[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 103 (Friday, June 16, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF, PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 16, 2017

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize a world leader for her tireless work in securing peace for 
their home country. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia has 
spent decades advocating for peace and democracy in Liberia. She is a 
role model for all those who believe world peace is achievable through 
public service.
  Throughout her career President Sirleaf has never been afraid to 
stand up and speak out for what she believed was best for Liberians. 
Her career in public service began in 1972 as an assistant minister of 
finance under President William Tolbert. She was forced to flee Liberia 
in 1980 after publicly speaking out against the government of Samuel 
Doe. She returned to Liberia in 1985 to seek public office only to be 
sentenced to ten years in prison for her comments criticizing the 
government. President Sirleaf watched from afar as Liberia was 
terrorized and almost destroyed through two violent civil wars. She 
advocated for Liberians to put down their weapons and come to a 
peaceful resolution to the conflicts that plagued the country.
  In 2005, President Sirleaf was elected by the citizens of Liberia to 
be the country's 24th President, shattering the glass ceiling and 
becoming the first democratically elected female head of state in 
Africa. President Sirleaf has helped her country and its people recover 
from the unrest and violence that preceded her presidency. Her hard 
work and dedication has revived national hope by strengthening the 
institutions of national security and good governance, leading to the 
revitalization of infrastructure within the country along with the 
national economy. President Sirleaf's persistence in transforming the 
image of Liberia has restored the country's credibility and reputation 
on the global stage.
  In 2011, President Sirleaf, among others, was awarded the Nobel Peace 
Prize for her work in advocating for peace, democracy and gender 
equality in Liberia. When the Norwegian Committee granted this prize, 
it was their hope President Sirleaf would help bring an end to the 
suppression of women, to realize the great potential for democracy, and 
to epitomize the peace that women can represent.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate President Sirleaf for working towards 
that goal, for her many accomplishments, and for being a pioneer in 
African politics. She is truly an inspiration to not just the women in 
Liberia, but to women around the world. Because of President Sirleaf, 
the world is stronger, smarter, more diverse, and more equal than it 
has ever been before, and the future of Liberia is forever brighter.

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