Veterans' Benefits: Availability of Benefits in American Samoa
Abstract
American Samoa is an unincorporated, essentially self-governing territory of the United States located in the South Pacific about 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii. The territory consists of seven islands and has a population of about 47,000, approximately 95 percent of whom live on the island of Tutuila. The population is young, with over one-third being under 19 years of age. American Samoans have been eligible to serve in the U.S. armed forces since American Samoa became a U.S. territory in 1900. American Samoa government officials estimate that from 2,000 to 3,000 veterans live in American Samoa. However, the 1990 U.S. Census, based on a M-percent household survey, found only 830 veterans living in American Samoa. In 1951, the Secretary of the Interior assumed administrative responsibility for the territory; since then American Samoa has progressed toward greater self-government.2 Although American Samoa's modern government is a constitutional democracy with executive, legislative, and judicial branches, the Department of the Interior maintains oversight and policy responsibilities for the territory. In April 1992, we reported that poor financial management practices by the American Samoa government are the primary cause of American Samoa's deteriorating financial condition.3 We found that the Department of the Interior's efforts to improve American Samoa's financial management have been ineffective. American Samoa has not fully complied with conditions attached to the operating assistance it receives, and Interior has been lenient in enforcing compliance. In addition, we reported that American Samoa has been slow to respond to recommendations by Interior's Office of the Inspector General, We made a series of recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior intended to ensure that the American Samoa government improves its financial management practices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- AD1149635
Entities
People
- James R. Linz
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office