Editing Pago Pago, American Samoa (section)

====1960s====
Pago Pago was an important location for [[NASA]]'s [[Apollo program]] from 1961 to 1972. [[Apollo 10]], [[Apollo 11]], [[Apollo 12]], [[Apollo 13]], [[Apollo 14]] and [[Apollo 17]] landed by Tutuila Island, and the crew flew from Pago Pago to Honolulu on their way back to the mainland.<ref name="tripod">{{cite web|url=http://members.tripod.com/~Tavita_Herdrich/apollosummary.html|website=members.tripod.com|title=Apollo At American Samoa Summary|access-date=November 28, 2017}}</ref><ref name="nasa">{{cite web|url=http://history.nasa.gov/alsj/a17/a17steen.html|website=history.nasa.gov|title=Kevin Steen|access-date=November 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226001536/https://history.nasa.gov/alsj/a17/a17steen.html|archive-date=December 26, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[Jean P. Haydon Museum]] are displays of an [[Flag of American Samoa|American Samoa-flag]] brought to the Moon in 1969 by Apollo 11, as well as moonstones, all given as a gift to American Samoa by President [[Richard Nixon]] following the return of the Apollo Moon missions.<ref name="fodors">{{cite web|url=http://www.fodors.com/world/australia-and-the-pacific/american-samoa/things-to-do/sights/reviews/jean-p-haydon-museum-584573|title=Jean P. Haydon Museum Review {{pipe}} Fodor's Travel|website=fodors.com|access-date=November 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023230753/http://www.fodors.com/world/australia-and-the-pacific/american-samoa/things-to-do/sights/reviews/jean-p-haydon-museum-584573|archive-date=October 23, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The museum was officially opened in October 1971 with an opening featuring [[Margaret Mead]] as a guest speaker. The [[National Endowment for the Arts]] provided a start-up grant. The most valuable asset was an exquisite mat reputed to be the ''Fala o Futa'', the first important fine mat of Samoa, donated by Senate President HC Salanoa S.P. Aumoeualogo. The other major contribution was a cannon which came off ''[[Kaimiloa]]'', a 171-ton steamer and the only warship in the fleet of [[King Kalakaua]] of Hawai'i. The Hawaiian king sent the ship to the Samoan Islands in an effort at creating a Polynesian kingdom.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|313}}

In 1965, the Tramway at [[Mount {{okina}}Alava]] was constructed as access to the TV transmission equipment on the mountain. It ran from atop Solo Hill at the end of the Togotogo Ridge above [[Utulei, American Samoa|Utulei]]. It ascended {{convert|1.1|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} across [[Pago Pago Harbor]] and landed at the {{convert|1598|ft|abbr=on}} Mount {{okina}}Alava. It was one of the world's longest single-span cablecar routes.<ref name="Swaney-1994"/>{{rp|167}}<ref name="Stanley-2004">Stanley, David (2004). ''Moon Handbooks South Pacific''. David Stanley. {{ISBN|9781566914116}}.</ref>{{rp|475}}<ref>Dalton, Bill and David Stanley (1979). ''South Pacific Handbook''. David Stanley. Page 73. {{ISBN|9780804813136}}.</ref>

President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] and First Lady [[Lady Bird Johnson]] visited Pago Pago on October 18, 1966. Johnson remains the only U.S. president to have visited American Samoa. [[Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center]] was named in honor of the president.<ref name="ucsb">{{cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=27945|website=presidency.ucsb.edu|title=Lyndon B. Johnson: Remarks Upon Arrival at Tafuna International Airport, Pago Pago, American Samoa.|access-date=November 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525021435/http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=27945|archive-date=May 25, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Landing ahead of the [[Air Force One]] was the press plane that carried seventy news reporters. The two-hour visit was televised throughout the country and the world. Governor H. Rex Lee and traditional leaders crammed ceremonies, entertainment, a brief tour, and a school dedication: the Manulele Tausala, Lady Bird Johnson School. The President gave a speech where he laid out the American policy for its lone South Pacific territory. The President and First Lady returned to American Samoa in December 1966, on their way to Prime Minister's [[Harold Holt]]'s funeral in Australia. Governor [[Owen Aspinall]] offered a quiet welcome as the [[White House]] asked for there to be no ceremonies during the visit. Around 3,000 spectators went to the [[Pago Pago International Airport]] to see the President.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|292}}

In May 1967, Governor [[H. Rex Lee]] signed a law making Pago Pago a [[duty-free]] port. Excise taxes, however, were imposed on automobiles, firearms, luxury goods, and auto parts. The excise tax was heaviest on secondhand motor vehicles and machinery. It was nicknamed the "Junk Bill" as it intended to keep out old used merchandise.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|285}}