Hagåtña, Guam – Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio issue the following statements on the passing of former Senior Judge Pro Tempore Richard H. Benson:

“We join the island of Guam in mourning the passing of former Senior Judge Pro Tempore Richard H. Benson, who committed his life to carving out the pillars of justice for our island and who was dedicated to developing local judicial leadership for all of Micronesia,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Judge Benson served our nation for ten years in the Navy and summoned his spirit of goodness to fight against religious discrimination and racism at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. When he made Guam his home, we were not only gifted with his innate jurist abilities, but we also gained a genuine man of faith and a fighter for all people.”

“A harbinger of historic judicial progress for over 40 years in the Pacific, Judge Benson was one of the first judges of the Superior Court of Guam and the first Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Federated States of Micronesia,” added Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio. “Those who were blessed to work closely with him will remember his characteristic congeniality and the endearing humility of his soul. Our island has truly lost a giant of our judiciary, and with our condolences and prayers, we extend our most heartfelt sympathies to his family and loved ones.”

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