The Century of the Woman

Jan Schakowsky applauds the newly elected President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who addressed the US Congress yesterday, in a joint session. Congressperson Schakowsky:

"Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has opened a new chapter in Africa’s history as its first female head-of-state. Her election marks a turning point for Liberia, a long-time ally of the United States, which has recently been debilitated by war, corruption, and civil strife. I met with President Sirleaf in Liberia three weeks ago and I know she has the skills and vision it will take to rebuild Liberia and bring hope to its people."

Congressperson Schakowsky takes the opportunity to express her entirely predictable prediction that "The 21st century could well be the century of the woman" and "A recent US poll (blah, blah) female president" and calls for support for this democracy:

I support Congressman Jesse Jackson and Chairman Jim Clyburn’s call to include appropriations for Liberia in the President’s supplemental request. President Bush has committed to spreading democracy around the world. This is a unique opportunity to build a democracy in a nation that is starting anew. Rewarding Liberia for its democratic progress would send the right signal to other African nations.

But President Bush has been involved a little longer than 3 weeks, and so President Sirleaf graciously had this to say, Independent Online:

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia's newly elected president, expressed her gratitude to the United States on Wednesday for its role in helping to end the civil war that engulfed her country just a few short years ago. "Honourable ladies and gentlemen of this congress, I want to thank you. All the Liberian people sent me here to thank you for that vision. Our triumph over evil is also your triumph," Johnson Sirleaf told a joint session of the US legislature. Washington's intervention, she said, "paved the way for a United Nations force that secured our peace and guaranteed free and fair elections", she said in an address punctuated by numerous standing ovations from the US lawmakers. Meanwhile, she said, hundreds of millions of dollars in US aid "laid the foundation for a durable peace, not only in Liberia, but in the whole West African sub-region".

Apparently President Bush has already made generous provision for Liberia and Africa.






And we trust Congressperson Schakowsky will graciously issue a press release on the occasion of the election of US President Condoleezza Rice, ushering in the 21st century of the woman in style.