[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 63 (Monday, May 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   MALAWI PRESIDENT JOYCE BANDA SWEARING-IN ADDRESS ON APRIL 7, 2012

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                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 7, 2012

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit the April 7, 2012 
swearing-in address by Malawi President Joyce Banda.

       This is a unique occasion.
       May his soul rest in peace.
       I am not here to give a long speech considering the 
     circumstances we are in. Let us focus on mourning our father, 
     former President Mutharika.
       I also would like to report to all you people that this 
     afternoon I had a cabinet meeting. We felt the holy spirit in 
     that room. It was a good meeting, as a nation we should 
     realize that, because it was significant and marks a starting 
     point for healing the wounds of this nation . . .
       I thank you all for showing me great humility and honor as 
     I accept the huge responsibility. I also thank you all for 
     the peaceful transition and I appeal to the nation to mourn 
     the former president with dignity and thank all of you who 
     have come to witness this occasion from all walks of life, 
     irrespective of political, spiritual, regional backgrounds . 
     . .
       I want to ask all of us to move into the future with hope 
     and the spirit of oneness and unity. I sincerely hope there 
     is no room for revenge, that we shall stand united . . .
       As a God fearing nation we shall allow God to come before 
     us because if we do not do that, we have failed.

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