[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 137 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF DR. HENRY (HARRY) MONIBA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. NICK SMITH

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 6, 2004

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I rise 
today in honor of Dr. Henry (Harry) Moniba, former Vice President of 
Liberia. Dr. Moniba died suddenly on November 23, 2004, as a result of 
an automobile accident.
  He was born in Liberia on October 22, 1937. Dr. Moniba earned a 
Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education in 1964, a Masters 
degree in Secondary Education from SUNY, participated in a post-Masters 
program in International Relations and European Studies at NYU, and as 
a Fulbright Scholar, earned a Ph.D. in International Relations and 
African Studies at Michigan State University.
  He began his professional career as an educator. A strong believer in 
the power of a good education, Dr. Moniba once stated: ``If you think 
education is expensive, then, try ignorance''. He served in various 
capacities in the education field, from classroom teacher to Director 
of Research at the Ministry of Education in Monrovia, Liberia.
  Dr. Moniba had a long and distinguished career in public service. He 
served as First Secretary and Consul for the Embassy of Liberia in 
Washington, D.C., and Ottawa, Canada from 1976-1980; from 1981-1984, he 
served as Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for European Affairs, 
Liberia; he was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the 
Republic of Liberia, to the Court of St. James in London, England, the 
Vatican, and the Sovereign Military Order Malta, in Rome from 1981-
1984. In 1984, he was appointed Vice President of the Interim National 
Assembly Government of Liberia, and in 1985, elected to the office of 
Vice President of Liberia. In 1994, he was awarded the Human Rights 
Award from the Liberian Human Rights Chapter.
  Dr. Moniba loved his country, and worked tirelessly to establish 
peace and prosperity for Liberia. He understood well the true role of a 
politician in a democratic society, and said: ``The objective of the 
good politician cannot, therefore, be the acquisition of power for its 
own sake or at and cost. What he wants is a healthy political 
environment in which he and his fellow citinens can lead a fulfilling 
life.'' At the time of his death, Dr. Moniba was one of the leading 
candidates for the 2005 Liberian presidential eption.
  I join his family and his many admirers throughout the world in 
mourning his passing. May his tireless commitment to his homeland and 
the advancement of peace and democracy in Liberia stand as a timeless 
memorial to him. May God bless him and his family, and may he rest in 
peace.

                          ____________________