Jump to content

A. P. Lutali

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Lepricavark (talk | contribs) at 06:08, 25 January 2020 (added short description). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

A. P. Lutali
52nd and 54th Governor of American Samoa
In office
January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1997
LieutenantTauese Sunia
Preceded byPeter Tali Coleman
Succeeded byTauese Sunia
In office
January 3, 1985 – January 2, 1989
LieutenantEni Faleomavaega
Preceded byPeter Tali Coleman
Succeeded byPeter Tali Coleman
Personal details
Born
Aifili Paulo Lutali

(1919-12-24)December 24, 1919
Aunu'u, American Samoa, U.S.
DiedAugust 1, 2002(2002-08-01) (aged 82)
Pago Pago, American Samoa, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseSusana Le'iato
Children9
EducationUniversity of Hawaii, Manoa

Aifili Paulo Lauvao (December 24, 1919 – August 1, 2002), was twice governor of American Samoa (1985–89, 1993–97). The founder of the U.S territory's Democratic Party, he had a long career in the legislature and the judiciary in American Samoa.

Governor Lutali was a preservationist who wanted to preserve large areas of the territory's nature. Lutali also worked to preserve American Samoa's ancient sites and historical buildings. He revitalized the Historic Preservation Office.[1]

Biography

Education

From 1951 to 1954, Lutali served as administrative supervisor for public schools. He was chairman of the Samoan Culture Curriculum Committee from 1952 to 1954, a member of the Board of Education from 1955 to 1958, and chairman of the first American Samoa Board of Higher Education, which established the American Samoa Community College, Mapusaga, in 1974. He was admitted to practice in the High Court of American Samoa in 1954 and was one of the founders of the American Samoa Bar Association in 1972. He served as chief judge of the Lands and Titles Division.

Political career

Lutali was elected to the American Samoa House of Representatives in 1955 and served as its speaker in 1955–58. He was a member of the 1966 Constitutional Convention and was American Samoa's Delegate to Congress from 1975 to 1977. He was elected to the American Samoa Senate in 1977 and was elected its president in his first year. He was first elected governor of American Samoa in 1984 and lost his bid for a second term in 1988. In 1989, he was returned by his district (Sa'ole) to the Senate where he served as chairman of the Committee on Government Operations until he was again elected governor in 1992. Lutali played a key role in working with Samoan chiefs and the U.S. Congress to create the 50th national park of the United States in American Samoa. He lost his bid for a third term as governor in the 1996 elections.

Death

Lutali died around 6:45 am at LBJ Medical Center on August 1, 2002.

Legacy

American Samoa's newest school, The A. P. Lutali Elementary School, is named in his honor. It is located on the island of Aunu'u, American Samoa.

Sources

References

  1. ^ Shaffer, Robert J. (2000). American Samoa: 100 Years Under the United States Flag. Island Heritage. Page 200. ISBN 9780896103399.
Party political offices
First Democratic nominee for Governor of American Samoa
1977, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of American Samoa
1985–1989
Succeeded by
Governor of American Samoa
1993–1997
Succeeded by