Monrovia – The late Senator Geraldine Doe-Sheriff, who was affectionately referred to as ‘The General’, ‘Floor Fighter’, by legislative staffers and journalists, was one of two female senators in the Senate after the defeat of Musu Freeman and the ascendance to the Vice Presidency of Senator Jewel Howard Taylor.
Senator Nyounblee Karnga-Lawrence, who now stands as the lone female senator amongst 29 males could not hold her tears as she and her male colleagues remembered their fallen friend in a brief session.
To further show their respect to Sen. Doe-Sheriff, the senators have arranged themselves in a certain way to visit the home of their late colleague, who died in Ghana over the weekend.
Senate Pro -Tempore Albert Chie in open session remembered her and the level of contributions she made to the Senate.
“She was a floor fighter; her sense of humors will forever be missed,” he stated.
Pro Tempore Chie also announced that Vice President Taylor and Senator Dan Morias are in Ghana making final arrangements for the return of the corpse.
Doe-Sheriff replaced another senator, Hannah Bryant, who, too, had passed. Sen. Doe-Sheriff contested in 2011 and won again. Hannah Brent, who was a CDC Senator in the legislature, died in 2009.
Prior to Doe-Sheriff’s death, she served as Chairman on the Senate Committee on Executive. She was expected to contest for re-election in 2020.
For Senator Karnga-Lawrence, Doe-Sheriff wasn’t just a colleague to her but a mentor especially when it came to legislative politics and floor maneuvering. Karnga-Lawrence, too, got elected in a by-election as Grand Bassa County Senator as a result of the death of Senator John Whitfield.
On Tuesday, with teary eyes, the Pro-Tempore read eulogies from his colleagues, who had expressed shock when news broke.
“This is a very sad news for the Liberian Senate and Liberia. Bye, bye to our bloc leader and unifier.”
“The strong iron lady is gone; she is no more. A great loss to all of us; she will be remembered for her brave and courageous stance during her political lifetime.”
“This is so hard; I feel like falling apart”
“What a tragedy! Lady Zico, sleep well, for God will take care of your family you have left behind.”
“God have mercy, this is so hard to believe; death is the real enemy of mankind.”
“Oh death, your cold hands have snatched away this illustrious daughter of the Southeast, yea the Republic of Liberia. We love you, Lady Zico, but God loves you best.”
“The messages above clearly depict our fallen colleague. She is gone but we are left behind to continue the struggle, the struggle of life in the public service, where no politician can win, no matter what he or she does,” the Pro-Temp stated.
Pro-temp Chie disclosed that the Executive and Legislative Branches are collaborating to give the fallen Chair on Executive a befitting state burial.
On Sunday, February 10, President Weah eulogized Senator Doe-Sheriff as an exemplary public servant.
The President prayed that God will grant the bereaved family and all those mourning this great loss the strength and fortitude to go through this time of desolation. “Senator Doe-Sheriff fought a great fight,” he added.
“Her impeccable record of service to Nation and contributions to Liberian women’s upliftment will always be remembered and celebrated. As she bid us farewell, may her soul rest in perfect peace and may light perpetual shine on her,” the President said.
Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor described the fallen Senator as one who was full of life and joy; adding: “Oh death, you have taken one of our best.”
