Pres. Sirleaf meets Congressional Leaders

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has met with key Congressional leaders and ranking members of both Houses of the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C.

The Liberian President is currently visiting the United States of America to show appreciation to the U.S. Government and people for standing with Liberia during the Ebola crisis.

According to a Dispatch from Washington, President Sirleaf and delegation on Thursday, February 26 held discussions with House Democratic and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senators Lindsey Graham and Patrick Leahy of the Senate Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs.

Senator Jeffery Flake and members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Chris Coons of the Senate Subcommittee on Appropriation, Representative Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee along with Ranking members, including Representatives Elliott Engel, Chris Smith and Karen Baas, respectively.

Making remarks at the different meetings, Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi recalled President Sirleaf’s visit in 2007 when she addressed the Joint Session of both Houses and congratulated her for her impressive leadership particularly during the Ebola crisis.

“You are a true friend to the American people and we appreciate the special recognition accorded the late Congressman Donald Payne. Let me express our admiration for you and say how grateful we are for the progress made by Liberia in containing the Ebola virus disease,” the Democratic leader Pelosi emphasized.

Also a Congresswoman Pelosi assured President Sirleaf that the U.S. will stand by Liberia as the country works toward reaching the zero new case level and the post-Ebola recovery plan. “We can achieve this because members of the U.S. Congress have a fan at the bi-partisan level. We are very impressed with your courageous leadership, Madam President,” Madam Pelosi indicated.
Also speaking, Senator Chris Coons noted that Liberia deserves the support of the United States of America. The influential Delaware Senator, who is a ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, assured President Sirleaf that Congress will ensure that Liberia’s situation gets better.

The Senators and Representatives, who met the Liberian President, pledged to use their respective offices, influence and power to give Liberia the needed support to move the fringes of Ebola to a plain of sustained recovery and development.

“Power is of critical importance to Liberia’s recovery process. All the developmental processes in Liberia are hinged on the provision of sustainable energy supply and we are committed to helping Liberia meets this important goal.

Royce emphasized that rebuilding the healthcare system and health infrastructure are also critical to efforts aimed at helping Liberia recover from the impact of the Ebola virus disease.

Speaking subsequently, President Sirleaf told the U.S. Congressional leaders and members that Liberia is back in business. “We have only come to say thank you on behalf of the people and in my own name for all that you have done for us, especially when we cried out for help and you responded in no small measure,” President Sirleaf stressed at the various meetings with leaders of both sides of the U.S. Congress.

She pointed out that the Government was glad that kids were now back in school, markets are buzzing again, the borders have reopened and the restriction on people’s movement are all lifted. She also indicated that most importantly, the spirits of Liberians are lifted and reignited in hope and that the country was now back to the business of development.

The Liberian Leader informed the U.S. Congressional leaders about the current state of the Ebola fight and about the country’s plan for post-Ebola, seeking the U.S. Government’s full support for Liberia’s recovery process now that Ebola is being contained.