Joseph J. Urusemal
Encyclopedia
Joseph John "Joe" Urusemal (born March 19, 1952) is a Micronesian
political figure who served as the sixth President of the Federated States of Micronesia
from 2003 until 2007.
Urusemal is married to Olania Latileilam, who is from Satawal
. The couple have four children: B.J., Tarsis, Craig and Elenita.
in the State of Yap
. He attended secondary school on the island of Chuuk
(then called Truk) at Xavier High School, a Jesuit institution. He would graduate from Xavier in 1976.
Urusemal went on to attend and graduate from Rockhurst University
(then called Rockhurst College) in Kansas City
, Missouri, United States. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration of Justice from Rockhurst, a Roman Catholic Jesuit university
. Upon graduation, Urusemal accepted a position with the Jackson County, Missouri
, government, including the county Department of Corrections until he returned to Micronesia in 1982.
Following his return to Micronesia, Urusemal became a teacher and guidance counselor for the Outer Islands High School on his native Yap.
for twelve years during the Seventh until the Twelfth FSM congresses.
During his political career representing Yap, Urusemal served on several congressional committees including Health, Education and Social Affairs and the Judiciary and Governmental Operations committees.
The president and vice president of the Federated States of Micronesia are elected directly by Congress and must be a duly elected member at the time of election. Due to the defeat of the then-incumbent president, Leo Falcam, in the previous elections, Falcam was unable to stand for re-election. On May 11, 2003, Congress elected Urusemal as President and he took office immediately.
On May 11, 2007, the 15th Congress convened. A new presidential election
was held and Manny Mori
was elected president. He likewise took office immediately.
Federated States of Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia or FSM is an independent, sovereign island nation, made up of four states from west to east: Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. It comprises approximately 607 islands with c...
political figure who served as the sixth President of the Federated States of Micronesia
President of the Federated States of Micronesia
The following is a list of the Presidents of the Federated States of Micronesia:-See also:*High Commissioner of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands...
from 2003 until 2007.
Urusemal is married to Olania Latileilam, who is from Satawal
Satawal
Satawal is a solitary coral atoll of one island located at in the Caroline Islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district in Yap State in the Federated States of Micronesia...
. The couple have four children: B.J., Tarsis, Craig and Elenita.
Early life
Urusemal was born on the island of WoleaiWoleai
Woleai is a coral atoll of twenty-two islands in the eastern Caroline Islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district in Yap State in the Federated States of Micronesia and is located approximately west-northwest of Ifalik and northeast of Eauripik...
in the State of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
. He attended secondary school on the island of Chuuk
Chuuk
Chuuk — formerly Truk, Ruk, Hogoleu, Torres, Ugulat, and Lugulus — is an island group in the south western part of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia , along with Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. Chuuk is the most populous of the FSM's...
(then called Truk) at Xavier High School, a Jesuit institution. He would graduate from Xavier in 1976.
Urusemal went on to attend and graduate from Rockhurst University
Rockhurst University
Rockhurst University is a private, coeducational Jesuit university located in Kansas City, Missouri, founded in 1910 as Rockhurst College. The school adheres to the motto etched into the stone of the campus bell tower: "Learning, Leadership, and Service in the Jesuit Tradition." It is one of 28...
(then called Rockhurst College) in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, Missouri, United States. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration of Justice from Rockhurst, a Roman Catholic Jesuit university
Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities is a consortium of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities and two theological centers in the United States committed to advancing academic excellence by promoting and coordinating collaborative activities, sharing resources, and advocating and...
. Upon graduation, Urusemal accepted a position with the Jackson County, Missouri
Jackson County, Missouri
Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. With a population of 674,158 in the 2010 census, Jackson County is the second most populous of Missouri's counties, after St. Louis County. Kansas City, the state's most populous city and focus city of the Kansas City Metropolitan...
, government, including the county Department of Corrections until he returned to Micronesia in 1982.
Following his return to Micronesia, Urusemal became a teacher and guidance counselor for the Outer Islands High School on his native Yap.
Political career
Urusemal was elected to four year term in the Fifth Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia in 1987. He was elected as Yap's at-large representative. Urusemal rose to leadership positions during his parliamentary career. He served as Floor LeaderFloor Leader
Floor Leaders are leaders of their political parties in each of the houses of the legislature.- Senate :In the United States Senate, they are elected by their respective party conferences to serve as the chief Senate spokesmen for their parties and to manage and schedule the legislative and...
for twelve years during the Seventh until the Twelfth FSM congresses.
During his political career representing Yap, Urusemal served on several congressional committees including Health, Education and Social Affairs and the Judiciary and Governmental Operations committees.
The president and vice president of the Federated States of Micronesia are elected directly by Congress and must be a duly elected member at the time of election. Due to the defeat of the then-incumbent president, Leo Falcam, in the previous elections, Falcam was unable to stand for re-election. On May 11, 2003, Congress elected Urusemal as President and he took office immediately.
On May 11, 2007, the 15th Congress convened. A new presidential election
Micronesian presidential election, 2007
Indirect presidential elections were held in the Federated States of Micronesia on May 11, 2007.Incumbent President Joseph Urusemal, was defeated for re-election by challenger Manny Mori at the opening session of the newly elected 15th Congress of Micronesia.The Congress also elected Alik L. Alik...
was held and Manny Mori
Manny Mori
Emanuel "Manny" Mori is the current President of the Federated States of Micronesia. He was elected by the nation's Congress on May 11, 2007 and sworn in the same day....
was elected president. He likewise took office immediately.