[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 69 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1029-E1031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GOVERNOR PETER TALI COLEMAN OF AMERICAN
SAMOA
______
HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA
of american samoa
in the house of representatives
Thursday, May 22, 1997
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of a
distinguished Pacific leader, the late Uifa'atali Peter Coleman, former
Governor of American Samoa, who passed away last month after a long
battle with cancer. A dedicated public servant with more than 50 years
of public service, Governor Coleman was our first American Samoan
statesman, a Pacific American with a truly regional vision. It is that
vision for which he will always be remembered by our people.
He was someone important for whom I had tremendous respect. Governor
Coleman was always cordial and courteous to me and always extended the
hand of friendship. Although we disagreed on certain issues, we agreed
on many others, and among them the importance of a strong American
presence in the Pacific region.
I learned from him how to handle the stress of political life, how to
take the storms in stride and never make a disagreement into a personal
matter. He was the kind of individual of whom political opponents like
former Governor A.P. Lutali could say, ``Uifa'atali and I may have been
adversaries in politics, but in life we were always friends.''
Mr. Speaker, Governor Coleman exemplified all the traits of a true
Samoan leader. He was a soldier and a warrior, a pioneer and a man of
vision, a statesman and a man of wisdom. He possessed that quality
which Samoans value most in our leaders, that of tofa mamao, which
denotes a leader with a sense of vision or understanding and
anticipating future events. Above all, Governor Coleman was a humble
person who thought less of how he would be remembered in the future
than of what he could accomplish today.
Uifaatali Peter Coleman was born on December 8, 1919, in Pago Pago,
American Samoa. He received his elementary school education in Tutuila
and graduated from St. Louis High School in Honolulu, where he joined
the National Guard and enlisted in the U.S. Army at the beginning of
World War II. Assigned to the Pacific theater, he was stationed in the
Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Hawaii. By the end of the war, he had
risen to the rank of captain. In 1982, for his military service, he was
inducted into the U.S. Army Officers' Candidate School Hall of Fame in
Fort Benning, GA.
After the war, Governor Coleman enrolled in Georgetown University,
and in 1949 he received a bachelor of science degree in economics from
that institution. While in college he worked as a staff secretary to a
Member of Congress, became a member of the U.S. Capitol Police Force
and in what was then the Office of Territories at the U.S. Department
of the Interior. He became the first Samoan to my knowledge to receive
a law degree from a major U.S. university. After that, he returned to
American Samoa, where he became the first Samoan to serve as public
defender and later became attorney general.
In 1956, he was appointed Governor of American Samoa by President
Eisenhower, one of the first Pacific Islanders to serve as governor in
the Pacific. he held that position until 1961.
During those years he chaired the Convention which drafted American
Samoa's Constitution and his administration laid the foundation for
what has later become known as the American Samoa Government. To
properly understand his achievements, Mr. Speaker, we must remember
that at that time he had limited resources and hardly any staff to
speak of--i.e., there were no younger, educated American Samoans to
fill the positions in government. All that came later.
From 1961 until 1965, Governor Coleman served as Administrator of
what is now the Republic of the Marshall Islands. So great was the
regard in which he was held that he became, by special act of the
Nitijela (the Marshallese Parliament) the first U.S. citizen ever
accorded an honorary Marshall Islands citizenship.
During his subsequent 17 years in the northern Pacific, Governor
Coleman served as Deputy High Commissioner of the U.S. Trust Territory
of the Pacific Islands and, subsequently, as Acting High Commissioner,
which position he held until 1977. His performance firmly established
him as a regional statesman.
When American Samoa held its first gubernatorial election in 1977, he
ran for office and became the first elected Governor, a position which
he held three times. During his elected years in office, he continued
to forge close ties between the territory government and Washington DC
and with Federal and State agencies and institutions. He was
responsible for American Samoa's membership in both the National
Governors Association and the Regional Western Governors Association.
In 1980 he became the first territorial Governor to serve as chairman
of the Western Governors Conference. He was elected a member of the
executive committee of the NGA in 1990.
As a regional leader, Mr. Speaker, Governor Coleman's record is
equally distinguished. He co-founded the Pacific Basin Development
Council in 1980 and was its first elected President in 1982. In 1982 he
hosted and chaired the South Pacific Commission's annual conference in
Pago Pago, American Samoa. At a special SPC meeting in 1983 and later
in a conference in Saipan, he argued Strenuously for equal membership
in SPC for Pacific territories. This he ultimately was successful in
obtaining for the territories.
He was two times a member of the standing committee of the Pacific
Islands Conference of Leaders. He was on the founding board of the Pan-
Pacific Alliance for Trade and Development and a founding member of the
Offshore Governor's Forum, which he chaired from 1992 to 1993.
Governor Coleman was loved and respected by the people he served--
both in American Samoa and in the region. I know that everyone who ever
had the privilege of working with him had tremendous respect for his
common sense, his intelligence, and his decency.
His generosity of spirit was well-known. He was a role model and a
mentor to many young people, myself included. As he gained political
stature, he helped younger aspiring leaders--he opened up windows of
opportunity and it is as a mentor that many of us will remember him
best. From the ``teaching stories'' he shared to the examples of
achievement which his own life offered, he inspired many of us to
consider public service. As my distinguished colleague from Guam,
Congressman Robert Underwood, has said, ``He accurately saw himself as
a developer of indigenous governments, bringing Pacific islanders to
full recognition of their right to self-government and their capacity
to implement the same.''
His regional stature was widely acknowledged, Mr. Speaker. In 1970 he
was granted an honorary degree by the University of Guam, who cited him
as a ``Man of the Pacific.'' In 1978, he received an honorary doctorate
from Chaminade College in Hawaii, Pacific Magazine called him, ``a man
who is probably on a first name basis with everybody from the heart of
the Pacific islands to their most distant corners.''
This stature as a regional leader led to a number of special
assignments. He was a member of numerous U.S. delegations to treaty
negotiations, observances and regional conferences, among them the U.S.
delegation which negotiated the 1981 Treaties of Friendship with
Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tokelau and the Cook Islands, the second Pacific
Islands Conference of Leaders in Rarotonga in 1985, the Pacific
Democrat Union Conference in Fiji in 1987, the centenary observance of
the U.S. Tonga Treaty of Friendship in 1988, and the American Samoa
delegation to the Wellington Conference which banned driftnet fishing
in the South Pacific in 1989.
In the words of his longtime political rival, former Governor A.P.
Lutali, ``I am proud that my friend Uifa'atali earned a place in
history for his devotion and service to our people and the peoples of
the Pacific.'' Whether we remember the dedicated public servant, the
leader, the regional statesman, the role model for Pacific youth, the
good friend whose personal warmth was always evident--or any of his
other remarkable aspects, we all mourn his loss.
What stands out in my mind is Governor Coleman's regional stature.
Here was a man, a Pacific islander, who saw beyond the shores of his
own island--a man who clearly saw the link between the welfare of
American Samoan and the welfare of other Pacific islanders. He fought
for a responsible U.S. presence in the region, he cofounded,
encouraged, and nurtured regional organizations and he inspired a whole
generation of young Pacific islanders to strive to better themselves by
following his example and his vision.
[[Page E1030]]
Mr. Speaker, I recently attended the funeral services which were held
for Governor Coleman in Honolulu, HI. I am very glad to also note that
our Governor Tauese P. Sunia and his lovely wife, Faga, were in
attendance at the services. Additionally, the President of the Senate,
High Chief Lutu Tenari Fuimaono and his wife Sinira, the Speaker of the
House, High Chief Mailo Sao Nua, the Commissioner of Public Safety,
High Chief Te'o Fuavai, plus a special honor guard from the Department
of Public Safety in American Samoa were present.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my condolences to
Governor Coleman's wife, Nora, and his children and grandchildren. I am
sure that the proud legacy which he left them will live on in their
hearts and in the hearts of all the people of the Pacific.
Mr. Speaker, I recently attended the funeral services which were held
for Governor Coleman in Hawaii. I am very glad to note that our
Governor Tauese P. Sunia and his lovely wife Faga were in attendance at
the services. Additionally, the President of the Senate, High Chief
Lutu Tenari Fuimaono and his wife Sinira, the Speaker of the House,
High Chief Mailo Sao Nua.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my condolences to
Governor Coleman's dear wife Nora and his children. I am sure that the
proud legacy which he left them will live on in their hearts and in the
hearts of all the peoples of the Pacific.
proclamation
Pursuant to the authority vested in the Governor of
American Samoa, under the flag code prescribed by the
Congress of the United States of America shall be flown at
half staff as a mark of respect and a tribute to the memory
of Uifatali Peter Coleman, former Governor of American Samoa,
and one of the fathers of the government and the territory of
American Samoa from April 28, 1997, until May 28, 1997.
Furthermore, by the authority vested in me by the
constitution and laws of American Samoa, as executive head of
this territory, I hereby order the flag of American Samoa to
be flown also at half staff. I would also like to ask all the
departments, agencies, and offices of the American Samoa to
observe in the most appropriate manner and custom befitting
the occasion of the passing of this great leader.
In witness whereof I set my hand and seal on the 28th day
of April, 1997, at Utulei, American Samoa.
Tauese P.F. Sunia,
Governor of American Samoa.
____
[From the Hawaii Star-Bulletin, Apr. 29, 1997]
Peter Coleman, ``Man of the Pacific''
(By Mary Adamski)
Honolulu.--Peter Tali Coleman was called ``a man of the
Pacific'' in one of the many honorary degrees he was awarded,
but that was not a fanciful title. It would serve as a
summary of his life.
He was the first Samoan to be appointed governor of
American Samoa, a US territory and later the first elected
governor there.
His service as governor bridged five decades, first from
the appointment in 1956-61, to three elected terms, the most
recent ending in 1993.
He spent nearly 17 years as an American appointee in
administrative roles in the former U.N. Trust Territories of
Micronesia. Then he served as an advisor to the government
and the emerging Western Pacific nations as they gained
independence. He founded PTC Inc., a government relations
firm specializing in Pacific island matters, was the
Republican national committeeman from American Samoa, and an
attorney.
Coleman, 77 died yesterday (Monday) at his Honolulu home
after a two-year struggle with cancer.
``He was early recognized as a leader and will be
remembered as one of the forerunners in the Pacific among
native-born leaders who helped their nations chart their own
destinies,'' said Hawaiian Governor Ben Cayetano.
``His contribution will be long and recalled with respect
and affection.''
Governor Tauese P.F. Sunia of American Samoa ordered the
United States and American Samoa flags to be flown at half-
staff for 30 days in Coleman's home islands. Sunia will
attend services in Honolulu next week, according to his Chief
of Staff.
``There is no question of Peter Coleman's place in history,
not only in American Samoa, but throughout the Pacific,''
said Sunia in a message to the Coleman family ``I am proud to
say I knew him, that I worked for and with him, and that I
witnessed the progress and change he brought to American
Samoa.''
Kitty Simonds, Executive director of the Western Pacific
Regional Fisheries Management said: ``He really knew the
heart of the Pacific people.'' She recalled Coleman's effort
to affirm native islanders' fishing rights, a move not
popular with the American fishing industry or the tuna
packing firms in Pago Pago.
City Councilman Mufi Hannerman said: ``He was definitely a
role model for many Samoans. Through his example, he embodied
the best ideals and value of a public statesman.''
D.E. ``Rags'' Scanlan, president of Royal Guard Security,
said Coleman was ``distinguished by his work for the
betterment of all in the South Pacific.'' Scanlan whom
Coleman tapped to coordinate relief efforts after a 1981
hurricane devastated Samoa, said the man was ``very
unpolitical. He was in politics but wasn't a politician, he
worked behind the scenes.''
J.E. Tihati Thompson of Tihati Productions said: ``I will
always respect him for the assistance he gave not only to the
people of Samoa, but also to the Tokelau people of Swains
Island Atoll while in office. He grew into a very gracious
statesman who many would consult for political advice.''
____
[From the Samoa News, May 15, 1997]
A Eulogy in Memory of Peter Tali Coleman
(The following eulogy was presented by William Patrick
``Dyke'' Coleman at the recent funeral of his father, former
Governor Peter Tali Coleman. Dyke was Governor Coleman's
chief of staff in his most recent administration (1989-
1993).)
Dad introduced as to Samoa during the summer of 1952 when
we first arrived in Pago Pago Harbor on board the Navy
transport vessel the USS Jackson. We kids were just
overwhelmed and excited by the beauty of the Harbor and the
majesty of the surrounding mountains on that July morning.
Grandma Amata had accompanied us on the trip from Honolulu
and Chief Tali, Aunty Mabel and Snookie and other family
members were there to welcome us.
The living quarters we were assigned to was the old nurses'
quarters at Malaloa, the house was spacious, wide open and
structurally sound and we kids loved it. Mom and Dad learned
later that these quarters had been condemned but that really
never bothered us because we didn't know what that meant and
didn't care anyway.
To Dad, as long as the family's safety and health were not
being compromised, the label was of no consequence and the
condemned house he viewed as a minor, temporary inconvenience
that was not worth complaining about.
The house, for now, served our purposes. He adapted and
taught us to do the same. Don't get hung up on the minor
things. He never lost focus of his larger destiny.
Things that would bother many of us never seemed to bother
him. He handled criticism the same way. Those who knew him
well can attest to that. He reserved his energies for life's
larger problems.
Only he knew that, very soon thereafter, he would occupy
the best house on the island, the governor's mansion.
Occupying the governor's house itself was not the goal. He
aspired to lead his people and never lost focus of that
objective.
Dad practiced law during these early days and his clients
would often instead of cash pay him with live chickens and
pigs. The house was the perfect place in which to learn and
develop responsibility to raise and care for them.
Of course some of these animals soon became pets. We had a
pet pig named Porky that we let into the house all the time,
and Grandma Amata would get angry and chase the pig out with
a broom. On school days Porky would always greet us when we
got home. One day Porky didn't meet us. We combed the entire
area around the house and the mountainside. We couldn't find
him.
Dad had now become Attorney General and we kids had become
so upset and distraught that Dad called the police force to
help look for our pig. We never found Porky. We knew he ended
up in someone else's umu. It took a long time for us to get
over that loss.
Dad used to cut our hair, even after he became Governor.
His haircuts made us very sad and we cried every time we had
to get one. We wanted to look like Elvis but ended up looking
like Fred Flintstone. The hairline was almost always uneven
and so we would get teased and slapped in the head by the
other kids.
One time my brother Milton ran away from home because he
didn't want his hair cut. Anyway he finally returned home
when he got too hungry. And of course the rest of us promptly
reported him to Dad. Misery loves company. Milton got his
spanking, which made us gleeful and after his haircut, lost
his appetite.
As kids we didn't fully appreciate that those haircuts
showed Dad to be a true visionary. Today these haircuts are
considered fashionable and quite stylish with the younger
crowd. Dad was ahead of his time.
Mom was always behind the scene, providing her strengths to
support Dad and the family. For all this intelligence,
strength of character and self-discipline, his sense of humor
was how he kept life in perspective, everything in balance.
He used humor to fend off criticism, to laugh with others,
to tolerate the inflated egos his line of work brought, and
even to laugh at himself. His sense of humor was his way of
remaining within himself.
One day when he was still at Queen's Hospital I went to
visit with him. He had just awakened and I sat there making
loose talk and joking with him. I told him casually that
Amata had called earlier from Washington.
He asked what she had wanted. I told him she asked how he
was doing and that he should start thinking about the
governor's race for the year 2000. He laughed so hard he
cried.
[[Page E1031]]
God bless you.
____________________