[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E930]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        ON THE PASSING OF AMBASSADOR SARATA OTTRA ZIRIGNON-TOURE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G. K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 2009

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I report 
to the House of Representatives that Cote d'Ivoire's roving Ambassador 
Sarata Ottra Zirignon-Toure suddenly passed away on April 9, 2009. I 
have had the distinct pleasure of working with Ambassador Zirignon-
Toure on the establishing the Congressional Caucus on Cote d'Ivoire. 
She proved instrumental in the establishment of the Caucus, which 
focuses on issues in West Africa, specifically the pending elections 
and peace efforts in Cote d'Ivoire.
  For decades Ambassador Zirignon-Toure has been at the forefront of 
Cote d'Ivoire's political landscape--as a freedom fighter, advocate for 
democracy and leader in the women's movement. Her commitment landed her 
in jail in 1970 with a group of fellow activists who are now key 
members of government, including President Laurent Gbagbo. When their 
party, the Ivorian Popular Front, was recognized as the official 
opposition in 1990, she was named to the shadow cabinet, eventually 
receiving the foreign affairs portfolio.
  A linguist, teacher and child psychologist by training, Ambassador 
Zirignon-Toure served President Gbagbo as deputy chief of staff since 
his election in 2000. She served as a roving envoy and troubleshooter 
with a special focus on relations with the United States. Her academic 
credentials include degrees and diplomas earned in the United Kingdom 
and Cote d'Ivoire. She worked for several years as a translator in New 
York and for the U.S. Foreign Broadcasting Information Service at the 
embassy in Abidjan.
  Her intellect and leadership is most certainly a loss to Cote 
d'Ivoire and the United States. She will be remembered for her powerful 
advocacy in the United States on behalf of all Ivorian people.
  On behalf of the Congressional Caucus on Cote d'Ivoire, I offer my 
sincere condolences to Ambassador Zirignon-Toure's family, President 
Gbagbo and the people of Cote d'Ivoire.

                          ____________________