| Richard Flores "Dick" Taitano | |
| Office: | Member of the Guam Legislature |
| Office2: | Chairman of the Democratic Party of Guam |
| Term Start2: | 1967 |
| Term End2: | 1969 |
| Predecessor2: | Jesus U. Torres |
| Successor2: | Joaquin A. Perez |
| Office3: | Deputy High Commissioner for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands |
| Term Start3: | 1964 |
| Term End3: | 1966 |
| Office4: | Director of the Office of the Territories |
| Term Start4: | 1961 |
| Term End4: | 1964 |
| Office5: | Director of the Guam Department of Finance |
| Term Start5: | 1952 |
| Term End5: | 1961 |
| Birth Name: | Richard Flores Taitano |
| Birth Date: | 14 May 1921 |
| Birth Place: | Hagatna |
| Party: | Democratic Party of Guam |
| Spouse: | Magdalena "Maggie" Santos |
| Children: | 3 |
| Education: | George Washington High School |
Richard Flores Taitano known as Dick Taitano (May 14, 1921 - January 4, 1997) was a Democratic Party of Guam politician in Guam. Taitano served as a senator for six terms of the Guam Legislature.[1]
Taitano was born in Hagatna on 14 May 1921 to Juan San Nicolas Taitano and Rosario Sablan Flores of Dededo, Guam.[2]
Taitano graduated from George Washington High School in 1940 and earned a Baccalaureate degree from Berea College in 1949.
Taitano was appointed Director of the Guam Department of Finance and served from 1952 to 1961. Taitano was appointed by President John F. Kennedy to serve as Director of the Office of the Territories and served from 1961 to 1964. Taitano was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson to serve as Deputy High Commissioner for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and he served from 1964 to 1966.
Taitano first successfully ran as a senator in the Guam Legislature in 1966 and was reelected in 1968.[3] Following his unsuccessful bid for Lieutenant in 1970 with Ricardo J. Bordallo, Taitano ran and was elected to four consecutive terms following his return to the legislature in the 1972 election.
| Election | Guam Legislature | General Rank (Votes) | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 9th Guam Legislature | 4 (9,562) | Elected | |
| 1968 | 10th Guam Legislature | 4 (9,468) | Elected | |
| 1972 | 12th Guam Legislature | 12 (10,556) | Elected | |
| 1974 | 13th Guam Legislature | 6 (11,271) | Elected | |
| 1976 | 14th Guam Legislature | 21 | Elected | |
| 1978 | 15th Guam Legislature | 1st District: 5 (3,051) | Elected | |
Ricardo Bordallo ran for Governor with Taitano as his Lieutenant Governor candidate in the 1970 Guam gubernatorial election. After winning the primary election, the ticket was defeated in against the incumbent Republican Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Carlos Camacho and Kurt Moylan.
Taitano died on, at the age of 75.
The Micronesian Area Research Center was named for Richard F. Taitano in 1997.[4]