Amata Honors the Life of Vice President Cheney

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is honoring the life of Vice President Richard Cheney, who served for eight years as the 46th Vice President of the United States under President George W. Bush. He also visited American Samoa while Governor Coleman was in office.

Vice President Cheney was also the 17th U.S. Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush, leading the Pentagon during the first Gulf War, and in office during the historic fall of the Berlin Wall. He was a six-term Congressman from Wyoming, serving in Congress through the Reagan administration years, holding several key congressional positions and rising to House Republican Whip. Prior to those roles, he was White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald R. Ford.

"I had the opportunity to know Vice President Cheney long before his vice presidency in his role as White House Chief of Staff. At the time I worked in Old Executive Office Building on White House grounds, now known as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. I have good memories of that time, part of my early experience in Washington, D.C., while I worked often with the White House's scheduling personnel. I can attest that he treated staff well and kindly, with honesty, and he expressed appreciation readily.

"He held several of the most influential positions in the United States government, and will be a key part of our history especially for the decades from the beginning of the Ford administration in 1974 to the close of the George W. Bush administration in 2009. He was a statesman, a dedicated public servant, a strong advocate for his beliefs, and I know he genuinely desired the best for the United States.

"I served in Congress with his daughter, Elizabeth Cheney, then Conference Chairwoman, and I know her well. I am very sorry for this loss she and the rest of the Cheney family have had. My condolences to them. May God bless America and unite us in seeking what is best for our great country."

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