| Velega Savali | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 11, 1943 American Samoa |
| Nationality | American Samoan |
| Occupation | Lawyer and politician |
| Spouse | Leleiga Fa’atili Esera |
Velega Savali Savali Jr. (born January 11, 1943) is an American Samoan 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.[1]
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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.[2] He is a deacon at the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa.
Velega Savali was born on January 11, 1943, to parents Savali Rapi Muasau and Taupuleesea Tela.[2] Savali's family is originally from Ofu-Olosega, located in the Manu'a Islands.
He attended Ofu Elementary School beginning in 1948.[2] 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.[2] He and his family soon moved a gain, this time to Hawaii, where he graduated from Admiral Arthur W. Radford High School in 1962.[2]
Savali enlisted in the United States Marines in 1965, and served in the Vietnam War for a brief time.[2] He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and two medals for good conduct.[2] Seveli received an honorable discharge from the Marines in 1968 as an E-5.[2]
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.[2]
Savali returned to American Samoa in 1974, where he became the Assistant Director of the Department of Public Works (DPW).[2] He became the manager of the Office of Motor Vehicles of American Samoa in 1975.[2] He held the position until he took a position as the administrator of the High Court of American Samoa in 1978.[2] Savali later became the manager of the Department of Human Resources.[2]
Savali became a legislative financial officer for the American Samoa Fono in 1986.[2] He was appointed as the Vice President of the Development Bank of American Samoa in 2000.[2]
Savali was appointed the Treasurer of the American Samoa government, a cabinet post, in August 2005 by Governor Togiola Tulafono.[1] He was confirmed for the post by the American Samoa Fono.[1] 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.[1] Savali sent a letter back to the Governor refusing to resign and challenging the governor to remove him from his cabinet office.[3] He was soon fired by Governor Tulafono.[3] Savali said in an interview that a termination letter was delivered to him in a public park.[3] He stated that the Governor's poor assessment of the American Samoan finances were incorrect.[3]
In May 2008, Afoa Moega Lutu announced that he would challenge Governor Togiola Tulafono for governor of American Samoa, with Velega Savali as his running mate.[4] 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.