Bethwel Henry | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Speaker of the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia | |
| In office May 10, 1979 – May 11, 1987 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Jack Fritz |
| Member of the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia | |
| In office May 10, 1979 – May 11, 1987 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Leo Falcam |
| Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands | |
| In office 1966 – May 10, 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Dwight Heine |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Member of the House of Representatives of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands | |
| In office 1964 – May 10, 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Speaker of the Pohnpei District Legislature | |
| In office 1959–? | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Deputy Speaker of the Pohnpei District Legislature | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Member of the Pohnpei District Legislature | |
| In office 1959–1969 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Postmaster General of the Federated States of Micronesia | |
| In office 1988–2007 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 3, 1934 Mokil Atoll, Pohnpei State, South Seas Mandate |
| Died | December 16, 2020 (aged 86) |
| Education | University of Hawaiʻi |
Bethwel Henry (March 3, 1934 – December 16, 2020) was a Micronesian politician. He was a leading figure in establishing the Federated States of Micronesia and served as the nation's first Speaker of the Congress.
Born on Mokil Atoll, Henry graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi in 1959 and was the first Micronesian to receive a degree in his field. Soon after, he was elected to his district's legislature, being named its first speaker. He was elected unopposed to the Congress of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in 1964 and was chosen Speaker of the House in 1966.
An advocate for Micronesian independence, Henry negotiated with the American government and helped the territory achieve independence in 1979. He then became a member of the new nation's Congress and was elected Speaker, a position he served in until 1987. He later served as the Micronesian Postmaster General.