"WHEREAS, with deep sympathy and regret I announce the passing of a great leader and public servant, the Honorable Luke Masaharu Tman from the State of Yap who was called to his eternal rest on July 12, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Honorable Tman was born on January 18, 1938 in Ngeremlengui, Palau. He was educated at St. Mary in Yap, PICS, and University of Guam before he joined the Trust Territory Government as an Editorial Assistant in 1962. In 1968, the High Commissioner appointed him as Chief of Civic Affairs, a position he held until his appointment in 1972 as District Administrator for Yap District; and
WHEREAS, Honorable Tman was elected in 1973 to and served as Floor Leader of the House of Representative of the Congress of Micronesia. He was again elected to the newly formed FSM Congress in 1979 to 1983. Honorable Tman's stint in FSM Congress included his having served as Floor Leader, his active participation during the countless deliberations at Congressional committees and his contribution in international and regional conferences such as Law of the Sea and Political and Maritime negotiations; and
WHEREAS, Honorable Tman was not only a national figure, he also served key positions in the State of Yap. Between 1983 and 2004, he was a Special Consultant to the Yap State government, a law clerk, and a judge for the Yap State Court. He served with pride and excellence in all those positions; and
WHEREAS, Honorable Tman is survived by five children, Mark F. DeYoung, John Fanamus Fritz, Debra R. Ngirrarois, Matthew Roboma, and Anthony Gwor and a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, the passing of Honorable Tman is a great loss to the State of Yap and to the whole Nation as well. The Nation remembers him as a great public servant and an outstanding leader.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Manny Mori, President of the Federated States of Micronesia, hereby proclaim a national mourning in honor of the late Honorable Luke Masaharu Tman, commencing on July 28, 2009 and ending on July 31, 2009, during which period the national Flag of the Federated States of Micronesia shall be displayed at half-mast throughout the Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I set my hand on this 23rd day of July, 2009."
President Mori has appointed the former Postmaster General, The Honorable Bethwel Henry, as Special Envoy of the National Government to attend the State Funeral on July 29th, 2009, while the President is attending the France-Oceania Summit meeting in New Caledonia.
