Passing of a great Micronesian role model

Posted on Feb 7, 2010 in Blog, Inspirations, Micronesia

I join my fellow Micronesians in mourning the death of one of our founding fathers, the late Chief Justice Andon Amaraich who  passed away on January 26, 2010 at Straub Hospital in Honolulu. Amafel Amaraich was one of the founding fathers of our nation who came from one of the small outer islands in the Mortlocks. Most notable during his long career in public service was his leadership in the negotiation of our treaty called the Compact of Free Association with the U.S., and his personal involvement in drafting the FSM Constitution. He also left his mark on the global community as the first Secretary of the FSM Department of External Affairs before his appointment to the FSM Supreme Court. At a time when Chuuk suffers from seemingly endless negativity, the life and legacy of this great man and public servant shall stand forever as our inspiration.

Our President signed a Proclamation stating our nation’s farewell to a great leader. It states…

“Chief Justice Amaraich’s wholehearted foresight and invaluable role in the Nation began even before her creation. In 1965, Chief Justice Amaraich began his forty years of service for the people of Micronesia when he was elected to the Congress of Micronesia where he served as Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations. He also served as a member of the Micronesian Political Status Negotiations for four years and was Chairman of the Micronesian delegation to the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference. In 1976, he served as the Chairman of the Commission on Future Political Status and Transition and was Chief Negotiator for the FSM in the negotiation of the first Compact of Free Association with the United States. In 1979, upon the emergence of the Federated States of Micronesia, he served as the first Secretary of the Department of External Affairs, where he was instrumental in establishing the FSM overseas missions in Tokyo, Guam, Honolulu, Fiji and Washington D.C. In 1992, he was appointed as an Associate Justice to the Supreme Court of the Federated States of Micronesia. In 1994, he was appointed as the first Micronesian Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Federated States of Micronesia where he determinedly and tirelessly served until his unfortunate passing.

This Proclamation bears the heartfelt condolences of the people of the entire Nation to the family, relatives and friends of the late Andon L. Amaraich as we all join in these despairing moments of grief. His contribution and guidance during his long tenure in the public service has earned him the respect of his colleagues and the people of the Federated States of Micronesia. He will be remembered as one of the ideal leaders who envisioned independence and sovereignty for the Micronesian islands. Leaders and citizens alike will forever remember Chief Justice Amaraich’s tremendous accomplishments to this Nation.”