delegates will receive stipends for the five days of the ConCon and though we could not find out the amounts, we have been told that delegates have to be present in order to receive their stipends.
The constitutional review ends on Friday.
