Peter Tali Coleman
Encyclopedia
Peter Tali Coleman 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 the second longest serving governor in American history.
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:
In 1977, Coleman became the first popularly elected governor of American Samoa. He was subsequently elected in 1980 and 1988.
Coleman died in 1997 in Honolulu after a two-year struggle with cancer.
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of American Samoa
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of 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 the second longest serving governor in American history.
Born in Pago Pago, American Samoa, Coleman graduated from St. Louis High School in Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
. He later joined the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of captain during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He received his law degree from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
, 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
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of 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 IslandsMarshall IslandsThe Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
- district administrator for the Marianas Islands
- deputy high chief of the Trust Territory of the Pacific IslandsTrust Territory of the Pacific IslandsThe Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands was a United Nations trust territory in Micronesia administered by the United States from 1947 to 1986.-History:...
In 1977, Coleman became the first popularly elected governor of American Samoa. He was subsequently elected in 1980 and 1988.
Coleman died in 1997 in Honolulu after a two-year struggle with cancer.