House Resolution 12

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION WELCOMING AND RECOGNIZING VISITING DIGNITARIES FROM THE REPUBLIC OF GUINEA UPON THEIR ARRIVAL TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN SYMBOLIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP TO PROMOTE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH IN THE COUNTRY.

WHEREAS, the Republic of Guinea, formerly known as French Guinea, situated in the northern region of West Africa, forming a crescent as it curves from its western border on the Atlantic Ocean to encompass an area of 94,981 square miles that is home to more than 10 million inhabitants, prides itself on its French motto: "Travail, Justice, Solidarité" being translated means, "Work, Justice, Solidarity"; and

WHEREAS, America's friendship and diplomatic and economic relationships with the Republic of Guinea have become more and more important in the enhancement of the country's economic potential and need for a professional and industrial workforce; and

WHEREAS, Guinea is a democratic, secular and constitutional republic which gained its independence from France on October 2, 1958, and parted ways with its autocratic form of rule in 2010 when it conducted its first presidential election as a testament to its new found democracy and return to civilian rule; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi House of Representatives is honored on February 7, 2014, by a visit from five dignitaries from the Republic of Guinea, namely: his Excellency Mr. Oyé Guilavogui, Minister of Telecommunication and New Technology; Mr. Mohamed Lamine Diallo, Judicial Advisor Ministry of Telecommunication and New Technology; Mr. Billly Nankouma Toure, Fontic Director Ministry of Telecommunication and New Technology; Mr. Abdoulaye S. Diallo; and Mr. Hanif Bagahat; and

WHEREAS, the dignitaries' visit signifies the establishment of an economic partnership between the Republic of Guinea and the State of Mississippi as evidenced by the arrival of his Excellency Mr. Oyé Guilavogui, Mr. Mohamed Lamine Diallo, Mr. Billly Nankouma Toure, Mr. Abdoulaye S. Diallo and Mr. Hanif Bagahat in the City of Jackson to sign a $10 million contract for engineering services with Electrical Contracting Services, LLC, for the purposes of design, quality control and acceptance testing of an approximate 2,500 mile fiber optic network traversing the country; and

WHEREAS, the technological undertaking will be performed by utilizing the skill and expertise of Mississippians from Alcorn, Prentiss and Tishomingo Counties, and will take approximately two years to complete; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to welcome and recognize distinguished dignitaries and diplomats from other democratic countries:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby welcome and recognize these visiting dignitaries from the Republic of Guinea and extend best wishes for their continued success in leading the people of the Republic of Guinea and advancing the economic development success of its country.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to each of the visiting dignitaries, to the Republic of Guinea and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.