SR 3-SAMOAN SERVICE & VOTING RIGHTS  10:06:17 AM CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 3 Urging the United States Congress to grant American Samoans the ability to serve as commissioned officers in the uniformed services of the United States and the right to vote in federal elections. 10:06:30 AM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI summarized SR 3. He stated American Samoa is the only U.S. territory where residents are U.S. nationals, not citizens. The people of American Samoa people serve in the military at high rates and pay taxes but can't vote in federal elections or serve as commissioned officers. He stated that this resolution urges Congress to grant them those rights. 10:07:55 AM SENATOR BJORKMAN asked why Samoans are classified as nationals rather than citizens and whether the government of American Samoa was asked their perspective. 10:08:35 AM MAXINE LABERGE, Researcher, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, answered questions about SR 3 and said America Samoa does have representation in congress but they would like to have voting rights. 10:09:13 AM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI stated that there is broad support in American Samoa for voting rights and serving as commissioned officers. However, there's some debate over whether they want U.S. citizenship instead of national status. 10:09:57 AM CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited the will of the committee. 10:10:00 AM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to report SR 3, work order 34- LS0963\N, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 10:10:18 AM CHAIR KAWASAKI found no objection and SR 3 was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.