reate personal links across oceans and thousands of miles. A medical technician or skilled craftsman in the United States can, today, reach out electronically to help Liberian families and villagers solve a practical problem. An American high school or college student can meet Liberian friends, and be exposed to new challenges, new ideas, and new experiences. Both African-American and small businesses will have the opportunity to develop new markets in Liberia.
Many of you here today may only know of Liberia from tragic newspaper headlines and television news footage, of refugees and victims of civil war. Allow me to say a few words about how Liberia came into being, and how it embarked a generation ago on a tragic path of division, destruction, and violence. Nearly two hundred years ago, Americans black and white dreamed of a free homeland in Africa for those who had been kidnapped into slavery. Out of this dream, Liberia was born, and our motto as a nation is "The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here."
However, the founding fathers and mothers of Liberia were people of their time. They came home to Africa knowing little about their brothers and sisters from whom they had been torn. The Americo-Liberians thus became an elite, building a Liberia for themselves but doing nothing for the so-called tribal peoples of the countryside.
In the 20th century, two great leaders sought to reach out, to bring their peoples together, and forge one Liberian nation. These were President William V.S. Tubman and President William Tolson, who together led their country from 1944 to 1979. They were not perfect men. They made many mistakes, and did not institute reforms as quickly or as wisely as they might have. Nevertheless, the Liberian people made enormous strides under their leadership. The country people were at least given full citizenship. Roads were built, schools were opened, industries were established.
Tragically, ho...