LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee,
and Tawakkol Karman upon the occasion of their designation as recipients
of a Nobel Peace Prize

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
individuals who contribute to our global community and the well-being of
our society; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakkol Karman upon the occa-
sion of their designation as recipients of a Nobel Peace Prize; and
WHEREAS, These three outstanding individuals have received the world
renowned Peace Prize from the Nobel Foundation for embodying the passion
for peace and hunger for justice that fueled steadfast, non-violent
struggles; and
WHEREAS, These women have addressed the citizens of New York State
separately on many occasions both to participate in global discussions
at the United Nations and in smaller venues to impart their knowledge
and life experiences regarding the tumultuous path to peace and the
critical need of international support for non-violent dissent; and
WHEREAS, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf currently serves as the President of
Liberia and is the first female Head of State of an African nation; and
WHEREAS, President Sirleaf was the first sitting head of state to
receive the Friend of the Media Award from The African Editor's Union
for her unwavering commitment to the essential freedoms of speech and
association; and
WHEREAS, Leymah Gbowee was one of the first Liberian women to stand
against and help to end the 14 year Liberian civil war by organizing
thousands of female peers to peacefully protest in unique and effective
ways which demanded equitable participation in the democratic process
and an end to war, violence, and corruption in government; and
WHEREAS, Tawakkol Karman is the youngest Nobel Peace Laureate and
first Arab woman to receive the honor; she co-founded Women Journalists
Without Chains, a group of activist journalists from Yemen who rejected
the country's status quo of severe oppression of women and stifling
control of the media; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Karman has lead historic peaceful protests in Yemen that
were met with governmental violence but still she perseveres and serves
as an inspiration to her fellow Yemenites and the world; and
WHEREAS, Global support for and protection of peaceful protest and
non-violent assembly in the face of corruption, war, and oppression
serves as a beacon of hope in war torn developing countries grasping for
the promise of democracy; and
WHEREAS, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakkol Karman all
persisted in their pursuits and exemplified courage in the face of
obstacles; to lead a peaceful movement focused on democracy, freedom
from war and persecution, and equal participation among genders is an
extraordinary feat; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakkol Karman upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients of a Nobel Peace Price; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakkol Karman.