U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-Rhode Island), joined by his colleagues, Congressman Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota) and Congressman Tim Walberg (R-Michigan), on Thursday, April 19, 2007, sponsored the introduction of the Liberian Immigration Protection Act in the United States House of Representatives. The Act seeks to prevent the deportation of Liberians on temporary status and affords them the opportunity to apply for permanent residence.
In commemorating this major legislative step, a special public ceremony was held on the same day on the Terrace of the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Speaking at the ceremony were the three Congressmen who re-affirmed their continuing commitment to the Liberian cause and thanked Liberians for rising up to the occasion. Congressmen Kennedy, Ellison, and Walberg took turns to invigorate the attending crowd. They appealed to the conscience of the United States powers that be to look at the Bill will favor giving the unique place Liberia occupies in U.S. history.
Liberian Ambassador Charles Minor, in making his remarks, disclosed to the crowd that President Ellen_and_Keth_Ellison_(D-MN)_and_Liberians.jpg)
Johnson-Sirleaf had sent a special letter to Congressmen Kennedy reiterating the Liberian Government’s support for the Bill on grounds that much still remained to be achieved in Liberia for the nation to be able to accommodate an influx of its people from the Diaspora.
For his part, ULAA National President Emmanuel S. Wettee thanked the U.S. legislators who are championing the cause of Liberians and the Liberian Government which has stood firm against the unplanned and sudden exodus of Liberian from the United States. Mr. Wettee thanked ULAA member chapters for their resoluteness in this fight and urged them to remain steadfast. Congressmen Walberg, Ellison and ULAA delegates at the ceremony
Also making remarks was ULAA National Board Chairman Anthony Kesselly who recounted a few historical facts that speak to the unique relationship between the United States and Liberia. Chairman Kesselly implored U.S. policy makers to take a long look back and think about what Liberia has meant to the United States.
The President of the Liberian Community Association of Rhode Island, Dr. Mator Kpangbai expressed pride in Rhode Island Congressman Kennedy for tirelessly and unfailingly standing with Liberians in every hour of need.
Liberian-American Services who took of their time to be present at the ceremony also made remarks, calling for support for the Bill. The U.S. Army servicemen were Staff Sergeant Jehu J. Duncan, Staff Sergeant Victor M. Washington, and Specialist Zota Stevens.
The ceremony was attended by an array of top ULAA leaders and personalities including National Executive Vice President Georgia Selli, National General Secretary Isaac Zawolo, Board First Vice Chairman James N. Larsah, Board member Milen King, ULAA Washington, D.C. Chapter President Boniface Satu, Former Rhode Island Chapter President Danlette Norris, ULAA External Affairs Committee Chairman Samuel Togba Slewion, ULAA Research & Development Chairman Saah N’Tow, and former Massachusetts Chapter President & Immigration Kesselly and others applaud Congressman Ellison Advocate Torli Krua (also Founder & President of
the Universal human Rights International).
Almost the entire mission at the Liberian Embassy in Washington D.C. was present. The included Honorable Alexander H.N. Wallace, III, Minister-Counselor & Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Honorable Samuel Z. Abu, Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs, Honorable Gurley Gibson-Browne, First Secretary & Consul, Honorable Christopher J. Nippy, First Secretary for Political & Diaspora Affairs, and Honorable Joan George, Protocol Officer.