Senate passes resolution marking Gov. Tali Peter Coleman's appointment
October 17, 2006

Senate Passes Resolution Marking Governor Coleman's Appointment
Reprinted from Pacific Magazine
Monday: October 16, 2006


American Samoa's Senate has passed a resolution marking the anniversary of the appointment of the late Hon. Uifa'atali Peter Tali Coleman as the first American Samoan Governor of Samoan ancestory, 50 years ago today.

The resolution notes that Governor Coleman's appointment provided "impetus for other Pacific Islanders to seek greater self government for themselves and their children" and records appreciation for the U.S. government's foresight in "creating this milestone of political development."

Coleman's swearing in as Governor on 16 Oct. 1956 came at the age of 37 ,after he moved to Hawaii at 15 years of age to complete his education. He served in the U.S. army for six years, rising from the rank of private to captain.He was the first Samoan to be inducted into the U.S. Army Officer's Candidate School Hall of Fame at Ft. Benning, Georgia in 1982.

In 1952 after tertiary studies, he returned to American Samoa to work as public defender. In 1955 he was named attorney general, a post he held until his appointment to the Governor's position.

Apart from the Queen of Tonga, Governor Coleman was the only indigenous Pacific Islander to serve as head of government in the Pacific Islands region at the time of his appointment.

His appointment is widely credited with providing inspiration to regional self determination movements. During Governor Coleman's tenure Hawaii achieved statehood, and Western Samoa independence from New Zealand.

After completing his appointive term, Coleman spent almost 17 years in the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, primarily in Marshall Islands and the now-Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.

He returned to American Samoa to serve as the first popularly elected Governor of American Samoa 1978-1985, and was elected a third time in 1988. He is the only person in American history whose service as governor has spanned five decades.
Governor Coleman passed away April 28, 1997.