Kessai Hesa Note (born August 7, 1950 in Ailinglaplap) is a former President of the Marshall Islands, having served from 2000 to 2008.Having served as Speaker of Parliament since 1988, he was elected President in 2000, and was the first commoner (rather than a traditional chief) to be elected to the Presidency. He is a member of the United Democratic Party, and was reelected by parliament in January 2004, receiving 20 votes, while Justin deBrum received 9.