Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of David Thomas Pangelinan Perez, who passed away on February 16, 2026. He is preceded by his wife, Maria Luisa Cruz Paulino, to whom he was married for 53 years; and survived by seven children, fifteen grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. David was born in Guam on August 19, 1937. He retired as a Department of the Army civilian after 35 years of service, traveling on assignment in Asia, Europe, and throughout the U.S. After retiring he worked with the government of the Federated States of the Micronesia living in Pohnpei, and then in Guam and Tinian as an elementary school and Chamorro language teacher. He was one of the founding members of the Guam Society of America in Washington, D.C., serving as both president and treasurer. He was a WWII history buff and enjoyed watching Japanese historical dramas and Sumo. He was also his family's de-facto record keeper, with an extremely knowledgeable memory of the ``Gollo'' family genealogy. David was a bright and affable man, always able to bring smiles to those around him. He was a dear friend to me, as was his wife, Maria. I cherish his memory and kindness as he goes to his final resting place alongside her. He was beloved by many and will be sorely missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Polynesian Association of Alaska (PAOA), a non-profit organization that is celebrating their 20th Anniversary. Over the span of two decades, this organization has committed itself to educating Pacific Islanders across various domains, including health and social services, employment, culture, language, voting, education, immigration, and more.

PAOA was founded on November 16, 2004, in Anchorage, Alaska, following a Samoan Computer Language Senior Class led by Lusiana Tuga Hansen. This non-profit entity was formally established and registered in the City of Anchorage and the State of Alaska on February 1, 2005, and achieved 501(c)(3) status on June 16, 2006. Since its establishment, it has functioned as the leading organization for the Pacific Island community in Alaska from 2005 to 2025.

PAOA's mission is to empower and educate individuals and families while promoting pride and acceptance of all cultures and instilling the best values they embody. The organization currently has 53 registered members and 19 Board Members. Their vision is to ensure that the Pacific Island community in Alaska and beyond receives support in education, employment, and cultural enrichment. I want to thank the group for their continued dedication to Polynesian cultural and community values in Alaska and for their contributions to the Pacific Islands region at large.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the South Pacific Tuna Treaty Act.

I represent the beautiful islands of American Samoa in the South Pacific. This bill implements into statute the most recent changes to the South Pacific Tuna Treaty that was negotiated between NOAA and other signatory countries to the treaty.

These changes are important to support the American fishing fleet in the South Pacific, of which many boats call American Samoa home. These changes improve the operational conditions and flexibility for the fleet, which is America's last true distant-water fishing fleet.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the bill's cosponsor, the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case), for his support of this legislation.

``Live long and prosper.'' ``Soifua ma ia manuia.''