President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. issued a presidential proclamation to honor Former Peleliu State Governor Uchelsias Yukio Mengirarou Shmull, Peleliu state’s first governor, who passed away on June 9, 2018.
Remengesau, through his proclamation on June 19, ordered that all flags should be flown at half-mast starting June 20 for a period of five days to give honor to the deceased.
“The passing of the late Uchelsias Yukio M. Shmull is a great loss for his family, the people of the State of Peleliu, and the people of the Republic of Palau,” the proclamation read.
The late Uchelsias Yukio Shmull served as the first governor of Peleliu State from 1983 to 1985. In 1996 to 1998, he became the Speaker of the Peleliu State Legislature. He was also bestowed the chiefly title of Uchelsias of Ngesias Hamlet of Peleliu in 2011.
“Not only was the late Uchelsias Yukio M. Shmull dedicated to the people of the State of Peleliu; he also dedicated his time and effort to serving the Republic of Palau in numerous public positions including serving as Supervisor of the national government’s Property and Supply Division from 1963 to 1967; Chairman and Member of the Palau Maritime Authority from 1982 to 1992; Vice Chairman and Member of the Foreign Investment Board from 1978 to 1980; Member of the Board of Directors of Palau National Communications Corporation from 1982 to 1985; Member of the Board of Directors of the Belau Nation Museum since 2009; and Member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association,” the proclamation stated.