The White House has announced that Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will receive America’s highest government honor awarded to civilians, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The announcement, according to a dispatch from the Office of President Sirleaf’s Press Secretary, was made on Monday by United States President George Bush. President Bush said he was bestowing the honor on the Liberian President in recognition of her efforts to help heal a country torn apart by conflict through perseverance, personal courage and an unwavering commitment to building a more hopeful future for her homeland. The first elected female President of an African country, the U.S. President recalled that the Liberian leader has worked to expand freedom and improve the lives of people in Liberia and across Africa.

President Johnson Sirleaf is among seven other recipients of the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom to be honored at a White House ceremony on Monday, November 5, 2007.

Established by an Executive Order in 1963, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded annually to any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interest of the United States, world peace, culture or other significant public or private endeavor.

At a White House meeting last week with the Liberian President, Mr. Bush lauded President Sirleaf for her strong spirit and deep desire to enhance democracy and improve the lives of all Liberians.

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