WHEREAS, Since 1991 almost 500,000 Liberian nationals fled their country and took refuge in neighboring countries and in the United States in an attempt to escape the then raging civil war; and
WHEREAS, During the civil war Liberia was deeply divided by numerous demobilized faction fighters, a shattered economy and political system, and the displacement of over half its population; and
WHEREAS, These warring factions were responsible for terrorizing the local population in order to loot and to discourage support of rival factions and these terroristic tactics included executions, torture, forced labor and extortion; and
WHEREAS, Thousands of those nationals seeking refuge took up residence in the United States under a program initiated in 1991 by the United States government, which granted residence status below asylum to Liberian nationals wishing to escape Liberia; and
WHEREAS, The United States Government is currently seeking to terminate the programs in light of improved security condition in Liberia; and
WHEREAS, Representative Patrick Kennedy and Senator Jack Reed introduced these bills to ensure that Liberian families on Temporary Protective Status (TPS) will remain united and so that their American born children will not be compelled to leave the United States; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby urge the l08th United States Congress to support the passage of House of Representatives Bill No. 1930 entitled, “The Liberian Immigration Protection Act of 2003 and Senate Bill No. 656
entitled, “The Liberian Immigration Fairness Act.”
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States as well as to the Liberian Ambassador as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
End