AP Features, April 4th, 2007
Tosiwo Nakayama, who became the first president of the Federated States of Micronesia and helped his country emerge from U.S. control, has died. He was 75.
Nakayama died Thursday in Hawaii, Micronesian government officials said Tuesday. No cause of death was given.
"We consider him our George Washington," said Tadao Sigrah, the Micronesian consul general in Honolulu who was a former member of Nakayama's presidential staff. "He's one of the founding fathers of the country. He was a real leader."
Nakayama became the nation's first president in May 1979 and went on to serve a second term.
The islands, formerly part of the U.S.-administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, became an independent nation under a Compact of Free Association with the United States in 1986.
With a population of about 107,000, the Federated States of Micronesia consists of 607 islands extending 1,800 miles (2,896 kilometers) across the archipelago of the Caroline Islands.
"Nakayama's leadership, commitment and guidance during the nation's early efforts towards self-government earned him the respect of his colleagues and the people of the Federated States of Micronesia," said a statement released by the president's office. "He is one of the nation's highly revered and deeply respected founding fathers."
Before becoming president, Nakayama served in the Congress of Micronesia and the interim Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia.
Bethwel Henry, the postmaster general of Micronesia, who was the speaker of the House when Nakayama was Senate president, said Nakayama had been ill for a while. Nakayama spent a lot of time in Hawaii for medical treatment and because he wanted to spend his final days with his daughter.
"It's a very big loss," Henry said.
Nakayama's daughter did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.
Nakayama is survived by other children and grandchildren.
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On the Net:
Federated States of Micronesia: http://www.fsmgov.org/
