Velega Savali
Encyclopedia
Velega Savali Savali Jr. (born January 11, 1943) is an American Samoa
n politician
. Savali is currently a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa
in the American Samoan gubernatorial election
in 2008. He served as the American Samoa Treasurer
from 2005 until 2008.
Savali was granted the title of High Talking Chief of Velega by his family. He is a deacon
at the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa.
He attended Ofu Elementary School beginning in 1948. He then enrolled in Papatea Junior High School starting in 1954. Savali moved to the island of Tutuila
in 1958, where he attended the High School of American Samoa in Utulei. He and his family soon moved a gain, this time to Hawaii
, where he graduated from Admiral Arthur W. Radford High School
in 1962.
Savali enlisted in the United States Marines in 1965, and served in the Vietnam War
for a brief time. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal
, the National Defense Service Medal
, and two medals for good conduct. Seveli received an honorable discharge from the Marines in 1968 as an E-5.
Savali enrolled at Los Angeles City College
in 1969. He transferred to California State University, Los Angeles
in 1971, where he earned a bachelor's of science degree in political science
and administration.
in 1978. Savali later became the manager of the Department of Human Resources
.
Savali became a legislative financial officer for the American Samoa Fono
in 1986. He was appointed as the Vice President
of the Development Bank of American Samoa in 2000.
Savali was appointed the Treasurer
of the American Samoa government, a cabinet
post, in August 2005 by Governor Togiola Tulafono
. He was confirmed for the post by the American Samoa Fono
. In January 2008, Governor Tulafono sent a letter to Savali asking that he submit his resignantion for failing to report that the government was facing a deteriorating financial crisis and was running out of money. Savali sent a letter back to the Governor refusing to resign and challenging the governor to remove him from his cabinet office. He was soon fired by Governor Tulafono. Savali said in an interview that a termination letter was delivered to him in a public park. He stated that the Governor's poor assessment of the American Samoan finances were incorrect.
announced that he would challenge Governor Togiola Tulafono for governor of American Samoa, with Velega Savali as his running mate. Savali have become the next Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa
if elected on November 4, 2008, but the Lutu-Savali ticket lost to incumbent Governor Togiola Tulafono
in a runoff
.
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
n politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. Savali is currently a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa
Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa
The government of American Samoa consists of a locally elected governor, lieutenant governor and the American Samoa Fono, which consists of an 18-member Senate and a 21-member House of Representatives. The first popular election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor took place in 1977...
in the American Samoan gubernatorial election
American Samoa gubernatorial election, 2008
The 2008 American Samoa gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2008, coinciding with the 2008 United States general elections and the American Samoa general election. Because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election between the top two candidates was held on...
in 2008. He served as the American Samoa Treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
from 2005 until 2008.
Personal life
Savali is married to Leleiga Fa’atili Esera. The couple have three daughters - Lelatasi, Hope and Tasi - two sons, John and Mikey and four grandchildren.Savali was granted the title of High Talking Chief of Velega by his family. He is a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
at the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa.
Early life
Velega Savali was born on January 11, 1943, to parents Savali Rapi Muasau and Taupuleesea Tela. Savali's family is originally from Ofu-Olosega, located in the Manu'a Islands.He attended Ofu Elementary School beginning in 1948. He then enrolled in Papatea Junior High School starting in 1954. Savali moved to the island of Tutuila
Tutuila
Tutuila is the largest and the main island of American Samoa in the archipelago of Samoan Islands. It is the third largest island in the Samoan Islands chain of the Central Pacific located roughly northeast of Brisbane, Australia and over northeast of Fiji. It contains a large, natural harbor,...
in 1958, where he attended the High School of American Samoa in Utulei. He and his family soon moved a gain, this time to Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, where he graduated from Admiral Arthur W. Radford High School
Admiral Arthur W. Radford High School
Admiral Arthur W. Radford High School, known as Radford High School, is a public high school in the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, adjacent to the Halawa CDP.-Admiral Arthur W. Radford :...
in 1962.
Savali enlisted in the United States Marines in 1965, and served in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
for a brief time. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during...
, the National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
, and two medals for good conduct. Seveli received an honorable discharge from the Marines in 1968 as an E-5.
Savali enrolled at Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles City College, known as LACC, is a public community college in the East Hollywood section of Los Angeles, California. A part of the Los Angeles Community College District, it is located on Vermont Avenue south of Santa Monica Boulevard...
in 1969. He transferred to California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles is a public comprehensive university, part of the California State University system...
in 1971, where he earned a bachelor's of science degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
and administration.
Career
Savali returned to American Samoa in 1974, where he became the Assistant Director of the Department of Public Works (DPW). He became the manager of the Office of Motor Vehicles of American Samoa in 1975. He held the position until he took a position as the administrator of the High Court of American SamoaHigh Court of American Samoa
The High Court of American Samoa is the highest court below the United States Supreme Court in American Samoa. The Court is located in the capital of Fagatogo. It consists of a Chief Justice and an Associate Justice, appointed by the United States Secretary of the Interior...
in 1978. Savali later became the manager of the Department of Human Resources
Human resources
Human resources is a term used to describe the individuals who make up the workforce of an organization, although it is also applied in labor economics to, for example, business sectors or even whole nations...
.
Savali became a legislative financial officer for the American Samoa Fono
American Samoa Fono
The Legislature of American Samoa or Fono is the territorial legislature of American Samoa. Like most state and territorial legislatures of the United States, it is a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives and a Senate...
in 1986. He was appointed as the Vice President
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
of the Development Bank of American Samoa in 2000.
Savali was appointed the Treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
of the American Samoa government, a cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
post, in August 2005 by Governor Togiola Tulafono
Togiola Tulafono
Togiola Talalelei A. Tulafono is the Governor of American Samoa. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He had previously served as Lieutenant Governor, taking this position on January 3, 1997....
. He was confirmed for the post by the American Samoa Fono
American Samoa Fono
The Legislature of American Samoa or Fono is the territorial legislature of American Samoa. Like most state and territorial legislatures of the United States, it is a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives and a Senate...
. In January 2008, Governor Tulafono sent a letter to Savali asking that he submit his resignantion for failing to report that the government was facing a deteriorating financial crisis and was running out of money. Savali sent a letter back to the Governor refusing to resign and challenging the governor to remove him from his cabinet office. He was soon fired by Governor Tulafono. Savali said in an interview that a termination letter was delivered to him in a public park. He stated that the Governor's poor assessment of the American Samoan finances were incorrect.
2008 Lieutenant Governor election
In May 2008, Afoa Moega LutuAfoa Moega Lutu
Afoafouvale Leulumoegafou Su’esu’e Lutu is an American Samoan politician and lawyer. Lutu has served as the former American Samoan Attorney General.Lutu was defeated in the 2004 gubernatorial election by Togiola Tulafono...
announced that he would challenge Governor Togiola Tulafono for governor of American Samoa, with Velega Savali as his running mate. Savali have become the next Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa
Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa
The government of American Samoa consists of a locally elected governor, lieutenant governor and the American Samoa Fono, which consists of an 18-member Senate and a 21-member House of Representatives. The first popular election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor took place in 1977...
if elected on November 4, 2008, but the Lutu-Savali ticket lost to incumbent Governor Togiola Tulafono
Togiola Tulafono
Togiola Talalelei A. Tulafono is the Governor of American Samoa. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He had previously served as Lieutenant Governor, taking this position on January 3, 1997....
in a runoff
Runoff
Run-off or runoff may refer to:* Surface runoff, the flow of water, from rain, snow melt, or other sources, over land* Runoff model , a mathematical model describing the rainfall-runoff relations of a rainfall catchment area or watershed...
.