Peter Tali Coleman Lecture on Pacific Public Policy

The Center for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies hosts the occasional lecture, the Peter Tali Coleman Lecture on Pacific Public Policy.

Peter Tali Coleman, a Georgetown University trained lawyer, was first appointed governor of American Samoa in 1956 by President Eisenhower for a four-year term. In 1978, Coleman successfully sought popular election as governor and served until 1985, and then again from 1989 to 1993. He also served as district administrator for the Marshall Islands, as well as the Marianas Islands.  From 1960 to 1977 Coleman served as the deputy high commissioner of the US Trust Territories.

Born in Pago Pago in 1919, Coleman served in the US Army in World War II. In December 1941 he was stationed on Oahu at Schofield Barracks. During the attack his vehicle was strafed. Coleman also served in Guadalcanal and retired as Captain. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a law degree both from Georgetown University. He passed away in 1997. His daughter, Congresswoman Amata Radewagen, was elected as American Samoa’s representative in 2014.

The Coleman Lecture has featured prominent leaders and scholars of the Pacific.  These have included:

• the Honorable David Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia
• the Honorable Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Prime Minister of Samoa
• the Honorable Tommy Esang Remengesau, Jr., President of Palau
• Fr. Fran Hezel, S.J.
• Kristie L. Ebi, Ph.D., MPH, University of Washington.