About the President
Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr.
President Tommy Esang Remengesau, Jr., is one of Palau's most youthful and energetic leaders. He began his political career as the youngest Senator ever elected to the Palau National Congress (the Olbiil Era Kelulau) in 1984 at the age of 28. He also holds the distinction of being the youngest Palauan ever elected to the Office of the Vice President in 1992. His re-election to the Office of the Vice President in 1996, and his recent election to the Office of the President is a mark of his vitality and his commitment to his promise to the People of Palau to work hard to "preserve the best, and improve the rest" for Palau, today and for generations to come.
President-Elect Tommy Esang Remengesau, Jr., was born on February 28, 1956, in Koror, Palau. As the eldest of eight children born to Mr. Thomas O. Remengesau, Sr., and Ferista Esang Remengesau, "Tommy" has followed in his distinguished father's footsteps. Thomas Sr. served as Palau's first District Administrator for 12 years. He also served the Republic as the Minister of Justice, and later as Vice President, finally serving as the President of the Republic, completing former President Salii's term.
In 1984, he was elected to the Senate of the Second Olbiil Era Kelulau, representing the then First Senatorial District. Later he was re?elected to the Senate of the Third Olbiil Era Kelulau. During both terms, he served as Chairman of the powerful Committee on Ways and Means and was instrumental in helping to erase Palau's outstanding budget deficit and bring about financial stability and credibility.
The President-Elect's keen budgetary sense served him well in his first term as Vice President, during which he concurrently held the position of Minister of Administration (Finance). Under the then Vice-President's able leadership, all prior year debts of the Republic of Palau were retired, while numerous reforms improved fiscal efficiency and increased revenue collections, restoring faith in Palau's National Treasury. In 1998, the then Vice-President efforts also resulted in the Republic's official membership in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.
As Vice-President, The President served as Chairman of several key Committees. While Chairing the Compact of Free Association Transition Commission, he steered the newly independent Republic of Palau through an orderly transition. As Chairman of the Disaster Plan Task Force, he led the Republic in its return to "normalcy" following the disastrous collapse of the KB Bridge. He also served as the standing Chairman of the National Emergency Committee. In this emergency capacity, the President-Elect directed the Republic's efforts to combat the Y2K Millennium Bug.
The Vice-President was elected as the President of the Republic of Palau and was sworn into office on January 1, 2001.