[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 205 (Friday, December 4, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1092-E1093]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING PRESIDENT JERRY RAWLINGS OF GHANA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 4, 2020

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, today we honor the 
extraordinary life and career of Jerry Rawlings, the former President 
of Ghana.
  He was born on June 22, 1947 in Accra, Ghana to his loving mother 
Victoria Agbotuni. He received his education from the Achimota 
Secondary School, graduating in 1966 with his general education 
certification. While in school he became well known for his love of 
Polo and his willingness to speak out about injustice.
  In 1967 he enlisted in the Ghanaian Air Force and became a flight 
cadet. Shortly afterward, he was selected to attend the Ghana Military 
Academy and Training School. Upon completing his training in 1969 he 
was awarded the ``Speed Bird Trophy'' acknowledging his top ranking 
status in flying and airmanship. Nine years later he earned the rank 
Flight-Lieutenant.
  During his career in the military, he began to observe how 
corruption, privilege, and injustice impact soldiers and the people 
they are sworn to protect.
  His concerns about Ghana's future led him to become an outspoken 
critic of the corruption and mismanagement he saw from the country's 
military leaders and called for more attention to the plight of Ghana's 
poor.

[[Page E1093]]

  Eventually, he led an effort to remove the existing military 
government and convened elections. When the subsequent government 
encountered challenges managing the economy, he intervened again, and 
ruled directly for the next eleven years. During his time as unelected 
leader, President Rawlings sought to introduce reforms that would place 
Ghana on a firm economic foundation and create shared prosperity.
  In 1992, President Rawlings convened elections and presided over a 
gradual return to democracy and openness in Ghana. After two terms as 
elected leader, President Rawlings retired in 2001 and presided over 
the peaceful transfer of power to the opposition leader John Kufuor.
  Following his presidency, he continued to be active in world affairs, 
particularly as the African Union special envoy to Somalia.
  President Rawlings' commitment to justice and opportunity extended 
beyond Ghana and the African continent to African Americans and the 
African diaspora In particular, President Rawlings worked actively, 
both in office and in retirement, to build bridges between Ghana and 
African Americans. In 2019, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus 
traveled to Ghana to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the beginning 
of the brutal institution of slavery in America. On that occasion, 
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus met with President Rawlings 
and his family, and he pledged to continue his effort to deepen bonds 
between Ghana and the African American community.
  We offer sincerest condolences to his wife, his children, and the 
Ghanaian people. The United States Congress stands in solidarity with 
the people of Ghana as they commemorate President Rawlings' legacy, and 
continue their work to strengthen democratic institutions and inclusive 
prosperity in their country.

                          ____________________