IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION recognizing the first female head of state in Africa, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Intro
RESOLUTION #17393, October 18, 2010
INTRODUCED BY James D. Tindall, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, on January 16, 2006, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was inaugurated as the first President of Liberia in a ceremony attended by several heads of state and other dignitaries, including United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and First Lady Laura Bush; and,
WHEREAS, President Sirleaf began her distinguished career studying financial management at the College of West Africa and earned a degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; and
WHEREAS, President Sirleaf served as Minister of Finance in Liberia until a military coup forced the ruling party out of office, and she was placed under house arrest; and,
WHEREAS, President Sirleaf has revived national hope after years of fighting for freedom, justice, and equality in Liberia and, after spending time in jail and being forced into exile more than once, she is now entrusted with the most challenging task any Liberian leader has ever faced, rebuilding a post-conflict nation; and,
WHEREAS, President Sirleaf has effectively led the effort to establish national peace by consolidating and strengthening key institutions of national security, and using her diplomatic and negotiating skills to reestablish relations with several countries, including the United States, France, Germany, Canada, Israel, and Italy; and,
WHEREAS, in recognition of President Sirleaf's efforts to make Liberia a post-conflict success story, Sirleaf was awarded in 2007 the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor bestowed by an American President; and,
WHEREAS, President Sirleaf will celebrate her birthday on October 29, 2010; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature extends best wishes to Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on her birthday and expresses sincere gratitude for her dedicated service to the citizens of Liberia.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________ _________________________________
Chief Deputy County Counselor Acting County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution #17393 of October 18, 2010 was duly passed on October 18, 2010 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas ________8_________ Nays ______0_______
Abstaining _______0______ Absent _______1_____
______________________ _____________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature