WASHINGTON , D.C. – House Republican Conference Chairman Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio) today issued the following statement on the visit of The Honorable Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President of Liberia after addressing a special bi-cameral joint-session
“Not too long ago, the country of Liberia was ruled by a brutal dictator that suppressed free speech and liberty. Today’s visit by the first democratically elected president of Liberia is testament of the powerful conviction that people will seek out freedom and democracy over tyranny and violence,” said Pryce.
Representative Pryce went on to add, “It is especially poignant to learn that President Johnson-Sirleaf is also the first democratically elected female president of Liberia , whose visit comes during our country’s celebration of Women’s History Month.”
Ties between the Republic of Liberia and the U.S. stretch over two centuries, as it was Congressional allocation of $100,000 to the American Colonization Society in 1819 that helped form the Republic. Among the first citizens of Liberia were former American slaves.
