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INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE
FROM HON. J. ALEX TYLER, SR.
SPEAKER, HONORABLE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ON JULY 26, 1847, ELEVEN BRAVE AND PATRIOTIC MEN MET AT THE PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH ON BROAD STREET AND AFFIXED THEIR SIGNATURE ON THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE TO ANNOUNCE TO THE WORLD THE DAWN OF A NEW NATION NAMED AND STYLED “THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA”.

SINCE THEN, WE AS A PEOPLE HAVE GONE THROUGH MANY TRIBULATIONS AS A NATION; BUT THOUGH WE WERE TROUBLED, WE HAVE NEVER BEEN DESTROYED AND HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME.

AS WE BRACE OURSELVES TO OBSERVE THE 165TH ANNIVERSARY OF STATEHOOD; THE 53RD LEGISLATURE CONGRATULATES THE PRESIDENT
OF LIBERIA, HER EXCELLENCY MADAM ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF, THE VICE PRESIDENT, AMBASSADOR JOSEPH N. BOAKAI AND THE PEOPLE OF LIBERIA FOR ACHIEVING THIS HISTORIC MILESTONE.

HOWEVER, FOR INDEPENDENCE TO BE MEANINGFUL AT THIS TIME, IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE THAT LIBERIANS RECONCILE WITH EACH OTHER AND WITHIN THEMSELVES PEACEFULLY IN ORDER TO REAP THE BENEFITS OF NATIONHOOD.

FAILURE IN THE PAST TO RECONCILE OURSELVES, DELAYED OUR NATIONAL PROGRESS; THEREBY MAKING LIBERIA TO LAG BEHIND NATIONS THAT LOOKED UP TO LIBERIA IN THE PAST FOR GUIDANCE IN THEIR STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-DETERMINATION.

ADDITIONALLY, ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBERS OF THE 53RD LEGISLATURE, I CALL ON EVERY CITIZEN TO DO AWAY WITH THE VICES OF THE PAST; UNITE BEHIND OUR NATIONAL AND LOCAL LEADERS SO AS TO PAVE THE WAY FOR A PEACEFUL, COORDINATED AND ORDERLY FUTURE FOR OURSELVES AND MOST ESPECIALLY OUR CHILDREN.

ACCORDINGLY, WE CAN ASSURE LIBERIANS THAT OUR EMERGING DEMOCRACY WILL BE SUSTAINABLE IF WE COLLECTIVELY PUT OUR COUNTRY FIRST, AND ASK “WHAT WE CAN DO FOR OUR COUNTRY AND NOT WHAT OUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR US”.

LONG LIVE LIBERIA, HAPPY LAND, A HOME OF GLORIOUS LIBERTY SHALL LONG BE OURS.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY.