On July 26, 161 years ago, a colony in West Africa founded by freed American slaves declared its independence. It would take the name Liberia, meaning "Land of the Free."
But after decades of bloody coups and civil wars, the Republic of Liberia is finally throwing off tyranny's iron shackles.
Under the dictatorial rule of Charles Taylor, the seaside African country was shattered, sinking into chaos and cruelty. In the grip of this warlord's wrath, more than 200,000 Liberians died. About half of the population-1.5 mil-lion-were displaced. Almost all of the country's infrastructure was destroyed.
Taylor's ambitious plot for territory and riches was drawn with blades and bullets, and thickened by blood. He stirred rebellion and exported evil to neighboring Sierra Leone, plundering the region's hot diamonds to finance cold-hearted mass murder.
Now, five years later, the long night's darkness is lifting. And, Liberia is rising again.
Today, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the President of Liberia, winning a free and fair election in 2005 to become the first woman elected to lead an African nation. Her groundbreaking inauguration ushered in a period of hope, change and renewal. In a country where so many parents lost their children and so many children lost their childhood, the Harvard-educated economist is known by many simply as "Ma."
The Sirleaf Administration has moved with the determination and diligence and dispatch of a government that knows the hour's urgency. President Sirleaf established initiatives to investigate human rights abuses during the war; to root out widespread corruption; to provide free, compulsory primary education for all children; and to cancel more than a billion dollars of international debt, much of which was accumulated under previous, corrupt and repressive regimes.
While U.N. Peacekeepers continue to patrol Liberia's streets, former fighters have put down their guns. Charles Taylor sits in prison, standing trial in the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
More than 100,000 refugees have returned home. Men and women are finding work and wages in upstart enterprises and restarted industries. Children are once again going to school, toting books instead of guns. The steady rhythms of normal life are slowly returning.
But, Liberia is still a fragile and forming democracy, where small cracks may lead to a big collapse. Such a breakdown would be catastrophic: as failing states become breeding grounds for hatred and violence; training camps for crime and terror. Their dangers soon spin out of control, spilling over natural boundaries and man-made borders.
At this critical moment, the United States is as necessary and vital as ever in helping Liberia to sustain and solidify peace and progress. So, I'm introducing today the Liberia Stabilization, Economic Empowerment, Development and Security Act, the "Liberia SEEDS Act," to provide the Liberian government with critical assistance in responding to critical challenges. It is a component of principled, proactive and preventive foreign policy.
In a country with no running water and no electricity anywhere-except from private generators-the bill authorizes assistance to rebuild Liberia's fallen infrastructure. The Development Assistance funds will be used to reconstruct roads and bridges; to restore water and sanitation systems; and to rehabilitate the electricity grid to high-priority areas and institutions. These funds also will support efforts to retrain and employ former combatants and war-affected youth, enabling them to pick up tools to rebuild the country, rather than weapons to destroy it.
In addition, the bill authorizes assistance to establish a new training institute for public-sector employees. The Economic Support Fund will be used to enhance the Liberian government's capacity, transparency and operational effectiveness, making it more accountable, more responsive and more attractive to private and international investment.
Furthermore, the bill authorizes assistance to strengthen law and order. The International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement funds will be used to enhance the Liberian National Police Academy; to improve police operational capabilities; to provide vital police equipment and training; and to promote human rights and the rule of law.
This bill makes a modest and prudent investment, authorizing $225 million in aid to Liberia over five years, from fiscal year 2009 to 2013. It's a hand up - not a hand out - to an ally hurrying to her feet, reaching for the future.
What better way to honor our shared values, reinforce our deep, historic ties and help the Liberian people celebrate Independence.
[Author Affiliation]
by Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
Cong. Jesse Jackson Jr. represents Illinois' 2nd Congressional District.
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