President Sirleaf Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

Presidents George Bush and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the White House in Washington, USA.
Photo Credit: Adama B. Thompson/Executive Mansion

Washington, D.C. (USA) - President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony in Washington, D.C. in the United States. Making the presentation Monday, U.S. President George Bush lauded the efforts of the Liberian leader in improving the lives of her people. President Bush said the United States is proud to stand with Liberia, describing the Liberian President as a woman of courage, and a giver of hope.

President Bush said:  "When tyrannies fall, it's often the prisoners and exiles who are called forth to lead their people. We've seen this in our own time, in the lives of President Havel, and President Mandela, and Prime Minister Maliki, and in the Republic of Liberia, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

All of her life, President Sirleaf has been a pioneer. The daughter of a school teacher in Monrovia, she crossed the ocean as a young woman and earned three degrees in the United States. She has been a business executive, a development expert, a public official -- and always a patriot. She loves Liberia and she loves all its people. After a cabal seized power and plunged that country into years of upheaval, and corruption, and civil war, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf stood up for the democratic rights of her fellow citizens. She never wavered, even though the consequences were house arrest, foreign exile, death threats, and imprisonment.

When free elections returned to Liberia, the voters made history. They chose her to be the first woman ever elected to lead a nation on the continent of Africa. She was inaugurated last year, with Laura and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as proud witnesses. I remember asking Laura and Condi what kind of person I'd be dealing with. They said to expect a woman of depth and ability who knows how to get things done. They were right. See, when the President comes to the Oval Office, she walks in with a to-do list.

The President has the tough mind of a natural-born executive, and the gentle instincts of a mother. Not surprisingly, the Liberian people have given her two affectionate nicknames. They call her the "Iron Lady," and they call her "Ma." She's begun an age of reform in a country with deep historic ties to the United States. As she said to a joint meeting of our Congress, "Liberia will become a brilliant beacon, an example to Africa and to the world of what the love of liberty can achieve." Madam President, America is proud to stand with Liberia. And today, America honors you as a woman of courage, and a giver of hope. Welcome back to the White House, my friend, and congratulations.”

The Liberian leader thanked President Bush, the government and people of the United States for the honor. In an Executive Mansion statement, the President paid homage to the people of Liberia, whose courage and determination for a better Liberia has continued to propel her to work for an improved country, which will become a post conflict success story.  The President said the Award has renewed her resolve to continue to work towards a better Liberia that would provide equal opportunities for all its citizens.

President Johnson Sirleaf said the award is another indication that Liberia is once again accepted by the United States and the international community as a reliable partner.

The President leaves the United States late Monday for home.