Washington, D.C. — Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was honored Thursday night in Washington with the 2006 Freedom Award, a distinction she shared with U.S. First Lady Laura Bush.
The Award, sponsored by the International Republican Institute, a U.S. NGO, rewards the Liberian Head of State for her work for her dedication to the advancement of freedom and in encouraging women's participation in the democratic process.
U.S. Senator John McCain, Chairman of IRI, noted President Sirleaf's tenacity in standing up for the Liberian people despite the hardships of jailtime, a "tyrannical" regime, and her status as a woman.
U.S. First Lady Laura Bush described Ellen as "an amazing woman" with "every reason to be praised."
Accepting her award, Johnson Sirleaf commented that Liberia's 140-year history of peace and stability had "masked underlying tensions" in the country, a "disguise" that ultimately "was shattered by the [1980] coup" that brought Samuel Doe to power.
Johnson Sirleaf expressed gratitude towards the American Government for "taking a principled stance" against the regime of Charles Taylor in 2003 and reminded those present that "the U.S. has already made a major investment in Liberia," and promised a "return on that investment" as the country develops.
IRI promotes democracy and civic engagement worldwide. Its past honorees include U.S. President George W. Bush, President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, and Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
