In a Special Session of the Senate on April 25, 2007, Senator Surangel S. Whipps was unanimously elected to the position of Senate President following the introduction of Senate Resolution 7-114 by Senator Joshua Koshiba. The new Senate President was immediately sworn in by Judge Ronald Rdechor of the Palau Land Court.

Senate President Surangel Whipps is serving his second term as Senator of the Republic of Palau. His sincere desire to see Palau developed for and in the interest of Palauans allowed him to serve as a four-term member of the House of Delegates, prior to winning his first bid for a senatorial seat in November 2000 as the highest vote-getter in Palau's first nationwide senatorial race.

Senate President Whipps was re-elected to the Senate of the Seventh Olbiil Era Kelulau in the November 2004 general election, once again leading with the most votes nationwide. He served as Senate President from January to April 2005 and later served as a member of the Senate Committees on Judiciary & Governmental Affairs and Foreign Relations (JGAFR) and Ways & Means and Financial Matters (WMFM).

Senator Whipps was born in Airai State and completed his elementary education in Palau before going to Guam for high school. He served as a medic in the U.S. Army from 1964-1966 and later enrolled in the University of Baltimore, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management in 1971.

While living in the United States, Senate President Whipps met and married his wife of 34 years, the former Marilyn Mason. They were blessed with three sons, Surangel, Jr., Mason and Eric, and daughter Irang.

Senate President Whipps returned to Palau in 1972 and gained valuable business experience as manager of Palau Fisheries Coop., co-founder of WHYS Restaurant, a popular eatery in the mid-70's located at the present-day Rock Island Cafe, and as Assistant Manager for Micronesian Industrial Corporation (MIC).

Having always loved the ocean and the beauty of his country, it was fitting that Senate President Whipps' first attempt at opening his own business would be a dive tour operation which he began in the late 70's. It was at this time that he became an active member of the Save Palau Organization, which successfully halted the oil superport plan for Palau at that time.

In 1980 the Senate President founded Surangel and Sons' Company, a small grocery store with the goal of bringing quality products to the people of Palau at reasonable costs. Since then, the company has grown into one of the largest and most comprehensive providers of goods and services in Palau. His sons now run the business.

Senate President Whipps began his political career in 1982 when he was elected to serve as Executive Officer for his home State of Ngatpang. In 1984, he was elected by the people of Ngatpang to serve as their Delegate in the Second Olbiil Era Kelulau, and ran unopposed in the following three terms. He served as Chairman of various committees throughout his 16 years in the House of Delegates and his colleagues elected him unanimously to the Speakership of the Fourth Olbiil Era Kelulau from 1992-1996.

Senate President Whipps is an avid world traveler and has visited dozens of countries providing him with a global perspective. He still enjoys fishing and scuba diving, and one of his greatest desires is to preserve Palau's natural beauty for future generations.

Senate President Surangel S. Whipps
The Senate of the Seventh Olbiil Era Kelulau
P.O. Box 8
Koror, Republic of Palau  96940
Email — senate@palaunet.com