IN MEMORIUM OF THE LATE
PETER L. SUGIYAMA, FORMER SENATOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF PALAU

Throughout his active, influential life, the Honorable Peter L. Sugiyama touched the lives of many, from his family and friends, to his constituents in the Republic of Palau, to his colleagues in business and in the Government, especially the Olbiil Era Kelulau.

The Honorable Peter L. Sugiyama was a long-standing public servant of the people of Palau. He commenced his public service as a Delegate of Koror State to the First Palau Constitutional Convention in 1979. In 1980, he was elected to serve a one-year term in the Seventh Palau Legislature, before being elected to the First Olbiil Era Kelulau as a Senator representing the State of Koror. In this capacity, he served on the Committees on Resources and Development and Health, Education and Welfare.

From 1989 to 1992, the Honorable Peter L. Sugiyama served in the Third Olbiil Era Kelulau as representative of the Fourth Senatorial District, which consisted of Dngeronger, Medalaii, and Meyuns Hamlets of Koror State. In the Third Olbiil Era Kelulau, Senator Sugiyama served as Floor Leader of the Senate and as the contracting officer.

In 1992, Senator Sugiyama was elected as one of nine Senators from the Second Senatorial District, representing the State of Koror, to serve in the Fourth Olbiil Era Kelulau from 1993 to 1996. Senator Sugiyama was subsequently elected to the position of Senate President by his colleagues, from which position he witnessed the independence of the Republic of Palau and its entry into the international family of the United Nations.

In 1996, the Honorable Peter L. Sugiyama was elected to the Fifth Olbiil Era Kelulau, representing the Second Senatorial District of Koror State for the fourth time. In this capacity, Senator Sugiyama served as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, and served on the Committees on Youth and Human Resources, Tourism Development, and Transportation and Communication. Senator Sugiyama also represented the Senate in the Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union.

The Honorable Peter L. Sugiyama was born Peter Lawrence Naoya Sugiyama on April 19, 1943 to Hayato Sugiyama and Rosang Sayoko Serek. He attended Koror Elementary School and Mindszenty Intermediate School (now Mindszenty High School) in the Republic of Palau, and graduated from Xavier High School in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia. He then went on to attend the University of Guam, where he earned his bachelor degrees in Political Science and History in 1967 and in Sociology and Public Administration in 1968. He also attended a six-month federal program at the Leadership Management Institute at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

In his working career, the Honorable Peter L. Sugiyama accumulated a vast array of professional experience, one of which was proprietorship of his own companies, including PCS Space Rental and Services and Palau Community Store. He was employed by the Guam Service Center and later by the NYC Manpower Training Program in Palau, serving as Director of the Program from 1969 to 1970.

From 1970 until his election to the First Olbiil Era Kelulau, the Honorable Peter L. Sugiyama served as: Vice Chairman of the Palau Economic Development Planning Council; Vice Chairman of the T.T. Coconut Processing Council; Chairman of the Palau Public Lands Authority; and Executive Director of the Palau Community Action Agency. He was also active in various organizations, including membership in the Palau War Claims Commission, Palau Health Planning Council, T.T. Health Planning Council, and Palau Foreign Investment Board. He was also an active member and Chairman of the JTPA Private Industry Council, as well as member and chairman of the Private Industry Council SJTCC.

For many years, the Honorable Peter L. Sugiyama was also extremely active in the affairs of his local community in Meyuns, Koror, including sponsoring teams for baseball, basketball and volleyball.

The Honorable Peter L. Sugiyama passed away on Sunday, June 10, 2007 after a long illness. He is survived by his wife, the Honorable Akiko C. Bedor Sugiyama, Governor of Ngardmau State; his sons Clarence and Wayne; his daughter Sarah Lynn; his sisters Michie and Yosie; and his brothers Nobuya, John Takaya, George, and Singeru.

The funeral service is scheduled for Friday, June 22, 2007 at Bai Era Ngeremlengui, Ngermetengel, State of Ngeremlengui, Republic of Palau.

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