{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=400818", "Statement on Election in Liberia", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), chairman of the Africa Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives, gave the following statement in advance of Liberias presidential run-off election next week:\r\n  Liberia again faces many challenges as their voters headto the polls on December 26, 2017 for its Presidential run-off election. The Government of Liberia must ensure that this vote is free, fair and transparent. Given Americas historic ties to Liberia and the role played by Americo-Liberians in that nations development, as well as the important contributions made by Liberian-Americans in many communities in the United States, we take special interest in the process and are hopeful for a just and fairoutcome.  \r\n\r\n  In the US Congress, we have closely watched the developments in Liberia. Earlier this year, I chaired a hearing The Future of Democracy and Governance in Liberia in advance of the first round of elections where we examined the need for reform and the hope for a new leadership to bring the country into a peaceful and prosperous future. \r\n  In light of the elections proximity to Christmas, we especially pray that peace, tranquility and justice prevail.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=400818"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.132806995883584, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}