YOUR EXCELLENCY
HONORABLE JOSEPH BOAKAI
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA
H.E. AMBASSADOR NATHANIEL BARNES; LIBERIAN PERMANENT
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS;
OFFICERS OF THE FEDERATION OF LOFA ASSOCIATIONS
IN THE AMERICAS;
FELLOW LOFIANS;
DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
History teaches us how inconsistencies of man can exert tremendous influences on the present and the future. Hitler and Napoleon exerted great influences over their people and country. They brought great destruction to their countries. They fought wars that resulted to the lost of millions of lives, and billions of billions of properties.
Napoleon left behind a good name. Hitler left nothing but shame to himself and his peers. Lenin was revered by the Russians for his faith in Karl Marx's principles of power to the proletariats. Today, Lenin's reputation has suffered due to the demise of the Soviet Union. His fame is lost among many.
Several years ago, I attended a gathering where a highly reputable man was called to express his opinion about a major public policy. He got up and shivered. He stammered and stood there without saying a word. But he looked at the face of his audience and smiled. Then, he joyously said, I thank you. His audience understood silent message and applauded him. Noticeably, the gentleman was over happy to the point that he became speechless.
However, as one of the attendants of that gathering, I felt that smile was not enough. I expected the man to speak. Today, I realize that he spoke, and his audience understood him. I wish that I could be in that man's position to be very brief and be understood.
I, therefore, consider this opportunity as a singular honor and privilege for the Lofians residing in the United States of America. Mr. Vice President, it is gratifying to sit with you and talk with you as our leader, and to share ideas with you about Liberia and about Lofa County, a sub- political region we hail.
As a leader and servant of Lofians in the United States of America, I want to once more congratulate you for your position of prominence in the affairs of Liberia and the world. I also congratulate you for your unflinching support for, and dedication to the rebuilding and development of every part of Liberia. I congratulate you for being a resolute, charismatic, patient, and courageous leader during times of turbulence in our country. And, of course, I congratulate you for being part of us.
Mr. Vice President, although human beings have short memories, there are acts, events and experiences that can never be forgotten. They go into annals of history, and they remain in the minds of man as long as they live. Wickedness, acts of war and scars of war can be forgiven, but will never be forgotten. They leave have everlasting memories.
We cannot also easily forget joyous days of ushering good people into power. It is particularly difficult to forgot leaders who relieve their people of mayhem, grief, and sorrow. Individuals who have positive impact on the lives other will always be remembered.
We will not forget those who remained in Liberia during the most difficult hours of our troubles even though they had the means to escape. Our heroes are those who fought, suffered, and died to put cessation to the disorder of normalcy, and those who survived the catastrophes while earnestly and intelligently fighting for the sovereignty of Liberia. The innocents who died are our heroes too.
Although the sad days will continue to linger in our minds forever, the good days to remember forever are also realities. For us, the officers and members of the Federation of Lofa Associations in the Americas, we believe that in addition to efforts of bringing normalcy to Liberia, individual and collective efforts of rebuilding and developing Liberia will never be forgotten. They will go into annals of history. They will be rewarded for now and forever.
The Federation of Lofa Associations in the Americas have been closely following developments in Liberia. We have been watching government's protection of human rights, the restoration of law and order, freedom of speech, and good governance. We have also followed developments in food production, health, and education.
Despite numerous constraints, we are encouraged that the government of Liberia is making progress in many areas. The security of our people has improved. People are traveling everywhere in Liberia without fear. Schools are opened and children are going to school. Corruption is minimized, and health centers are opened.
We commend the government Liberia for its endeavor in these areas. We promise our unflinching support and commitment to doing all we can to be part of the process. We look forward to seeing greater development in these areas in the near future. We are particularly hopeful that the government of Liberia will devise means that will make the country self sufficient in food production; for a country that does not feed itself is subject to external control.
me together as one people primarily bound by historical and cultural imperatives. It must reawaken the spirit of unity and solidarity, which we enjoyed before.
We believe, Mr. Vice President, that we are assembled here not for merriment, but to confer with one another about ways to rebuild; listen to one another's account of the agonies of war; plan with one another to reconstruct our lives, fulfill dreams with one another for the blessings of coming together; embrace one another for joy and happiness attained; and above all work with one another to unite, cooperate, and develop our county and assist our people. In our belief, this is the lofa spirit that we must develop, cherish, nourish and uphold.
However, in working together, we must remember that 'even a monkey can fall from a tree; and an accident can happen in the most regulated families. But let us take courage that out of evil goodness may come. We must, therefore, earnestly reconcile our differences at every stage of our lives and engage ourselves in rebuilding our county, country and communities.
We consider every aspect of our encounter, as a very important milestone in our lives; a positive step to a new beginning, and a forward march for progress. We therefore want to once more extend our gratitude to the founders of the Federation of Lofa Associations in the Americas for their farsightedness in establishing this association.
During this difficult period in the history of our country and county, the federation of Lofa associations in the Americas has sacred obligation to assist the county and its citizens at various levels of its capability. In an effort to join hands with the government of Liberia, the Federation of Lofa Associations in the Americas prioritized educational development as one of its major goals. The achievement of this goal is possible within the framework of unity.
In 2006, the Education Committee headed by Mr. Henry Charyoe did a remarkable job. The committee's chairman traveled to Lofa County and identified the most urgent educational needs. They include chairs and basic school material such as copybooks, pencils, pens, crayons, and calculators. The Committee also identified needs for instructional materials such as books, computers, generators, and electrical materials. The renovation of selected schools in each district in Lofa County was emphasized as way of assisting our brothers and sisters. The estimated cost of these urgently needed materials and renovations was put at $90,000.00. With unified efforts, and cooperation, we can afford the cost.
In partial fulfillment of our educational goals, we have been able to secure 250 complete sets of computers, and other educational supplies and materials for our schools in Lofa County. The distribution of these educational materials to our schools requires concerted efforts and collaboration with the Government of Liberia, local authorities, and school administrations in Lofa County.
Your Excellency, the Federation of Lofa Associations in the Americas, would have me request government's assistance for duty free privileges and transportation of these educational materials to the selected schools in Lofa County.
Madam Garmai Tokpah, Vice Chairperson of the Federation of Lofa Associations in the Americas (FLAA), Mr. Richard Zayzay, President of the New York Chapter of FLAA; Heads, officers and members of the various Chapters of FLAA present; Fellow Lofians; Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen: I now invite you to rise up and join me in formally welcoming the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Joseph N. Boakai, in a traditional Lofa fashion.