LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Inde-
pendence of Sierra Leone, to be celebrated on Wednesday, April 27, 2011,
in New York City

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to celebrate histor-
ical events which exemplify the spirit and struggle of peoples through-
out the world to achieve independence and live in peace and freedom; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Sierra Leone, to be
celebrated on Wednesday, April 27, 2011, in New York City; and
WHEREAS, On April 27, 1961, Sierra Leone had become the latest West
African state to win independence, after more than 150 years of British
colonial rule; the new nation was born at the stroke of midnight, when
its green, white and blue flag was unfurled; and
WHEREAS, A huge crowd, gathered at Brookfields Playground in Freetown
to watch the historic moment, broke into tumultuous cheering; Independ-
ence Day formally began as the Duke of Kent handed over royal instru-
ments recognizing Sierra Leone as an independent nation; and
WHEREAS, The late Sir Maurice Dorman, Governor since 1956, was then
sworn in as Governor-General by Chief Justice Beoku Betts; messages of
welcome to the new government, led by Prime Minister Sir Milton Margai,
came from the Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, and from the Queen; and
WHEREAS, The Union of Sierra Leonean Organizations (USLO) is an
umbrella organization comprised of various Sierra Leonean organizations
in New York State; it provides many services and participates in various
activities on a year-round basis through its member organizations; and
WHEREAS, USLO supports and promotes the interests of each individual
member organization with the goal of improving each organzition's self
esteem and national pride (the Green, White, and Blue), while collec-
tively aiming to make a meaningful impact in the lives of Sierra Leone-
ans back in Africa; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
great contributions which Sierra Leoneans have brought to our State and
Nation, and to wish them all continued success in their purposeful
endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Sierra Leone;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ahmed D. Kargbo, President, Union of Sierra Leonean Organiza-
tions in New York.