[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 25, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING DR. JOHN EVANS ATTA MILLS

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 25, 2012

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Dr. 
John Evans Atta Mills, President of the Republic of Ghana. I was 
saddened to hear about the untimely death of President Mills. My 
thoughts, prayers and condolences go to his wife, Ernestina Naadu, son, 
Samuel Kofi Atta Mills and the people of Ghana. The world has lost a 
leader, visionary and champion for democracy.
  President Mills pledged his life to education and the betterment of 
his beloved Ghana. He was born in July 1944 in the Western Region of 
Ghana. He was a master student who began his schooling at the revered 
Achimota Secondary School in Accra. He later went on to earn his 
bachelors and law degrees from the University of Ghana at Legon in 
1967. Upon the completion of his PhD in African and Oriental Studies 
from the University of London, President Mills was selected as a 
Fulbright Scholar at Stanford University School of Law.
  After setting a strong foundation he returned home to educate and 
impart his lessons on the youth. President Mills dedicated nearly 25 
years to higher academia as a professor in numerous areas such as law, 
tax and African studies. He was passionate about teaching and politics. 
First serving in the capacity of Vice President from 1997 through 2001, 
Dr. Mills was sworn in as President and Commander in Chief of the 
Republic of Ghana in January of 2009.
  I join with President Obama and various world leaders as we remember 
President Mills, who was often referred to as a calm politician and 
gentle giant. In 2009, President Obama and the First Family traveled to 
Ghana in his first presidential visit to Sub-Saharan Africa. President 
Obama praised President Mills for making Ghana a ``good news story'' 
that had good democratic credentials. Under the leadership of President 
Mills, the United States and Ghana deepened our partnership in the 
promotion of good governance and economic development.
  President John Evan Atta Mills is credited with leading Ghana through 
a period of stability and economic growth in the midst of unforeseen 
global circumstances. He is quoted as saying ``Every leader has a 
period of service''. Though his service has come to an unexpected end, 
as we reflect upon his life and legacy, we can appreciate his tireless 
efforts that have come to fruition. A shining star in West Africa, 
Ghana was and still remains a trailblazing nation for the region and 
continent, with its strong tradition of democracy. Epitomizing humility 
in leadership, President Mills was a calming and stabilizing force for 
not only his people but the continent as a whole.

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