Saleeby Presented Award by Republic of Liberia
Diocesan Press Service. May 30, 1974 [74168]
NEW YORK, N. Y. -- Elias W. Saleeby, controller of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, has been awarded the insignia and diploma of Commander of the Order of the Star of Africa by the president of the Republic of Liberia.
The award, the highest given to a foreigner, was presented to Mr. Saleeby in New York City on April 23 by the Liberian Consul General, on behalf of president William HR. Tolbert, Jr.
Mr. Saleeby, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., joined the Executive Council staff in 1953 as a traveling auditor in the finance department. Between 1953 and 1966 he spent a great deal of his time in Liberia, assisting the Episcopal diocesan office with its accounting procedures.
During his years in Monrovia, he assisted in a number of building projects in the diocese, including Cuttington College and the Bishop Ferguson High School. A building was constructed to house the diocesan offices, with space leased to other tenants, bringing in a substantial income each year for the work of the diocese.
Mr. Saleeby returned to New York in 1966 to become assistant controller and the following year he became controller.
In 1966, he was awarded the Liberian Humane Order of African Redemption honor by former president William Tubman.