ULAA HAS A NEW PRESIDENT

National Board of Directors
UNION OF LIBERIAN ASSOCIATIONS IN THE AMERICAS (ULAA)
2077 Park Trail Road
Windsor Mill, Md 21244

Office of the Chairman:
James N. Larsah, Jr.    -- Chairman
Walters James Weah   -- First Vice Chairman
Martha George            -- Second Vice Chairman
Nyekeh Forkpa           -- General Secretary
Frank Stewart, Jr.      -- Treasurer

Resolution
of the
National Board of Directors of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA)
in Special Session convened on March 23, 2009
Resolution B32329

Whereas Chapter VII Article 46 of the Constitution of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) states that “The Board shall meet in regular sessions at least three times a year;”

Whereas Rule #8:2 Quorum of the Rules of Procedures of the National Board of Directors states that “A simple majority of the total number of currently sitting members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business. However, in determining the quorum for any particular session, the seats of suspended members and vacant seats that have not been filled by the accrediting chapters shall not count;

Whereas Chapter I Article 5 of the Constitution of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) stipulates in part that,

“The participation of elected or appointed officials shall be consistent with the principles of separation of powers and authority, delegation of responsibility, and functioning checks and balances,”

Whereas Chapter VI, Article 37 of the Constitution of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) stipulates in part that,

“The National General Assembly (“The Assembly”) shall be the highest institution of the Union and the forum for the mass participation of member-organizations and foreign friends of Liberia (Institutions) in the policy and decision-making processes of the Union,”

Whereas Chapter VII, Article 43 of the Constitution of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) stipulates in part that,

“The National Board of Directors (“The Board”) shall be the second highest governing body of the Union. The Board shall function as the legislative arm of the Union,”

Whereas Chapter VI, Article 38 of the Constitution of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) stipulates that,

“The National General Assembly shall have the power and authority to formulate new policies and make new decisions for the Union, which shall be reviewed, and if deemed fair and feasible, enacted into laws, rules and regulations by the elected representatives of member-organizations seated on the National Board of Directors,”

Whereas Chapter VII Article 48 of the Constitution of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) stipulates that,

“The Board shall have the following powers and authority: …(e) Enact all necessary and proper laws, rules, regulations and procedures for the lawful execution of powers and authority vested by this Constitution in the various institutions of the Union or in an officer or committee of the Union,”

Whereas Chapter XIII Article 85 of the Constitution of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) stipulates that,

“The Board shall give the power and authority to create, design or develop all items, organs and processes necessary for the proper governance of the Union,”

Whereas Chapter II, Article 6 of the Constitution of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) stipulates that,

“The general principles contained in this constitution shall lay the foundation for the smooth, normal, efficient and effective governance of the Union. These principles shall serve as guideposts in the formulation and implementation of the Union policies as well as in the making of legislative, executive and administrative decisions.”

Whereas Chapter II, Article 11 of the Constitution of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) stipulates in part that,

“The Union shall create and provide a conducive environment for the critical examination, discussion and peaceful resolution of …issues or conflicts…”

Whereas Chapter II, Article 12 of the Constitution of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) stipulates in part that,

“The Union shall advocate and engage in activities promotive of good governance and constitutional democracy under the rule of law”

Whereas Chapter XI, Article 60 of the Constitution of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) stipulates in part that,

“The National Elections Law of the Union shall be created by a resolution passed by the Board…Procedures for conducting, supervising and monitoring elections, and hearing and disposing of elections-related complaints shall be established as part of the National Elections Law of the Union,”

Whereas Article II, Section 9 of the Approved Revised 2004 Elections Law of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) stipulates that,

“There shall be a five-member Electoral Panel, which shall hear and dispose of all electoral complaints and appeals. The Panel shall have final jurisdiction in respect of all electoral disputes and complaints. No decision or order of the Panel shall be subject to appeal or review,”

Whereas the Electoral Panel Resolution P81528 issued on August 20, 2008, stipulating in part that the Electoral Panel having considered an electoral complaint by holding numerous unprecedented public hearings on the subject matter and having exhaustively deliberated the critical issues arising from the complaint, and noting the absence of and failure to appear before the Panel by the officers and members of the Elections Commission, despite several invitations extended them by both phone and email communication, declared null and void all actions and decisions of the National Elections Commission …relative to the implementation of the impending 2008 elections and that said actions take by the Elections Commission be treated as if no action had, in fact, been taken hitherto fore,

Whereas, we, the members of the National Board of Directors of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), cognizant of our solemn duty to uphold and defend the Constitution, Laws and Rules of the Union, while demonstrating uncharacteristic due diligence and exercising leadership flexibility, having convened on February 16, 2009 to consider and deliberate the February 4th Washington D.C. Peace Mediation,

Whereas, three (3) of the four (4) major parties to the current ULAA crisis who attended the February 4th Washington D.C. Peace Meeting fully accepted the peace Proposal In Principle, except for the one (1) party that has failed to honor its obligation,

Whereas, we, the members of the National Board of Directors comprehensively deliberated the Washington D.C. brokered peace Proposal In Principle (PIP) and accepted same in totality without any precondition,

Whereas, the ULAA Interim National Administration of Dr. Mator M. F. Kpangbai, recognizing the need for peace in ULAA and having heard widespread public outcry for unity among the various Diaspora communities, humbly and fully accepted the February 4th, 2009 Washington D.C. peace Proposal In Principle (PIP),

Whereas, in fulfillment of the letter and spirit of Board Resolution B92728 giving birth to the ULAA Interim National Administration of Dr. Mator M. F. Kpangbai, and given its monumental and successful immigration initiatives and vigorous campaigns on behalf of thousands of fellow Liberians facing immigration uncertainty, leading to the extension to Deferred Enforcement Departure (DED),

Wherefore, fulfilling our constitutional duties and acting to deliver on the wishes and aspirations of members of the Union, honoring our oath of office and supporting, upholding and defending the constitution of the Union, as well as adhering to the Rules of Procedures of the Board,

WE, members of the National Board of Directors, the legal incorporators and lawful owners of the Union, now, therefore, have resolved as to wit:

1) That in keeping with February 4th Washington D.C. peace mediation, coupled with the public outcry for peace and unity in ULAA, the national elections for ULAA national officers are hereby postponed and rescheduled to be held in July, 2010 consistent with the constitution of the Union,

2) That the specific date and venue for both the 2010 national elections and Annual General Assembly be recommended by the National Administration for the Board’s Approval,

3) That consistent with various constitutional provisions cited above, within the framework of the letter and spirit of the February 4th Washington D.C. brokered peace Proposal In Principle (PIP), accommodating all the three (3) contesting parties, and given that peace and reconciliation in the Union must be pursued in an enabling atmosphere where ULAA is viewed as being greater than any single individual, a ULAA National Administration, with immediate effect as of the date signed hereunder, is hereby established and instituted by the power and authority vested in us, Board members, the legal incorporators and lawful owners of the Union, to provide for a governance framework for the Union, leading to the conduct of credible, transparent and free and fair elections,

4) That members of the ULAA National Administration, representing the various contesting parties except for one, are as follows:

a)   Dr. Mariah Y. Seton    -      Illinois           National Executive President
b)   Hon. Jessey Philips   -       Connecticut      National Executive Vice
c)   Hon. Joseph Tehmeh –   Washington D.C.    National General Secretary
d)   Mr. James Tamba       -    Georgia      National Treasurer

Done on this Twenty Third Day of March, 2009, United States of America (USA).

Signed:

James Nan Larsah, Jr.
CHAIRMAN