Andon Amaraich
Encyclopedia
The Honorable Andon L. Amaraich (born August 24, 1932 on the island of Ta, Mortlock Islands
, in what is now Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia
, died January 26, 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii
) was a Micronesian public servant, politician, diplomat and judge. He was, at the time of his death, Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court. He has been described by the Micronesian government as "one of the founding fathers of the Federated States of Micronesia".
, under United States
colonial administration.
From 1976 to 1987, he was chairman the Commission on the Future Political Status and Transition, before being appointed chief negotiator on the Compact of Free Association
with the United States – described as "one of his greatest accomplishments".
As the country prepared for independence, in 1975, he served on the legal staff of the Micronesian Constitutional Convention, "where he personally drafted many of the provisions of the FSM Constitution
".
s Tosiwo Nakayama
and John Haglelgam
. In that function, he "played an instrumental role in developing diplomatic relationships with other nations" around the world, and "almost single-handedly organized the Department of External Affairs".
on the Supreme Court in 1990, then Chief Justice in 1993, following the resignation of Chief Justice Edward C. King. He was only the second Chief Justice in the country's history, and the first Micronesian citizen to hold that post – King being an American
.
As Chief Justice, Amaraich was "an active member" of the Pacific Judicial Council, and also served as Vice Chairman of the Pacific Judicial Development Program Executive Board.
and other complications", Amaraich travelled to Honolulu on January 15 for "medical tests and treatment". He died eleven days later in Straub Clinic & Hospital
.
He will receive a state funeral
.
Mortlock Islands
The name Mortlock Islands can refer to:*Satawan , at in the Caroline Islands, Federated States of Micronesia*Takuu, a Polynesian outlier atoll at , northeast of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea...
, in what is now Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia
Federated States of Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia or FSM is an independent, sovereign island nation, made up of four states from west to east: Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. It comprises approximately 607 islands with c...
, died January 26, 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
) was a Micronesian public servant, politician, diplomat and judge. He was, at the time of his death, Chief Justice
Chief Justice of the Federated States of Micronesia
The Chief Justice of the Federated States of Micronesia is the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court of the Federated States of Micronesia. The position is established in art.XI, section 2 of the federal Constitution....
of the Supreme Court. He has been described by the Micronesian government as "one of the founding fathers of the Federated States of Micronesia".
Studies and public service
Having graduated from the Pacific Islands Central School, Amaraich worked briefly as a primary school teacher in Chuuk from 1951 to 1952, before entering civil service. He was Assistant Clerk to the Truk (Chuuk) District Court from 1955 to 1956, then served for ten years as Chief Public Defender. He subsequently served as Assistant District Administrator for Public Affairs in the government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific IslandsTrust Territory of the Pacific Islands
The Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands was a United Nations trust territory in Micronesia administered by the United States from 1947 to 1986.-History:...
, under United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
colonial administration.
Political career
In 1959, he entered the colonial district legislative Council, before serving in the Chuuk District Senate from 1965 to 1974. There, he served as Chairman on the Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations, as well as being a member of the Ways and Means Committee. From 1962, he was an Advisor to the United States administration in the Trusteeship Council.From 1976 to 1987, he was chairman the Commission on the Future Political Status and Transition, before being appointed chief negotiator on the Compact of Free Association
Compact of Free Association
The Compact of Free Association defines the relationship that three sovereign states—the Federated States of Micronesia , the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau—have entered into as associated states with the United States.Now sovereign nations, the three freely associated...
with the United States – described as "one of his greatest accomplishments".
As the country prepared for independence, in 1975, he served on the legal staff of the Micronesian Constitutional Convention, "where he personally drafted many of the provisions of the FSM Constitution
Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia
-Preamble:-Section One:The FSM comprises the Districts of the Micronesian archipelago that ratified the Constitution. The inter-islandic waters are internal waters regardless of dimensions, and jurisdiction extends to a marine space of 200 miles measured outward from appropriate baselines, the...
".
Diplomatic career
From 1979 to 1990, Amaraich was the first ever Secretary of the F.S. Micronesia's Department of External Affairs, under PresidentPresident of the Federated States of Micronesia
The following is a list of the Presidents of the Federated States of Micronesia:-See also:*High Commissioner of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands...
s Tosiwo Nakayama
Tosiwo Nakayama
Tosiwo Nakayama was the first President of the Federated States of Micronesia. He served two terms from 1979 until 1987....
and John Haglelgam
John Haglelgam
John Haglelgam was the second President of the Federated States of Micronesia. He served from 1987-1991. He is a native of Eauripik Island, Yap.-External links:*...
. In that function, he "played an instrumental role in developing diplomatic relationships with other nations" around the world, and "almost single-handedly organized the Department of External Affairs".
Career as judge
He was appointed Associate JusticeAssociate Justice
Associate Justice or Associate Judge is the title for a member of a judicial panel who is not the Chief Justice in some jurisdictions. The title "Associate Justice" is used for members of the United States Supreme Court and some state supreme courts, and for some other courts in Commonwealth...
on the Supreme Court in 1990, then Chief Justice in 1993, following the resignation of Chief Justice Edward C. King. He was only the second Chief Justice in the country's history, and the first Micronesian citizen to hold that post – King being an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
As Chief Justice, Amaraich was "an active member" of the Pacific Judicial Council, and also served as Vice Chairman of the Pacific Judicial Development Program Executive Board.
Death
Suffering from "pneumoniaPneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
and other complications", Amaraich travelled to Honolulu on January 15 for "medical tests and treatment". He died eleven days later in Straub Clinic & Hospital
Straub Clinic & Hospital
Straub Clinic & Hospital is a medical group based in Honolulu, Hawaii.-History:George F. Straub founded the clinic in 1921. Dr. Straub was educated in Germany and came to practice in Hawaii in 1907. In 1910, he conceived the idea of forming a group of physicians to provide better, more specialized...
.
He will receive a state funeral
State funeral
A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of protocol, held to honor heads of state or other important people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive elements of military tradition...
.