Tommy Remengesau Jr.
| Tommy Remengesau | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 7th President of Palau | |
|
Assumed office 17 January 2013 |
|
| Vice President |
Antonio Bells Raynold Oilouch |
| Preceded by | Johnson Toribiong |
|
In office 1 January 2001 – 15 January 2009 |
|
| Vice President |
Sandra Pierantozzi Elias Camsek Chin |
| Preceded by | Kuniwo Nakamura |
| Succeeded by | Johnson Toribiong |
| 4th Vice President of Palau | |
|
In office 1 January 1993 – 1 January 2001 |
|
| President | Kuniwo Nakamura |
| Preceded by | Kuniwo Nakamura |
| Succeeded by | Sandra Pierantozzi |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
29 February 1956 Koror, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (now Palau) |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse(s) | Debbie Remengesau |
| Children | 4 |
| Parents |
Thomas Remengesau, Sr. Ferista Esang Remengesau |
| Alma mater | Grand Valley State University |
Thomas Esang "Tommy" Remengesau Jr. (born 29 February 1956) is a Palauan politician who is the current President of Palau. Remengsau was originally president of Palau from 2001 to 2009. He was elected to another four-year term as President in November 2012 and took office on 17 January 2013.
He became Vice-President in 1992 and was elected as President in 2000; he took office on January 1, 2001. He wished to make Palau less dependent upon United States aid, and promoted the expansion and growth of the tourist industry through his policy and slogan of, Preserve the Best and Improve the Rest. The "best" here, being an allusion to Palau's especially gifted and diverse underwater resource in the Micronesian region, and its reputation of being considered among the top in underwater attractions of the world. In Palau's foreign affairs, Remengesau had been active in maintaining Palau's presence in the UN. During his administration the tiny nation of Palau had elevated to becoming known as an unheralded leader amongst the international community through environmental initiatives, such as the Micronesian Challenge and its cooperation with South Pacific Nations in advocating awareness of Global Warming and its effects in the South Pacific Region.
Remengesau was born in Koror, Palau. His father is Thomas Remengesau, Sr., who was District Administrator of Palau during the Trust Territory era and briefly served as Acting President of Palau. His mother, Ferista Esang Remengesau, also served as First Lady of Palau. Remengesau was educated at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, in the United States.
At 28 years old, Remengesau targeted the youth voting bloc of Palau and successfully lobbied for their support, in the process becoming known as one of the forefront advocates for the youth of Palau. Remengesau was then elected in 1984 to the Palau National Congress (Olbiil Era Kelulau), carried by the youth and a grassroots campaign to become the youngest senator in the nation's history at the age of 28. In 1992, he was elected Vice-President and served two terms. In 2000, with the support of outgoing President Kuniwo Nakamura, he won the presidential election, defeating ex-senator Peter Sugiyama by a margin of 52% to 46%. He easily won re-election in 2004, defeating Polycarp Basilius by a margin of 66.5% to 33.5%, in a race dogged with rumors of improper financial influence from Taipei and Beijing.
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