Peter Tali Coleman
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (August 2011) |
| Peter Tali Coleman | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 43rd, 51st & 53rd Governor of American Samoa | |
| In office January 2, 1989 – January 3, 1993 |
|
| Lieutenant | Galea'i Peni Poumele (1989–1992) None (1992–1993) |
| Preceded by | A. P. Lutali |
| Succeeded by | A. P. Lutali |
| In office January 3, 1978 – January 3, 1985 |
|
| Lieutenant | Tufele Liamatua |
| Preceded by | H. Rex Lee |
| Succeeded by | A. P. Lutali |
| In office October 15, 1956 – May 24, 1961 |
|
| Preceded by | Richard Barrett Lowe |
| Succeeded by | H. Rex Lee |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 8, 1919 Pago Pago, American Samoa |
| Died | April 28, 1997 (aged 77) Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Nora Stewart Coleman (1941-1997) |
| Profession | attorney |
Peter Tali Coleman (December 8, 1919 - April 28, 1997) was the first person of Samoan descent to be appointed governor of American Samoa and later became the territory's first popularly elected governor. A member of the Republican Party, he is the only U.S. governor whose service spanned five decades (1956–1961, 1978–1985 and 1989–1993) and one of the longest-serving governors in American history.
Contents |
Background [edit]
Early life and career [edit]
Born in Pago Pago, American Samoa, Coleman graduated from St. Louis High School in Honolulu, Hawaii. He later joined the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of captain during World War II. He received his law degree from Georgetown University, and served in American Samoa both as a public defender in American Samoa and the territory's attorney general.
Coleman was appointed governor of American Samoa in 1956 by President Dwight Eisenhower. At the conclusion of his term, he served a variety of positions in the Pacific Islands, including:
- district administrator for the Marshall Islands
- district administrator for the Marianas Islands
- deputy high commissioner of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and then served as acting high commissioner for one year
In 1977, Coleman became the first popularly elected governor of American Samoa. He was subsequently elected in 1980 and 1988.
Death [edit]
Coleman died in 1997 in Honolulu after a two-year struggle with cancer.
External links [edit]
- Obituary in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin
- New York Times: Peter Coleman, 77, Governor of American Samoa
- Honolulu Advertiser: Nora Stewart Coleman, 85, former first lady of American Samoa
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Richard Barrett Lowe |
Governor of American Samoa (1st Term) 1956–1961 |
Succeeded by H. Rex Lee |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by H. Rex Lee |
Governor of American Samoa (2nd and 3rd Terms) 1978–1985 |
Succeeded by A. P. Lutali |
| Preceded by A. P. Lutali |
Governor of American Samoa (4th Term) 1989–1993 |
Succeeded by A. P. Lutali |
|
||||||||||||||||
