[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 179 (Tuesday, November 13, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H9491-H9493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




AFFIRMING STRONG UNITED STATES-LIBERIA TIES AND SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIC 
                               PRINCIPLES

  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1055) to affirm strong United States-
Liberia ties and support for democratic principles, and call for full 
implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 
recommendations, including the establishment of an Extraordinary 
Criminal Tribunal for Liberia.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1055

       Whereas today the United States is home to an estimated 
     80,000 people of Liberian ancestry in vibrant communities 
     across the country, who have been instrumental in America's 
     efforts to build a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous 
     Liberia;
       Whereas Liberia and the United States share close 
     historical, political, and economic ties over the course of a 
     nearly 200-year relationship;
       Whereas the people and Government of the United States have 
     a deep interest in Liberia's democratic stability and 
     postconflict development;
       Whereas the civil war from 1991 to 2002 resulted in the 
     death of over 200,000 people in Sierra Leone and Liberia, the 
     displacement of over 1,000,000 persons, and the horrific 
     cases of amputations, mass rape, and human rights abuses 
     conducted under the leadership of Charles Taylor;
       Whereas Charles Taylor was convicted through the Special 
     Court for Sierra Leone for 11 different charges of war 
     crimes, crimes against humanity, such as rape, sexual abuse, 
     and slavery, and violation of international law, including 
     the use of child soldiers;
       Whereas a comprehensive peace agreement was signed by the 
     Government of Liberia, rebel groups, and political parties in 
     2003;
       Whereas the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as 
     established under the 2003

[[Page H9492]]

     comprehensive peace agreement, was formally created in 2005 
     with a mandate ``to promote national peace, security, unity 
     and reconciliation by investigating gross human rights 
     violations and violations of humanitarian law, sexual 
     violations, and economic crimes that occurred between January 
     1979 and October 2003'';
       Whereas the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released a 
     report in December 2008 recommending the establishment of an 
     Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal for Liberia and listed 
     individuals, corporations, and institutions recommended for 
     further investigation and prosecution, among other 
     recommendations;
       Whereas the Government of Liberia has not fully implemented 
     the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Agreement 
     to date, including the establishment of an Extraordinary 
     Criminal Tribunal;
       Whereas Liberia experienced its first democratic and 
     peaceful transition of power since 1944 after President Ellen 
     Johnson Sirleaf respected constitutional term limits and 
     George Weah defeated Vice President Joseph Boakai following a 
     runoff during the 2017 Presidential elections;
       Whereas the United States congratulated the people of 
     Liberia on the successful conclusion of the Presidential 
     runoff election and recognized the important role Liberia's 
     Supreme Court, political parties, security forces, and civil 
     society organizations played in holding a peaceful and 
     transparent contest; and
       Whereas the United States Government and American citizens 
     have invested in Liberia to rebuild and support democratic 
     institutions, postconflict recovery, economic growth, 
     improved access to education and health care, 
     professionalization of the country's military and civilian 
     security forces, and efforts to foster accountability and 
     transparency of government institutions: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) upholds its commitment to maintain and foster the 
     enduring relationship between the people and the Governments 
     of the United States and Liberia;
       (2) urges the Government and people of Liberia to support 
     the truth and reconciliation process through full 
     implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and 
     Reconciliation Commission, including the establishment of an 
     Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal; and
       (3) supports efforts by the Department of State and United 
     States Agency for International Development to advance 
     Liberian efforts toward national reconciliation through 
     continued support for the rule of law, effective governance, 
     and the robust role of civil society.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include any extraneous material in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1055, which affirms the 
strong ties between the United States and Liberia and calls for full 
implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 
recommendations.
  I want to thank Representative Donovan and Representative Johnson for 
their work on this resolution.
  During my time as chairman of the Africa Subcommittee, we held 
hearings and we pressed legislation to bring attention to the brutal 
civil war in Liberia and Sierra Leone that killed 200,000 people and 
that displaced more than 1 million, one of whom was also an orphan, 
orphaned by this conflict, and he worked in my own office here in 
Congress.
  We heard testimony, for example, also, from a young girl no more than 
10 years old who recounted the atrocities she, herself, endured during 
the war, a gruesome illustration of the horrific and lasting impact 
this conflict had on the people of Liberia and Sierra Leone.
  The Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International 
Organizations Subcommittee worked across party lines and alongside the 
international community and alongside the people of Liberia and Sierra 
Leone to apprehend the notorious warlord Charles Taylor, and I would 
like to thank our staff director, Tom Sheehy, for his help in this 
regard. Today, Charles Taylor remains behind bars.
  In 2003, the Government of Liberia, rebel groups, and political 
parties signed a comprehensive peace agreement. A Truth and 
Reconciliation Commission was created, which recommended the 
establishment of a war crimes tribunal to ensure justice for the people 
of Liberia. This would be along the same lines of what we had worked to 
effectively establish for the people of Sierra Leone in terms of their 
special court.
  Unfortunately, however, this war crimes tribunal for Liberia has 
never been established, although Liberian Government figures and 
Liberian activists alike have continued to call for one. This 
resolution repeats this important call.
  We have turned the page on this horrific chapter in Liberia's 
history. In March, the U.N. peacekeeping mission there officially 
ended. It is not often we get to celebrate the successful end of a 
mission, and we remember the 202 peacekeepers that lost their lives to 
bring peace and to bring stability to the region.
  President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was democratically elected in 2005 
and reelected in 2011 before stepping down from power. Last year, the 
country experienced its first democratic transition of power since 
November of 1944. This further strengthened democratic institutions, 
and it set an important precedent for future leaders.
  Much more needs to be done to crack down on corruption and create a 
more conducive environment for trade and economic investment. The 
government must ensure the policies are in place to encourage business 
to invest and grow and create jobs, but this resolution affirms the 
U.S. commitment to continue to partner with Liberia to support civil 
society, rule of law, and good governance. We stand by the Liberian 
people in their continued efforts for a more prosperous and a more 
democratic Liberia.
  The United States and Liberia share close historical, political, and 
economic ties over the course of our nearly 200-year relationship. The 
United States is home to 80,000 people of Liberian ancestry. This 
resolution commends this diaspora population, which has been 
instrumental in America's efforts to build a peaceful, democratic, and 
prosperous Liberia.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise in support of this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Donovan for his work on this 
resolution which reaffirms America's relationship with Liberia and 
calls for the Government of Liberia to hold accountable those who 
carried out mass violence and atrocities during the country's civil war 
in the 1990s. That war resulted in the deaths of over 200,000 people 
and was marked by gross human rights violations.
  In the wake of this conflict, the Liberian Government started working 
to investigate the horrific crimes committed during the war. In 2005, a 
Truth and Reconciliation Commission put forward recommendations to 
follow through on those efforts. But now, 10 years later, the 
Government of Liberia still hasn't fully implemented those 
recommendations.
  Liberia, as the chairman pointed out, and the United States share 
close historical, political, and economic ties. We in the United States 
are committed to helping Liberia prosper as a stable democracy.
  The 2017 elections were an important turning point. This was the 
country's first peaceful democratic transition of power since 1944. 
Today's measure rightly congratulates Liberia for this achievement.
  For Liberia to fully move forward, it must deal with its past. So 
this resolution urges Liberia to implement the recommendations from the 
Truth and Reconciliation Commission. There must be justice and 
accountability for the atrocities committed during Liberia's Civil War.
  Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us today is a very important step 
to continue our strong relationship with Liberia, and I am happy to 
support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
reclaim the time I previously yielded back.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?

[[Page H9493]]

  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Donovan), an esteemed Member from the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs and the author of the resolution.

                              {time}  1730

  Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1055, to 
affirm strong United States-Liberian ties and support for democratic 
principles, and call for full implementation of the Truth and 
Reconciliation Commission recommendations, including the establishment 
of an Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal for Liberia.
  My district, Staten Island and South Brooklyn, is home to thousands 
of Liberians who have fled the turbulence of civil war. My constituents 
have directly told me how important it is to them that Liberia 
establish an extraordinary war crimes tribunal.
  At this very moment, people who have committed unspeakable war crimes 
hold positions in the Liberian Government. Murder, rape, mutilation, 
torture, unfortunately, Liberia has seen it all. Although it has been 
decades since these atrocities have occurred, wounds cannot be healed 
without justice for victims.
  Moreover, this lack of accountability is leading Liberia into a slow 
creep backwards towards the murderous mayhem of its civil war days. 
Without the justice Liberians are rightfully clamoring for, I fear 
there will be further violence and turbulence. This is why it is so 
crucial to call upon Liberia to establish a war crimes tribunal.
  As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I have had the great 
pleasure of working with Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel and 
the chairman of my subcommittee, Mr. Smith of New Jersey. The 
bipartisan manner in which they have conducted committee business in 
order to move impactful and consequential legislation is something 
truly to be admired and replicated.
  Thank you, Chairman Royce.
  Thank you to Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel, Chairman Smith, 
and my Democratic coleader, Congressman Hank Johnson, and all of our 
other cosponsors for supporting this resolution.
  I would also like to thank the committee staff, especially Meg 
Gallagher, Sean ONeill, and Marie Spear, for their work on this matter.
  I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution and continue to 
seek justice across the globe.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), chairman of the Foreign Affairs 
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and 
International Organizations.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. 
Res. 1055, offered by my good friend and colleague, Dan Donovan. This 
is an important piece of legislation. It underscores the unfinished 
business towards Liberia.
  Liberia is one of our best friends and allies, historically to the 
present day, for very many reasons, including the fact that freed men 
and women and former slaves from this country went back and helped to 
make Liberia what it is today.
  Unfortunately, they have had people like Charles Taylor, a despotic 
leader who killed and maimed and enabled gross rape. He, personally, 
has been held to account by the Court for Sierra Leone.
  We all know that David Crane, chief prosecutor, who has testified 
before my subcommittee on several occasions, did a wonderful job in 
bringing large numbers of people to justice. Charles Taylor, for 
example, got 50 years. I will never forget that infamous photo of 
Taylor looking down at the floor, never thinking that he would get a 
50-year jail term for his crimes.
  But there are many others who never got prosecuted. The Truth and 
Reconciliation Commission made serious recommendations that have not 
been implemented, including establishment of a criminal tribunal for 
Liberia.
  The time has come. Dan Donovan's bill puts the House clearly on 
record in saying we think this needs to be done, and it needs to be 
done now. I thank him for his leadership. On the subcommittee, he has 
been a great voice of reason and strength, as well as for human rights, 
particularly for those in Liberia. Last September, he chaired one of 
our hearings on Liberia, and I thought he did a masterful job, and I 
want to thank him for that leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an important bipartisan bill. I urge its 
passage.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close. I yield myself the 
balance of my time.
  I again want to thank Mr. Donovan and Chairman Royce for their work 
on this effort. We want to ensure that the U.S. continues to enjoy its 
centuries-long relationship with Liberia.
  The measure puts the United States on record again, once again, 
encouraging Liberia in the right direction toward democratic stability 
and accountability. So I urge all Members to support this resolution, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank my colleagues. I thank 
Representatives Dan Donovan and Hank Johnson for their work on this 
legislation, as well as Chris Smith, Eliot Engel, and Karen Bass for 
their support.
  The U.S. stands by the Liberian people, those living in Liberia, and 
the diaspora in their continued efforts for a more prosperous and a 
more democratic Liberia.
  Reconciliation from the atrocities of the past is an important step 
in this process and will ensure peace, and it will ensure that the 
stability remains. The U.S. must continue to support civil society, 
rule of law, and good governance to strengthen democratic institutions.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important measure, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 
1055, legislation affirming the United States' strong relationship with 
Liberia.
  Liberia gives us hope that if we are willing to face truth of our 
past there can be hope for unity after devastating divisions. It takes 
courage to honestly face your history and find ways to move forward as 
a country. We must commit to supporting and encouraging this burgeoning 
democracy.
  It has been an honor to work with my colleague Rep. Donovan. I am 
encouraged by his commitment to this cause. I am pleased to stand 
before you today to voice my unwavering support for H. Res. 1055 and 
ask for yours as well.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1055.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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