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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