On Friday July 25th, the Conference of Liberian Organization in the Southwest United States (COLOSUS, Inc) held their annual meeting and elections of new core of officers. Officers elected are: Those elected are: Willie Kim Kamara; Secretary General, Ms. Zoe Darling; Deputy Secretary General and Isaac Constance; Recording Secretary, Joseph Dennis as Financial Secretary, Albert Travell; Social Secretary, Patrick Manjoe as Protocol & Information Officer and Robertetta Burroughs as Chaplain.

On Saturday morning, a unity worship service was held at the New Life Fellowship Church in Euless TX, where Rev. Nathan Kortu is the Pastor. Rev. Kortu welcome all Liberians to the July 26 Day celebration and prayed for Liberia for 161years of freedom. Rev. Kortu then challenged the Liberians present to launch an initiative for every Liberian living in the United State to contribute financial amount for a project in Liberia. He said it was time that Liberians in the US undertook a project in our country as a collective effort.

After the worship service, COLOSUS held their general meeting where issues relating to the operation of the organization were discussed. The meeting was chaired by the outgoing President of COLOSUS Mrs. Maria J. Chibli. A constitution committee was formed to address amendments. The issue of the association 501C status was also discussed during the meeting.

The meeting ended with the members being fed to a Texas style lunch catered by the Chaplain Ms. Robertetta Burroughs. The dishes included: potato green, cassava leaf, palava sauce, fried chicken, fried plantain, assortment of deserts and drinks.

The meeting was podcast by Mr. Patrick Manjoe of Running Africa who is also the new Protocol & Information Officer of COLOSUS. The meeting was also covered by Mr. Ralph Henri of Zoebush who is also Communication and Marketing Director for LCA – DFW

July 26 Unity Soccer Tournament

A unity soccer tournament was held on Saturday July 26 afternoon as part of the 161st Independent Day Celebration. This was a county meet style soccer tournament. The games were held under the hot Texas heat of over 100 degrees. Not withstanding, the games were played with many Liberians and supporters cheering on their county or origin. Counties participating were Grand Gedeh County, Nimba County, Cape Mount County and Mount Gibi County.

The first match was between Grand Gedeh and Nimba Counties, After 90 minutes of Liberian style tabela (soccer). The soccer power house of Grand Gedeh dominated the young team of Nimba County by winning 4 goals to nothing.

The next match was between professionals of Mount Gibi County and the experience team from Cape Mount County. According to information reaching us before publication, Cape Mount County was no match for the boys of Mount Gibi County.

The championship match will be played on Sunday for the winner of the Unity Cup. Mr. Oscar Sherman who is sport director for LCA-DFW was on the field during the matches to encourage the members to play their best for their various counties. Promoter and manager C. J. Wreh entertained the fans by playing Liberian music during the soccer match.

Independence Day Dinner, Queen Contest and Ball

On Saturday July26 night, all Liberians, friends of Liberia, supporters and African community organization converged on the 700 plus capacity African Community Center own and operated by Mr. James Coleman President of LCA –DFW for the 161st Independence Day Dinner, Queen Contest and Ball.

The hall was packed to capacity with standing room only. The cost for the ball was $25.00 single and $50.00 for patron. Many organizations individual and churches bought tables at the cost of $200.00 each. Yes we in Texas do things Big. Money is no object when it comes to our country’s 161st Birthday Celebration. Ms. Cece Massaquoh did a masterful piece in decorating the hall in the Liberian colors for the program.

The program started by the DJ playing Happy Birthday song for Liberia. All Liberians got on the floor and dance to the birthday song.

That was just the beginning of more great things to come for the night. Mrs. Mariah J. Chibli out going president of COLOSUS gave her state of the association address. The stress the positives of the association and the various projects they are undertaking in Liberia, the G.W. Gibson School project of providing desks for the classrooms. She also mentioned the project of helping the disables in Liberia.

She thanked the members of the trust and support given her during her term of office and promised to work with the new administration.

The newly elected officers were installed by Mrs. Ernest McCauley who told the officers to take seriously the oath of office they were taking and work for the betterment of the association.

Keynote Speaker

City Council Member Charlye Heggins, District 1; City Of Denton was the key note speaker for the 161st Independence day Celebration.

Council Woman Heggins thanked the community for inviting her to be the keynote speaker for such an occasion. She admonished Liberians to be involved in the reconstruction and development of their country.

She said after 14ryears of civil war that left the country in ruin, it was up to Liberian to work together with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in rebuilding the country to what it once was.

She said with God on our side, the country will be rebuilt. She also gave similarity of the struggles the slaves went through and how they have overcome some of their struggles.

She said the same is for Liberia, the country will not be rebuilt overnight but it will take the collective effort of all Liberians working together and with the help of God.

Queen Contest

Denver, CO won the queen contest after three contested rounds of financial power play among the chapters, members and supporters. The three were Dallas – LCA, Oklahoma – LCA and Denver, CO –LCA. Denver Held back until the last 2 seconds to dropped their big check into the plate. This caught everyone by surprise.

Both Texas and Oklahoma have vowed that next year, they will not be caught off guard. The Queen was crowned and admonished to wear the crown with pride and represent the organization well. This concluded the former part of the program.

The parted lasted until 4:00AM in the morning. It was truly a Great Independence Day!