Read in Chuukese – Acheman Amafen Yosio Palikuun George
On August 14th, 2022, the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) announced, with great sadness, that the Honorable Yosiwo Palikkun George, Vice President of the FSM, passed away. Vice President Yosiwo Palikkun George dedicated his life to the service of this Nation with unquestionable leadership and integrity. Committed to a free and sovereign Micronesia, he dedicated his whole life to building the Nation’s prosperity. He was, in his personal and professional life, “a friend to all and an enemy to none” and extended “to all peoples and nations peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in our common humanity.”
Yosiwo Palikkun George was born in Kosrae July 24th, 1941. After elementary school in Kosrae, he attended intermediate school in Pohnpei and graduated from Pacific Island Central School in 1963. Transferring from the College of Guam and participating in an exchange program at the University of New Mexico, Yosiwo Palikkun George graduated from the University of Hawaii with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1969. In his early career, he worked as an engineer for the Pohnpei Transportation Authority, classroom teacher at Kolonia Elementary School, and Social Security manager in Saipan for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
Yosiwo Palikkun George maintained an interest in education, health, and community services throughout his life. He had a long and distinguished career as the first Lieutenant Governor of Kosrae (1979 – 1980), Director of the Department of Social Services, Governor of Kosrae (1983 – 1991), and Ambassador of the FSM to the UN (1992-1995). Inspired by his international service, YPG ran for a seat in the 10th FSM Congress. He served as a Senator for four years and then Chief Justice for Kosrae State’s Supreme Court, serving until 2006. After several years as the Administrator for the MiCare health insurance program, he was appointed FSM Ambassador to the US, with accreditation to the State of Israel. In May 2015, Yosiwo Palikkun George was elected and sworn into office as the eighth Vice President of the FSM, in partnership with President Peter M Christian. He was elected Vice President again where he served with President David W Panuelo until his death.
On July 19th, 2022, the FSM Government became aware of multiple cases of COVID-19 in the communities of the State of Kosrae and the State of Pohnpei. The Government confirmed on July 24th that the Vice President was hospitalized in the State of Pohnpei, positive with COVID-19. Though he was testing negative for covid and released from the hospital on July 29th, he began showing signs of weakness a few days later and returned to the hospital on August 1st. As of August 14th, there had been more than 7000 cases and 19 covid-related deaths. Officials familiar with the Vice President’s health status expressed deep worry for his worsening condition in his last weeks. The Vice President wished to travel to Kosrae so as to be with his family. In our sadness, we send him to God with love, mourning with our brothers and sisters in the Federated States of Micronesia. May he rest now in his beautiful Islands of Kosrae. May this pandemic let off with these last outbreaks and stop taking beloved friends, elders and leaders from our communities.