Togiola T A Tulafono

TOGIOLA T.A. TULAFONO was born on February 28, 1947 on Aunu'u Island, American Samoa. He was educated at Samoana High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology in 1970 from Chadron State College in Nebraska, and also received a doctor of laws degree in 1975 from Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas. A lawyer with approximately 20 years in private practice, Tulafono has been a policeman, administrative assistant for the secretary of Samoan affairs, Samoan assistant to the attorney general, district court judge, senator for Saole County for four years, senator for Sua County for eight years, first chairman of the board of directors for the American Samoa Power Authority, and first chairman of the Board of Higher Education. He served as lieutenant governor of American Samoa from 1997 until April 2003, when he was sworn in as governor following Governor Tauese P.F. Sunia's sudden death. Tulafono chaired the South Pacific Mini Games Committee in 1997 when the Territory hosted the regional games, and he also served as chairman for the American Samoa Centennial Committee during the 2000 celebration marking 100 years since American Samoa became a U.S. possession. Tulafono was elected as governor on November 16, 2004. He has been a deacon for more than 25 years at the Congregational Christian Church in Sa’ilele, American Samoa, and presently serves as vice chairman of the territorial church general assembly.