07-R304

2007 -- H 6485

Enacted 06/05/07

 

H O U S E  R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING AND WELCOMING HIS EXCELLENCY, THE HONORABLE

JOSEPH N. BOAKAI, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS VISIT TO THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Fox, Williams, Watson, and Slater

     Date Introduced: June 05, 2007

 

 

     WHEREAS, His Excellency, the Honorable Joseph N. Boakai, Vice President of Africa’s

oldest Republic, Liberia, was inaugurated as Vice President of Liberia on January 16th of 2006;

and

     WHEREAS, Born into a large family in Warsonga Town, Foya District, Lofa County, the

Honorable Mr. Boakai attended school in Kenema, Sierra Leone and later at the United

Pentecostal Mission School in Bomi Hills. He graduated from the College of West Africa and

University of Liberia in 1972 with a degree in Business Administration, and later attended Kansas

State University on a USAID Fellowship; and

     WHEREAS, A strong Christian, who is active in his local church, the Honorable Mr.

Boakai is married to his college sweetheart Kartumu Yarta Cooper whom he describes as “the

moving force” behind him. He is also the proud father of three sons; and

     WHEREAS, Upon graduation from college in 1972, Vice President Boakai was

appointed Assistant Manager of the Liberian Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC), and in

1980 he became the first Liberian Managing Director of LPMC; and

     WHEREAS, In 1983, the Honorable Mr. Boakai was named Minister of Agriculture for

Liberia. Over the course of the next two decades he held a number of significant management

positions including Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Liberia Wood Management

Corporation, and Chairman of the Interim government of National Unity; and

     WHEREAS, Liberia has had long-standing historical ties with America and has provided

unwavering support for the United States through a policy of special cooperation and friendship;

and

     WHEREAS, The United States, as well as Rhode Island, has a very large Liberian

community, with an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people of Liberian descent living in the Ocean

State; and

     WHEREAS, Vice President Boakai has brought a wealth of humanity and devout

commitment to his Vice Presidency. He has and continues to shape a brighter future for the

people and children in his country, and he is eminently worthy of our recognition and praise;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives hereby warmly welcomes the

Honorable Joseph N. Boakai to the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. We wish

him good health, and we have every confidence that his future will be filled with achievement,

success and happiness; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to His Excellency, the Honorable Joseph N.

Boakai, Vice President of the Republic of Liberia.

     

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LC03273

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