Through Presidential Proclamation No. 10-27, Toribiong bestowed upon Remengasau Sr. the Outstanding Citizenship Award in front of hundreds of people who witnessed the opening ceremony.
“By the power vested in me as President of the Republic of Palau, I bestow upon Thomas O. Remengasau, Sr. the distinctive honor of an Outstanding Citizen of Republic of Palau,” Toribiong said.
Remengasau Sr., assisted by his daughter Thelma Ngirameketii, received the award on behalf of all those who were involved in his life.
“I’m still adjusting to what happened just now, so if I stumble along the way, you would understand,” the former President said in his acceptance speech.
He shared the honor to his fellow Palauans, his family and colleagues. “Mr. President, thank you for this honor,” he said.
Remengasau Sr. was born on Novemeber 28, 1929 in Ngaraard Village. He attended Japanese School in Ngaraard and further completed his Japanese education in Koror in 1942. After World War II, he attended the Post-War American school system in Ngaraard and went on to complete his early American school in Koror from 1947 to 1949.
He further attended George Washington High School in Guam from 1951 to 53.
In 1955, he received a United Nations Fellowship Scholarship in Public Administration in Western Samoa, and attended University of Hawaii from 1956 to 1957.
In summer of 1957 he returned to Palau and became Economic Development Adviser and member of Koror Municipal Council.
In 1961 he went back to Hawaii to finish his final two years at the University of Hawaii. He majored in Public Administration.
Returning home from University of Hawaii, he became the assistant Administrator for Public Affairs.
In 1970 he was appointed to be the District Administrator Chief Executive Officer of Palau District until 1979.
From 1979 to 1981, he resided in Saipan and worked as a Deputy Director for Planning and Statistics Office of the High Commission.
From 1981 to 1986 he became the Minister of Justice for the Palau Constitution Government where he implemented policies and procedures that are being utilized until today. And from 1986 to 1988, he was the country’s vice president and Minister of Ministry of Justice.
In 1988, by succession, he became the President of Palau to serve the remaining terms of late President Lazarus Salii. He served as the President, Vice-president and Minister of Justice of Palau at the same time that time.
He retired by the end of 1988 where he eventually became the Traditional Paramount High Chief of Ngaraard State. Since then he serves as Chairman of the House of Chiefs of Ngaraard State and member of Palau’s Council of Chiefs from 1989 to present.
Remengasau Sr. is listed in the Dictionary of International Biography in recognition of his services to the government and people of Palau.
//
