HIGHLIGHTS OF HISTORICAL EVENTS
By Mr. Perry Geevon Smith - Vice President of BAT

On April 23, 1995 at 5 P.M. at the Liberian Christian Church, 3348 Hurst Blvd., Hurst, Texas (817) 685-8025 the Bassa People of Texas held the first meeting forming an association called the Yonjay. In attendance were:

  1. Mr. & Mrs. Albert Traell
  2. Rev. and Mrs. Nathaniel B. Johnson
  3. Mr. Zack Topo
  4. Mr. Y. Henry Crayton
  5. Mr. David Peters
  6. Mr. Stephen Joe

On December 23, 2001 at the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Albert Travell, The Bassa People held another meeting that brought the proposed Bassa Association of Texas Organizing Committee into existence. Mr. Arthur T. Jallah was appointed as the chairman of the organizing committee on that date. Mr. James Gboyah was appointed as Co-Chairman, Mrs. Juliana Johnson as Secretary and Mr. Perry Geevon Smith as Consultant to the Organizing Committee.

On February 3, 2002 the Proposed Bassa Association of Texas (BAT) held it's second meeting under the able leadership of Mr. Jallah at the Jallah's residence.

On March 31, 2001 BAT By-Laws and Constitution Committee was instituted by the Organizing Committee Chairman, Mr. Arthur T. Jallah in Euless, TX, USA at Mr. James Gboyah's apartment at 8:15 PM. Mr. Perry Geevon Smith was appointed as Chairman of the Drafting Committee.

On May 19, 2002, a meeting was held at the Liberian Community Center. BAT Election Commissioners were appointed and Mr. Moses Elliott was named as its Chairman. On that same date at the Liberian Community Hall in Euless, TX, the BAT By-Laws and Constitution printing process was paid for. These are the names of the ones that paid the amount of $20.00 each, totaling $180.00:

  1. Mr. Isaac Hennings
  2. Mrs. Lucy Larmouth
  3. Mr. James G. Gboyah
  4. Mr. Arthur T. Jallah
  5. Mrs. Edith Jallah
  6. Rev. Nathaniel B. Johnson
  7. Mrs. Julianna D. Johnson
  8. Mr. Perry Geevon Smith
  9. Mr. Stephen Joe

Twenty-five dollars of the $180.00 collected was paid to Mr. Henry Chibli, President of the Liberian Community for using the LCA Hall on May 19, 2002.

On May 22, 2002, the first payment of $95.00 was made to the Lasting Impression Printing Co. on Abrams Street in Arlington, TX for BAT By-Laws and Constitution printing. The first final copy was received from that printing company which is owned by Juan M. Soliz, 11411 E. Abram, Suite C, Arlington, TX 76010 Phone: 817-275-3940 Fax: 817-275-1276

On May 31, 2002, Mr. Perry Geevon Smith, Chairman of BAT By-Laws and Constitution Committee presented the final copy from the printing press to the Organizing Committee Chairman, Mr. Arthur T. Jallah.

On June 9, 2002, the Drafting Committee and Approved Revised Committee signed the BAT By?Laws and Constitution.

On August 10, 2002, BAT's first well-organized election was held under a decent atmosphere with Mr. Moses Elliott as Presiding Chairman. On that date, Mr. Stephen N. Joe won by acclimation as President, Mr. Perry Geevon Smith as Vice-President, Mrs. Julianna D. Johnson as Secretary and Mr. Henry Y. Crayton as Treasurer. The election was held at Mr. Arthur T. Jallah's residence.

On August 17, 2002 at 8:OOPM at Mr. Moses Elliott's apartment, the first meeting was held under The Stephen Joe Administration, which runs from August 10, 2002 through August 10, 2004 according to the By-Laws and Constitution of BAT.

On August 17, 2002, Rev. Nathaniel Johnson and Vice-President Perry Geevon Smith were asked to draft the letterhead of the association.

On August 20, 2002, Mrs. Julianna Johnson and Perry Geevon Smith took the rough draft of the letterhead to the printing press to be considered.

On September 7, 2002, BAT first cookout was held at the Liberian Community Center (LCA).

On September 16, 2002, BAT regular meeting was held at Sister Ora Peabody's apartment in Euless, TX. President-Elect Mr. Stephen Joe appointed Mr. John Petersen as Coordinator General and Mr. Isaac Henning as his Assistant.

On September 22, 2002, BAT regular meeting was held at Brother Isaac Henning's apartment in Hurst, TX.

On September 28, 2002, BAT held its First Installation Program in Euless, TX at the LCA Center. Mrs. Weda Brownell, Secretary General for the conference of the Liberian Association in the Southern Region of America was it's first guest speaker and installing officer.

On October 13, 2002, BAT elected officers first meeting was held at Sister Precious Sieh's apartment in Sotogrande, Hurst, TX USA.

On October 22, 2002, BAT deposited $115 1.00 at Wells Fargo Bank in Texas as the first amount, according to its banking rules and regulations.

On November 10, 2002, BAT held its first mass meeting at the LCA Center in Euless, TX.

On November 21, 2002, Mr. Lee David, Jr. paid $50.00 for his meeting dues for him and his children, Amehda David and Quincy Kilby.

On November 21, 2002, Vice?President Perry Geevon Smith received $80.00 from Chairman Stephen Joe for printing purposes and purchasing of stationery. Vice-President Smith also mailed informative materials to friends and associates of Bass in the United States, Africa and Europe announcing the existence of The Bassa Association of Texas.

On December 14, 2002, the Year Ending Program was held by BAT at the Liberian Community Center.

On March 10, 2003, The United States Postal Service reported BAT mailbox closed for not updating the box.

On Marchl 6, 2003, the regular meeting was held at Chain?nan Stephen Joe's residence in Bedford, TX.

On March 25, 2002, Vice-President Perry Geevon Smith ordered the reopening of the mailbox with Treasurer Y. Henry Crayton issuing a check for $76.00 from BAT account paid to the United States Postal Office in Arlington, TX. A receipt was issued and displaced to the association member.

On March 30, 2003, the regular meeting was held at Mahkind Diggs Gaye's residence. Attendees were:

  1. Benjamin Gbapaywhea
  2. James Gboyah
  3. Henry Crayton
  4. Stephen Joe
  5. Arthur T. Jallah
  6. Perry Geevon Smith
  7. Abigail Diggs
  8. Lewis Trokon Korvah
  9. Rebecca Diggs
  10. Jerry Munford
  11. Lee David, Jr.
  12. Julianna D. Johnson
  13. Samuel Brewer
  14. Rev. Nathaniel Johnson
  15. Mahkind Diggs Gaye

On April 7, 2003, BAT received Campaign Brochures from Mr. Natt Ousley EarlyResidential Candidate, Mr. Toman Titus Gboyah - Vice-Presidential Candidate, Ms. Etta Gebizion - Financial Secretary Candidate and Mr. Robert A. Garguah - Candidate for Treasurer. They wanted BAT to vote at the Detroit, Michigan Convention in May 2003.

On May 2, 2003, the meeting was held with the Bishop of the United Methodist Church of Liberia, Bishop John Innis at Chairman Joe of BAT's residence in Bedford, TX

On May23 through the 26 th , 2003, Chairman Stephen Joe, Vice-President Perry Geevon Smith, Treasurer Mr. Y. Henry Crayton and Sister Mahkind Diggs Gaye traveled to Detroit, Michigan, USA for the 13th UNIBOA Convention. It was Bassa Association of Texas' first time attending the convention and we were presented a Certificate of Membership by the UNIBOA.

On May 30, 2003, Vice-President Perry Geevon Smith and Rev. Nathaniel Bakon Johnson, Ambassador of BAT, supported a proposal that brought BAT into membership of the United Bassa (Liberian) Organizations in the Americas (UNIBOA).

On June 22, 2003, the regular meeting was held at Sister Lucy Larmouth's residence. Attendees were:

  1. Abigail Diggs
  2. Ella A. Gray
  3. Eric Johnson
  4. Henry Y. Crayton
  5. James Gboyah
  6. Joyce C
  7. Lucy Larmouth
  8. Mr. Larmouth
  9. Moses Elliott
  10. Ora Y. Peabody
  11. Perry Geevon Smith
  12. Precious Sieh
  13. Rebecca Diggs
  14. Stephen Joe

On July 20, 2003, the regular meeting held at Mr. Henry Y. Crayton's residence. Attendees were:

  1. Abigail Diggs
  2. Desaykpon Marshall
  3. Ernest Wilfred Kahn
  4. Henry Y. Crayton
  5. Julianna Johnson
  6. Lee David, Jr.
  7. Lucy Robert Larmouth
  8. Lewis Korvah
  9. Maryanne Okuodaye
  10. Moses Elliott
  11. Patricia Neyor
  12. Perry Geevon Smith
  13. Edwin Chea
  14. Rebecca Diggs
  15. Stephen Joe
  16. Nathaniel Johnson

On August 17, 2003 a meeting was held at Abigail Digg's apartment in Arlington, TX. Attendees were:

  1. Abigail Diggs
  2. Dehsaykpon Marshall
  3. Lee David
  4. Lucy Robert Larmouth
  5. Mahkind Diggs Gaye
  6. Perry Geevon Smith
  7. Rebecca Diggs
  8. Stephen Joe
  9. Victoria Saygbay
  10. Ralph Wallo
  11. Hawa Lincoln
  12. Merci Mason

On August 30, 2003, the BAT held its first Queen Contest. Constesting queens representing the four Bassa counties were:

  1. Queen Mayson - Miss Grand Bassa Co.
  2. Hawa. Larmouth - Miss Margibi Co.
  3. Valerie Mickeever - Miss Montserrado Co.
  4. Patricia Neyor - Miss River Cess Co.

Hawa Larmouth, Miss Margibi County, won the contest and was crowned as the First Queen for the BAT.

On September 21, 2003, the regular meeting was held at Mr. Perry Geevon Smith's apartment in Arlington, TX, Attendees were:

  1. James Gboyah
  2. Rev. Nathaniel Johnson
  3. Ora Y. Peabody
  4. Moses Elliott
  5. Precious Sieh
  6. Arthur Jallah
  7. Rebecca Diggs
  8. Abigail Diggs
  9. Edwin Chea
  10. Hawa Larmouth
  11. Lucy Larmouth
  12. Julianna Johnson
  13. Perry Geevon Smith

On October 19, 2003, the regular meeting was held at Mr. Edwin Chea's apartment in Bedford, TX. Attendees were:

  1. Noah Chea
  2. Rebecca Diggs
  3. Stephen Joe
  4. Nathaniel Kaiyepue
  5. Abigail Diggs
  6. Julianna Johnson
  7. Rev. Nathaniel Johnson
  8. Edwin Chea
  9. Lucy Larmouth

At this meeting it was accepted for the UNIBOA Board of Directors meeting to be held in Texas on February 14, 2004. On this note, BAT agreed to host the February 14, 2004 Board Meeting.

On November 23, 2003, the regular meeting was held at President Stephen Joe's residence in Bedford, TX. Attendees were:

  1. Lewis Korvah
  2. Abigail Diggs
  3. Rebecca Diggs
  4. Mahldnd Diggs Gaye
  5. Laura Stellar
  6. Precious Sieh
  7. Rev. Nathaniel Johnson
  8. Edwin A. Chea
  9. Moikin Gedeh
  10. Stataria Wordsworth
  11. Victoria Saygbay
  12. Jerry T. Munford
  13. Masa Ward
  14. Betty Munford
  15. Benjamin Gbapaywhea
  16. Arthur T. Jallah
  17. Lucy Robert Larmouth
  18. B. Wordsworth
  19. Chima Q. Manuel
  20. Lee David
  21. Stephen N. Joe
  22. Perry Geevon Smith

On this date at the meeting every member brought in a dish and drinks. Thanksgiving Day was celebrated within the association.

On December 21, 2003, the regular meeting was held at Mr. Benjamin Gbapaywhea's residence. Attendees were:

  1. Julianna D. Johnson
  2. Henry Y. Crayton
  3. Arthur T. Jallah
  4. Noah Chea
  5. Nathaniel Kaiyepue
  6. Stephen Joe
  7. Rebecca Diggs
  8. Abigail Diggs
  9. Mahkind Diggs Gaye
  10. Hawa Larmouth
  11. Lucy Larmouth
  12. Ralph Wallo
  13. Benjamin Gbapaywhea
  14. Rev. Nathaniel B. Johnson
  15. Lewis Korvah
  16. Perry Geevon Smith

On January 18, 2004, the regular meeting was held at Rev. Nathaniel B. Johnson's residence. Attendees were:

  1. Stephen Joe
  2. Perry Geevon Smith
  3. Abigail Diggs
  4. Lewis Korvah
  5. Merci Mason
  6. Lucy Larmouth
  7. Nathaniel Kaiyepur
  8. Noah Chea
  9. Ella Gray
  10. Julianna D. Johnson
  11. Rev. Nathaniel B. Johnson
  12. Precious Sich
  13. Moses Elliott
  14. Noah Chea
  15. Henry Y. Crayton

On February 1, 2004, the Executive Committee elected the following as Board Members of BAT:

  1. Noah Chea
  2. Merci Mason
  3. Benjamin Gbapaywhea
  4. Lucy Larmouth
  5. Stephen Joe

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