The Major of the city of Raleigh North Carolina has honored Gambians in Raleigh by declaring May 17th as “Gambia Day” after successfully hosting a three day national conference in Raleigh from May 17th – 19th 2013. The Mayor Nancy McFarlane declared this honor in a letter sent to the Chairman of the Gambia Democratic Action Group(GDAG) Alkali Conteh. The proclamation is in recognition of the presence of large Gambian population and their immense contributions economically and socially towards the development of the city of Raleigh. It was also in response to an earlier request made by Mr. Conteh at the opening of the Gambia Conference on Democracy and Good Governance in Raleigh symbolizing Gambia’s desire to restore Democracy good governance and rule of law in Gambia. Gambians in Raleigh can now proudly come together annually to celebrate this great day of recognition in Raleigh. This move puts Gambia permanently on the map of the great State of North Carolina and by default the United States of America.
Below is the declaration letter as it was sent to Chairman Conteh.
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Gambia is the smallest country on the African continent; and,
WHEREAS, the Gambia proclaimed itself a republic on April 24, 1970; and,
WHEREAS, citizens of the Gambia have a long and storied history of seeking and supporting a democratic form of self-government; and,
WHEREAS, Gambians from all over the world attended the Gambia conference on Democracy and Good Governance at Raleigh, North Carolina May 17th through May 19th to discuss their beloved Gambia;
NOW, THEREFORE, do I, Nancy McFarlane, Mayor of the City of Raleigh, do hereby proclaim May 17, 2013 as “GAMBIA DAY”
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the City of Raleigh, to be affixed this TwentyFourth
Day of May, 2013.
Mayor Nancy McFarlane
Raleigh North Carolina