H. Res. 1055 
In the House of Representatives, U. S., 
November 13, 2018. 
Whereas today the United States is home to an estimated 
80,000 people of Liberian ancestry in vibrant commu-
nities across the country, who have been instrumental in 
America’s efforts to build a peaceful, democratic, and 
prosperous Liberia; 
Whereas Liberia and the United States share close historical, 
political, and economic ties over the course of a nearly 
200-year relationship; 
Whereas the people and Government of the United States 
have a deep interest in Liberia’s democratic stability and 
postconflict development; 
Whereas the civil war from 1991 to 2002 resulted in the 
death of over 200,000 people in Sierra Leone and Libe-
ria, the displacement of over 1,000,000 persons, and the 
horrific cases of amputations, mass rape, and human 
rights abuses conducted under the leadership of Charles 
Taylor; 
Whereas Charles Taylor was convicted through the Special 
Court for Sierra Leone for 11 different charges of war 
crimes, crimes against humanity, such as rape, sexual 
abuse, and slavery, and violation of international law, in-
cluding the use of child soldiers;
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Whereas a comprehensive peace agreement was signed by the 
Government of Liberia, rebel groups, and political parties 
in 2003; 
Whereas the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as estab-
lished under the 2003 comprehensive peace agreement, 
was formally created in 2005 with a mandate ‘‘to pro-
mote national peace, security, unity and reconciliation by 
investigating gross human rights violations and violations 
of humanitarian law, sexual violations, and economic 
crimes that occurred between January 1979 and October 
2003’’; 
Whereas the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released a 
report in December 2008 recommending the establish-
ment of an Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal for Liberia 
and listed individuals, corporations, and institutions rec-
ommended for further investigation and prosecution, 
among other recommendations; 
Whereas the Government of Liberia has not fully imple-
mented the recommendations of the Truth and Reconcili-
ation Agreement to date, including the establishment of 
an Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal; 
Whereas Liberia experienced its first democratic and peaceful 
transition of power since 1944 after President Ellen 
Johnson Sirleaf respected constitutional term limits and 
George Weah defeated Vice President Joseph Boakai fol-
lowing a runoff during the 2017 Presidential elections; 
Whereas the United States congratulated the people of Libe-
ria on the successful conclusion of the Presidential runoff 
election and recognized the important role Liberia’s Su-
preme Court, political parties, security forces, and civil
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society organizations played in holding a peaceful and 
transparent contest; and 
Whereas the United States Government and American citi-
zens have invested in Liberia to rebuild and support 
democratic institutions, postconflict recovery, economic 
growth, improved access to education and health care, 
professionalization of the country’s military and civilian 
security forces, and efforts to foster accountability and 
transparency of government institutions: Now, therefore, 
be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) upholds its commitment to maintain and foster 
the enduring relationship between the people and the 
Governments of the United States and Liberia; 
(2) urges the Government and people of Liberia to 
support the truth and reconciliation process through full 
implementation of the recommendations of the Truth 
and Reconciliation Commission, including the establish-
ment of an Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal; and 
(3) supports efforts by the Department of State and 
United States Agency for International Development to 
advance Liberian efforts toward national reconciliation
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through continued support for the rule of law, effective 
governance, and the robust role of civil society. 
Attest: 
Clerk.