May 22, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1029 It's time for a national holiday to honor one the Interior. He became the first Samoan to and in the region. I know of our women of achievement. my knowledge to receive a law degree from a that everyone who ever had the privilege of f major U.S. university. After that, he returned to working with him had tremendous respect for American Samoa, where he became the first his common sense, his intelligence, and his A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE LATE Samoan to serve as public defender and later decency. GOVERNOR PETER TALI COLE- became attorney general. MAN OF AMERICAN SAMOA In 1956, he was appointed Governor of His generosity of spirit was well-known. He American Samoa by President Eisenhower, was a role model and a mentor to many HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA one of the first Pacific Islanders to serve as young people, myself included. As he gained political stature, he helped younger aspiring OF AMERICAN SAMOA governor in the Pacific. he held that position until 1961. leadersÐhe opened up windows of oppor- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES During those years he chaired the Conven- tunity and it is as a mentor that many of us Thursday, May 22, 1997 tion which drafted American Samoa's Con- will remember him best. From the ``teaching Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise stitution and his administration laid the founda- stories'' he shared to the examples of achieve- to honor the memory of a distinguished Pacific tion for what has later become known as the ment which his own life offered, he inspired leader, the late Uifa'atali Peter Coleman, American Samoa Government. To properly many of us to consider public service. As my former Governor of American Samoa, who understand his achievements, Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleague from Guam, Con- passed away last month after a long battle we must remember that at that time he had gressman ROBERT UNDERWOOD, has said, ``He with cancer. A dedicated public servant with limited resources and hardly any staff to speak accurately saw himself as a developer of in- more than 50 years of public service, Gov- ofÐi.e., there were no younger, educated digenous governments, bringing Pacific island- ernor Coleman was our first American Sa- American to fill the positions in gov- ers to full recognition of their right to self-gov- ernment. All that came later. moan statesman, a Pacific American with a ernment and their capacity to implement the From 1961 until 1965, Governor Coleman truly regional vision. It is that vision for which same.'' served as Administrator of what is now the he will always be remembered by our people. Republic of the . So great was His regional stature was widely acknowl- He was someone important for whom I had the regard in which he was held that he be- edged, Mr. Speaker. In 1970 he was granted tremendous respect. Governor Coleman was came, by special act of the Nitijela (the an honorary degree by the University of always cordial and courteous to me and al- Marshallese Parliament) the first U.S. citizen ways extended the hand of friendship. Al- Guam, who cited him as a ``Man of the Pa- ever accorded an honorary Marshall Islands though we disagreed on certain issues, we cific.'' In 1978, he received an honorary doc- citizenship. agreed on many others, and among them the torate from Chaminade College in , Pa- During his subsequent 17 years in the cific Magazine called him, ``a man who is importance of a strong American presence in northern Pacific, Governor Coleman served as the Pacific region. probably on a first name basis with everybody Deputy High Commissioner of the U.S. Trust from the heart of the Pacific islands to their I learned from him how to handle the stress Territory of the Pacific Islands and, subse- most distant corners.'' of political life, how to take the storms in stride quently, as Acting High Commissioner, which and never make a disagreement into a per- position he held until 1977. His performance This stature as a regional leader led to a sonal matter. He was the kind of individual of firmly established him as a regional states- number of special assignments. He was a whom political opponents like former Governor man. member of numerous U.S. delegations to trea- A.P. Lutali could say, ``Uifa'atali and I may When American Samoa held its first guber- ty negotiations, observances and regional con- have been adversaries in politics, but in life natorial election in 1977, he ran for office and ferences, among them the U.S. delegation we were always friends.'' became the first elected Governor, a position which negotiated the 1981 Treaties of Friend- Mr. Speaker, Governor Coleman exemplified which he held three times. During his elected ship with Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tokelau and the all the traits of a true Samoan leader. He was years in office, he continued to forge close ties Cook Islands, the second Pacific Islands Con- a soldier and a warrior, a pioneer and a man between the territory government and Wash- ference of Leaders in Rarotonga in 1985, the of vision, a statesman and a man of wisdom. ington DC and with Federal and State agen- Pacific Democrat Union Conference in Fiji in He possessed that quality which Samoans cies and institutions. He was responsible for 1987, the centenary observance of the U.S. value most in our leaders, that of tofa mamao, American Samoa's membership in both the Tonga Treaty of Friendship in 1988, and the which denotes a leader with a sense of vision National Governors Association and the Re- or understanding and anticipating future American Samoa delegation to the Wellington gional Western Governors Association. In Conference which banned driftnet fishing in events. Above all, Governor Coleman was a 1980 he became the first territorial Governor the South Pacific in 1989. humble person who thought less of how he to serve as chairman of the Western Gov- would be remembered in the future than of ernors Conference. He was elected a member In the words of his longtime political rival, what he could accomplish today. of the executive committee of the NGA in former Governor A.P. Lutali, ``I am proud that Uifaatali Peter Coleman was born on De- 1990. my friend Uifa'atali earned a place in history cember 8, 1919, in , American As a regional leader, Mr. Speaker, Governor for his devotion and service to our people and Samoa. He received his elementary school Coleman's record is equally distinguished. He the peoples of the Pacific.'' Whether we re- education in and graduated from St. co-founded the Pacific Basin Development member the dedicated public servant, the Louis High School in , where he Council in 1980 and was its first elected Presi- leader, the regional statesman, the role model joined the National Guard and enlisted in the dent in 1982. In 1982 he hosted and chaired for Pacific youth, the good friend whose per- U.S. Army at the beginning of World War II. the South Pacific Commission's annual con- sonal warmth was always evidentÐor any of Assigned to the Pacific theater, he was sta- ference in Pago Pago, American Samoa. At a his other remarkable aspects, we all mourn his tioned in the , and special SPC meeting in 1983 and later in a loss. Hawaii. By the end of the war, he had risen conference in Saipan, he argued Strenuously What stands out in my mind is Governor to the rank of captain. In 1982, for his military for equal membership in SPC for Pacific terri- service, he was inducted into the U.S. Army tories. This he ultimately was successful in ob- Coleman's regional stature. Here was a man, Officers' Candidate School Hall of Fame in taining for the territories. a Pacific islander, who saw beyond the shores Fort Benning, GA. He was two times a member of the standing of his own islandÐa man who clearly saw the After the war, Governor Coleman enrolled in committee of the Pacific Islands Conference of link between the welfare of American Samoan Georgetown University, and in 1949 he re- Leaders. He was on the founding board of the and the welfare of other Pacific islanders. He ceived a bachelor of science degree in eco- Pan-Pacific Alliance for Trade and Develop- fought for a responsible U.S. presence in the nomics from that institution. While in college ment and a founding member of the Offshore region, he cofounded, encouraged, and nur- he worked as a staff secretary to a Member of Governor's Forum, which he chaired from tured regional organizations and he inspired a Congress, became a member of the U.S. Cap- 1992 to 1993. whole generation of young Pacific islanders to itol Police Force and in what was then the Of- Governor Coleman was loved and re- strive to better themselves by following his ex- fice of Territories at the U.S. Department of spected by the people he servedÐboth in ample and his vision. E1030 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 22, 1997 Mr. Speaker, I recently attended the funeral ment and the emerging Western Pacific na- ered us because we didn’t know what that services which were held for Governor Cole- tions as they gained independence. He found- meant and didn’t care anyway. man in Honolulu, HI. I am very glad to also ed PTC Inc., a government relations firm To Dad, as long as the family’s safety and specializing in Pacific island matters, was note that our Governor Tauese P. Sunia and health were not being compromised, the the Republican national committeeman from label was of no consequence and the con- his lovely wife, Faga, were in attendance at American Samoa, and an attorney. demned house he viewed as a minor, tem- the services. Additionally, the President of the Coleman, 77 died yesterday (Monday) at his porary inconvenience that was not worth Senate, High Chief Lutu Tenari Fuimaono and Honolulu home after a two-year struggle complaining about. his wife Sinira, the Speaker of the House, with cancer. The house, for now, served our purposes. High Chief Mailo Sao Nua, the Commissioner ‘‘He was early recognized as a leader and He adapted and taught us to do the same. of Public Safety, High Chief Te'o Fuavai, plus will be remembered as one of the forerunners Don’t get hung up on the minor things. He a special honor guard from the Department of in the Pacific among native-born leaders never lost focus of his larger destiny. who helped their nations chart their own Public Safety in American Samoa were Things that would bother many of us never destinies,’’ said Hawaiian Governor Ben seemed to bother him. He handled criticism present. Cayetano. the same way. Those who knew him well can In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer ‘‘His contribution will be long and recalled attest to that. He reserved his energies for my condolences to Governor Coleman's wife, with respect and affection.’’ life’s larger problems. Nora, and his children and grandchildren. I am Governor Tauese P.F. Sunia of American Only he knew that, very soon thereafter, sure that the proud legacy which he left them Samoa ordered the and Amer- he would occupy the best house on the is- will live on in their hearts and in the hearts of ican Samoa flags to be flown at half-staff for land, the governor’s mansion. Occupying the 30 days in Coleman’s home islands. Sunia governor’s house itself was not the goal. He all the people of the Pacific. will attend services in Honolulu next week, Mr. Speaker, I recently attended the funeral aspired to lead his people and never lost according to his Chief of Staff. focus of that objective. services which were held for Governor Cole- ‘‘There is no question of Peter Coleman’s Dad practiced law during these early days man in Hawaii. I am very glad to note that our place in history, not only in American and his clients would often instead of cash Governor Tauese P. Sunia and his lovely wife Samoa, but throughout the Pacific,’’ said pay him with live chickens and pigs. The Faga were in attendance at the services. Addi- Sunia in a message to the Coleman family ‘‘I house was the perfect place in which to learn tionally, the President of the Senate, High am proud to say I knew him, that I worked and develop responsibility to raise and care Chief Lutu Tenari Fuimaono and his wife for and with him, and that I witnessed the for them. progress and change he brought to American Sinira, the Speaker of the House, High Chief Of course some of these animals soon be- Samoa.’’ came pets. We had a pet pig named Porky Mailo Sao Nua. Kitty Simonds, Executive director of the that we let into the house all the time, and In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer Western Pacific Regional Fisheries Manage- Grandma Amata would get angry and chase ment said: ‘‘He really knew the heart of the my condolences to Governor Coleman's dear the pig out with a broom. On school days Pacific people.’’ She recalled Coleman’s ef- wife Nora and his children. I am sure that the Porky would always greet us when we got fort to affirm native islanders’ fishing rights, proud legacy which he left them will live on in home. One day Porky didn’t meet us. We a move not popular with the American fish- their hearts and in the hearts of all the peo- combed the entire area around the house and ing industry or the tuna packing firms in the mountainside. We couldn’t find him. ples of the Pacific. Pago Pago. Dad had now become Attorney General and City Councilman Mufi Hannerman said: PROCLAMATION we kids had become so upset and distraught ‘‘He was definitely a role model for many Pursuant to the authority vested in the that Dad called the police force to help look Samoans. Through his example, he embodied Governor of American Samoa, under the flag for our pig. We never found Porky. We knew the best ideals and value of a public states- code prescribed by the Congress of the Unit- he ended up in someone else’s umu. It took man.’’ ed States of America shall be flown at half a long time for us to get over that loss. staff as a mark of respect and a tribute to D.E. ‘‘Rags’’ Scanlan, president of Royal Guard Security, said Coleman was ‘‘distin- Dad used to cut our hair, even after he be- the memory of Uifatali Peter Coleman, came Governor. His haircuts made us very former Governor of American Samoa, and guished by his work for the betterment of all in the South Pacific.’’ Scanlan whom Cole- sad and we cried every time we had to get one of the fathers of the government and the one. We wanted to look like Elvis but ended territory of American Samoa from April 28, man tapped to coordinate relief efforts after a 1981 hurricane devastated Samoa, said the up looking like Fred Flintstone. The hairline 1997, until May 28, 1997. was almost always uneven and so we would Furthermore, by the authority vested in man was ‘‘very unpolitical. He was in poli- tics but wasn’t a politician, he worked be- get teased and slapped in the head by the me by the constitution and laws of American other kids. Samoa, as executive head of this territory, I hind the scenes.’’ J.E. Tihati Thompson of Tihati Produc- One time my brother Milton ran away hereby order the flag of American Samoa to from home because he didn’t want his hair be flown also at half staff. I would also like tions said: ‘‘I will always respect him for the assistance he gave not only to the people of cut. Anyway he finally returned home when to ask all the departments, agencies, and of- he got too hungry. And of course the rest of fices of the American Samoa to observe in Samoa, but also to the Tokelau people of Swains Island Atoll while in office. He grew us promptly reported him to Dad. Misery the most appropriate manner and custom be- loves company. Milton got his spanking, fitting the occasion of the passing of this into a very gracious statesman who many would consult for political advice.’’ which made us gleeful and after his haircut, great leader. lost his appetite. In witness whereof I set my hand and seal As kids we didn’t fully appreciate that on the 28th day of April, 1997, at Utulei, [From the Samoa News, May 15, 1997] those haircuts showed Dad to be a true vi- American Samoa. A EULOGY IN MEMORY OF PETER TALI sionary. Today these haircuts are considered TAUESE P.F. SUNIA, COLEMAN fashionable and quite stylish with the Governor of American Samoa. (The following eulogy was presented by younger crowd. Dad was ahead of his time. William Patrick ‘‘Dyke’’ Coleman at the re- Mom was always behind the scene, provid- [From the Hawaii Star-Bulletin, Apr. 29, cent funeral of his father, former Governor ing her strengths to support Dad and the 1997] Peter Tali Coleman. Dyke was Governor family. For all this intelligence, strength of character and self-discipline, his sense of PETER COLEMAN, ‘‘MAN OF THE PACIFIC’’ Coleman’s chief of staff in his most recent administration (1989–1993).) humor was how he kept life in perspective, (By Mary Adamski) Dad introduced as to Samoa during the everything in balance. HONOLULU.—Peter Tali Coleman was called summer of 1952 when we first arrived in Pago He used humor to fend off criticism, to ‘‘a man of the Pacific’’ in one of the many Pago Harbor on board the Navy transport laugh with others, to tolerate the inflated honorary degrees he was awarded, but that vessel the USS Jackson. We kids were just egos his line of work brought, and even to was not a fanciful title. It would serve as a overwhelmed and excited by the beauty of laugh at himself. His sense of humor was his summary of his life. the Harbor and the majesty of the surround- way of remaining within himself. He was the first Samoan to be appointed ing mountains on that July morning. One day when he was still at Queen’s Hos- governor of American Samoa, a US territory Grandma Amata had accompanied us on pital I went to visit with him. He had just and later the first elected governor there. the trip from Honolulu and Chief Tali, Aunty awakened and I sat there making loose talk His service as governor bridged five dec- Mabel and Snookie and other family mem- and joking with him. I told him casually ades, first from the appointment in 1956–61, bers were there to welcome us. that Amata had called earlier from Washing- to three elected terms, the most recent end- The living quarters we were assigned to ton. ing in 1993. was the old nurses’ quarters at Malaloa, the He asked what she had wanted. I told him He spent nearly 17 years as an American house was spacious, wide open and struc- she asked how he was doing and that he appointee in administrative roles in the turally sound and we kids loved it. Mom and should start thinking about the governor’s former U.N. Trust Territories of Micronesia. Dad learned later that these quarters had race for the year 2000. He laughed so hard he Then he served as an advisor to the govern- been condemned but that really never both- cried. May 22, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1031 God bless you. was enacted. Contained within this legislation days containing an assessment of the agen- f is an often overlooked, but nevertheless sig- cy's compliance with the procedural steps re- nificant, provision that gives Congress the au- quired by various statutes and executive or- A TRIBUTE TO SHIMON EREM thority to prevent new Federal regulations from ders relating to the regulatory process. The taking effect. This new regulatory disapproval usefulness of these reports, however, is mini- HON. BRAD SHERMAN authority is designed to allow Congress to be- mal because they simply assess procedural OF CALIFORNIA come a more active participant in the regu- steps taken by an agency, and do not at all IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES latory process. address the substance of the regulation. As a Members of Congress have often protested result, they do little to assist Members of Con- Thursday, May 22, 1997 that Federal agencies routinely promulgate gress determine the merits of the rule itself. Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor regulations that exceed their legal authority. This would change under my legislation. Ini- to rise today to recognize Shimon Erem as the Given these complaints, and the fact that the tially, the functions now designated to the recipient of the Lawrence J. Weinberg Distin- regulatory burden has become unbearably General Accounting Office would be trans- guished Service Award. This award recog- large, one would expect that Congress would ferred to CORA. In addition to the report on an nizes Shimon for his outstanding grassroots be vigorously employing its powers under the agency's compliance with procedural steps, political service which has helped to strength- Congressional Review Act. However, in prac- CORA would also perform its own regulatory en relations between the United States and Is- tice, the exact opposite is true. As of May 21, impact analysis of major rules. Such an analy- rael. 1997, roughly 14 months after the Congres- sis would provide a second opinion on the Shimon Erem has been a tireless leader of sional Review Act became effective, 4,574 agency's actions and provide Members with a our community and our Nation recognizing the nonmajor final rules have been submitted to substantive assessment of the impact the reg- necessity of open dialog, particularly over dif- GAO and Congress, and 72 major rules, on ulation is likely to have. This information could ficult issues which jeopardize freedom and which GAO is required to submit a statement then be used to facilitate use of the Congres- peace. He has personally arranged meetings to Congress, have been issued. Yet, not a sin- sional Review Act. among the leaders of France, Norway, Poland, gle resolution of disapproval has been passed. In addition, CORA could also conduct regu- Israel, and the United States, as well as con- The House of Representatives has failed even latory impact analyses of nonmajor rules. Cur- ferences between Christian and Jewish pas- to consider one such resolution. rently, there is no type of review of these reg- tors to better Judo-Christian relations. In my opinion, this is not how the Congres- ulations by GAO or anyone else. CORA would In addition to his national leadership Shimon sional Review Act was designed to operate. undertake these analyses at the request of a has served our local community by participat- Congress must use its authority to exercise committee or individual Member, based on a ing in California statewide politics, while per- stronger oversight of the regulatory state. Be- priority system established within the legisla- sonally forging relationships between State of- fore I describe the responsibilities of CORA, tion and the discretion of the Director of the ficials and party activists. Shimon is a true however, I would like to make one point very Office. Under such a system, CORA could champion of democracy locally in California clear: this initiative is not based on the as- analyze important nonmajor rules using limited and throughout the world. sumption that all regulations are bad. Some budgetary resources. Shimon understands the basis of democracy regulations have been instrumental in protect- Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, and the need for strong leadership. He has ing our environment and ensuring the safety of the Congressional Budget Office also has cer- headed several organizations including B'nai millions of American workers. These efforts tain regulatory analysis functions. CBO is re- B'rith, the World Alliance of Christians and should not be weakened, and it is not the in- quired to estimate the costs of regulations that Jews, Center for Strategic Studies in Los An- tent of this legislation to do so. may be needed to implement a particular geles, and countless others. The Los Angeles Having said that, let me explain more fully piece of legislation. Upon request, CBO is also community and I thank Shimon for his excep- what CORA is designed to do. Under my bill, required to compare its estimate with that of tional service and dedication to the preserva- a new legislative support office, called the the agency promulgating the rule. Because tion of democracy throughout the world. Congressional Office of Regulatory Analysis, CORA would be the repository of regulatory Alexis de Tocqueville once said that: would be created. Why is such an office need- information for Congress, it would be appro- A people among whom individuals lost the ed? As discussed above, the Congressional priate for CORA to assume this function. power of achieving great things single-hand- Review Act is simply not being implemented. Mr. Speaker, Congress needs accurate, reli- ed would soon relapse into barbarism. The executive branch continues to churn out able, nonpartisan information that it can use to Tocqueville meant that democracy would new regulations at a staggering pace. In most assess new regulations. A source for such in- not survive without people like Shimon sac- cases, the only information that Members of formation does not currently exist. My legisla- rificing time and energy for the benefit of this Congress have available to them regarding a tion would create a small, inexpensive, and fo- Nation. I honor Shimon Erem for his work to- regulation is that which is provided by the pro- cused office within the legislative branch that ward peace and congratulate him as the recip- mulgating agency. As we all know, Federal could provide such information. It would con- ient of the Lawrence J. Weinberg Distin- agencies are required to complete a number solidate and centralize such a function, and guished Service Award. of reports and analyses on rules that they are greatly facilitate effective implementation of f promulgating. A problem exists, however, be- the Congressional Review Act. With the an- cause agencies often ignore these require- nual cost to our economy of Federal regula- THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CON- ments, or fail to thoroughly comply with them. tions estimated at roughly $700 billion and GRESSIONAL OFFICE OF REGU- Aside from what an agency may provide, there growing, how can we afford not to have such LATORY ANALYSIS CREATION is no other source of information that Con- an office? ACT gress can rely upon. CORA's sole purpose Thank you, Mr. Speaker. would be to analyze new agency regulations f HON. SUE W. KELLY to help Congress determine whether the use HONORING LINDA VISTA SCHOOL OF NEW YORK of its disapproval authority under the Congres- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sional Review Act would be warranted. How would the Office operate? Under cur- HON. JAY KIM Thursday, May 22, 1997 rent law, virtually all new regulations are re- OF CALIFORNIA Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing quired to be filed with Comptroller General of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES legislation that will greatly assist this body in the General Accounting Office and each Thursday, May 22, 1997 obtaining information that it can use to fulfill its House of Congress. The Comptroller General Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise responsibilities under the Congressional Re- has unique responsibilities if these regulations today and salute Principal Schara and the view Act. My legislation would create a Con- are determined to be major. A major rule, teachers and students of Linda Vista Elemen- gressional Office of Regulatory Analysis, or whose determination is made by the Adminis- tary School in Yorba Linda, CA for having CORA, whose sole purpose would be to pro- trator of the Office of Information and Regu- been awarded the Blue Ribbon School Award vide Congress substantive information on the latory Affairs, is defined as a rule that will like- by the U.S. Secretary of Education. I am potential impact of new regulations on our Na- ly have an annual effect on the economy of proud to represent such a fine institution in tion's small business. $100 million or more. In these instances, GAO Congress. In March 1996, the Small Business Regu- is required to submit a report to the commit- Blue Ribbon awards honor 263 secondary, latory Enforcement Fairness Act [SBREFA] tees of jurisdiction by the end of 15 calendar middle and junior high schools around the