- Amata Kabua
Amata Kabua (1928 –
20 December 1996 ) was the first President of theMarshall Islands from 1979 to 1996 (five consecutive terms).Amata Kabua began his career as a school
teacher before becoming chief of Majuro and ralik chain of the Marshall Islands, and later president of the Marshall Islands. He had been a principal paticipant in the negotiations to gain independence for the Marshall Islands. He also wrote the words and music for thenational anthem , "Forever Marshall Islands".Kabua is the son of a prominent Japanese businessman and a Marshallese mother, who was the daughter of a paramount chieftain. [cite book|title=Asia in the Pacific Islands|author=Ron Crocombe|origyear=2007|pages=113|publisher=
University of the South Pacific , Institute of Pacific Studies|isbn=9820203880] He died while still president, but after a long illness, inHawaii .References
External links
* [http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/ERC/briefing/press_statements/9612/961220ps1.html US Department of State announcement of his death]
* [http://www.nationalanthems.info/mh.htm National anthem]
* [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D04E2D71F31F935A15751C1A960958260&scp=2&sq=micronesia+and+dies&st=nyt New York Times: Amata Kabua, 68, President Of Marshall Islands, Is Dead]
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