Josiah Elliott
Josiah Robert Elliott | |
|---|---|
 Josiah Elliot's Presidential portrait, 1986 | |
| 31st President of Zamastan | |
| In office September 22nd, 1986 – September 22nd, 1990 | |
| Preceded by | Cassious Castovia |
| Succeeded by | Elijah Daniels |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 2, 1921 Tregueux, Tregueux, Zamastan |
| Died | December 16th, 2021 (aged 100) White Rock, Jade, Zamastan |
| Citizenship | Zamastanian |
| Nationality | Zamastanian |
| Political party | Green Liberal Party (Zamastan) |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Domestic partner | Vanessa Elliott |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | University of Duncan |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Zamastan |
| Branch/service | Zamastanian Army |
| Years of service | 1943-1956 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | First Danaska War World War |
Josiah Robert Elliott (April 2, 1921 – December 16, 2021) was a Zamastanian politician, soldier, and attorney who served as the 31st President of Zamastan from 1986 until 1990. Elliott was born and raised in Tregueux, where he established a legal career after serving with distinction in the Zamastanian Army during the First Danaska War and the World War. Following a stint as the appointed Tregueux Provincial Attorney, he won election to Congressional Hall in 1978. He served as chairman of the Liberal National Committee from 1978 to 1982 and chairman of the Finance Committee from 1982 to 1986. Elliott ran against Cassious Castovia in 1986, beating the incumbant president as he promised to end the conflict in Vulkaria. However, Elliott inherited the war and continued to commit troops to the conflict. While he won a second two-year term in 1988, his approval ratings plummetted as the war became more unpopular, and he was replaced on the ticket by fellow GLP politician David Macentire. However, Progressive Party candidate Elijah Daniels went on to win the presidency and end the war.
Elliott remained active in politics following his presidency, returning to Congressional Hall as a senator in 1991. He retired from public office in 1999. He continued supporting liberal politicians in their campaigns for President, endorsing Abram Mullen and Camren Ellison throughout their administrations even as renewed conflict broke out in Vulkaria. He also backed Cain Blackwater in all of his unsuccessful presidential campaigns against returned-candidate Cassious Castovia. In 2012, Elliott successfully advocated Senate passage of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. Elliott passed away at the age of 100 on December 16th, 2021.
Early life and education
Josiah Robert Elliott was born on April 2nd, 1921 in Tregueux to Robert and Miriam Elliott. His father was a wealthy attorney, and his mother was a notable socialite in the economic boom of the early 20's. Josiah attended the University of Duncan in Redeemer's Land province, studying law.
Military service
Elliott joined the Zamastanian Army in 1943. As a soldier, he saw combat in the 7-day Danaska War, where he gained notability within the ranks when he charged a Gladysynthian machine gun bunker. Only four years later, he once again saw war on a wider scale during the World War (1949-54), where he climbed to the rank of captain and led missions in northern Drambenburg and Shoassau.
Law career
After the war, Josiah Elliott went into a career of law, working for the Bainsea-based law firm Anderson&Irsa. Eventually, Elliott was appointed as the Tregueux Provincial Attorney after working multiple high profile cases.
Political Career
In 1978 Elliott pursued and won an election for a seat in Congressional Hall. He made himself a powerful figure in the Green Liberal Party, becoming noteworthy as an endorser of Quinn Werner's administration and the post-Gaviria liberal-reforms. When President Damien Lorrie died and Cassious Castovia ascended to the presidency, Elliott led the GLP National Committee to counter the sweep of conservative policies ushered in by the Castovia era politicians.
Presidency
In 1983, Castovia was riding a wave of approval following the bombing of the Alanis Pride Parade and the invasion of Vulkaria to combat and defeat the Malvarian Liberation Front insurgent extremist groups. Elliott and a number of liberals opposed military involvement, but the war went on. However, Castovia's approval began to decline as the war progressed and intensified in violence. Thus, Elliott challenged Castovia for the presidency in 1986, and won on a platform of anti-war policy.
War in Vulkaria
While Elliott promised that the war would end by the end of 1988, he recognized the quagmire that the Zamastanian-led coalition had gotten itself into and instead pledged more forces to the conflict. He won reelection in 1988, but his popularity was dropping dramatically. The GLP National Committee, dissapointed in Elliott's leadership, dropped him from the party's ticket and replaced him with David Macentire in 1990. Elliott fell out of favor with the GLP, and Progressive Party candidate Elijah Daniels won the presidency, removed Zamastanian troops from Vulkaria, and was able to usher in more liberal policies in peacetime.
Post-Presidency life and legacy
Elliott remained active in politics following his presidency, returning to Congressional Hall as a senator in 1991. He retired from public office in 1999. He continued supporting liberal politicians in their campaigns for President, endorsing Abram Mullen and Camren Ellison throughout their administrations even as renewed conflict broke out in Vulkaria. He also backed Cain Blackwater in all of his unsuccessful presidential campaigns against returned-candidate Cassious Castovia. After leaving office, Elliott also joined the Tofino firm Arnard and Hand, where he was a registered lobbyist on behalf of foreign governments (including those of Tasiastan, Haduastan, and Barangadesh); the Zian Airways company; and the Whiskey Industry Coalition.
Death
Elliott had struggled with health issues for several years leading up to his death. In 2014, he was diagnosed with brain cancer, necessitating the use of a mobility scooter, limiting his speech and his ability to travel across the world (due to this, he did not participate at the memorial services of Presidents Avery, Abotsford, and Werner in 2020, and opted to send messages of condolence to their respective families. He was hospitalized numerous times in serious condition, most notably missing the inauguration of Atticus Moreau due to being in the intensive care unit at White Rock Methodist Hospital.
By night on December 16th, his health again worsened and death was imminent. Caspiaan tenor Aldrich Tynan came and sang two songs for Elliott, as his family and friends gathered at the household in White Rock to say their goodbyes. Elliott's last words were "I love you too", spoken to his son, former Senator Allen Elliott, over a speakerphone. Shortly after that conversation, at 10:10 p.m., Elliott died at the age of 100, with Elliott's former Secretary of State Brian Loup describing his death as "peaceful" and adding "If those things could be sweet, it was sweet".
Within hours of his death, the former president's office issued a statement indicating that funeral arrangements would be announced "as soon as practical". The exact cause of death was not immediately announced.
Reaction
Domestic
At mid-morning on December 16, President Atticus Moreau proclaimed December 17th to be a national day of mourning. The proclamation further decreed that Zamastanian flags "on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in Tofino and throughout Zamastan and its Territories and possessions" be lowered to half staff until December 30, 2021. In addition, all agencies of the Government throughout the country were ordered closed on the day of mourning and the Supreme Court announced it would postpone hearing oral arguments in cases which had been previously scheduled for that day. President Moreau also released a statement following the news of President Josiah Elliott's death, stating "President Elliott was a remarkable statesman. For any faults he had, he was truly a patriot and honored this country with his years of service in the military, the public sector, and the contributions made through his tireless efforts beyond his presidency. He will be missed dearly, and this country owes him a debt of gratitude."
Other notable Zamastanian political figures also made statements for the late-President Elliott.
Former-President Foley Sakzi: "President Elliott was a towering figure, a champion of his beliefs, and a great Zamastanian. Hannah and I join the country in prayers for him and his family, including the former-First Lady. God be with President Josiah Robert Elliott."
Former-President Anya Bishop: "May President Elliott rest in eternal peace. A great countryman. I was honored to know him and have his counsel during my administration."
Former-President Zacharias Castovia: "President Elliott once came into my office during my time as President and sat with me and my officials to give input on decisive measures we were about to take. I always admired his quick wit and confidence, as well as his intuition into problems that needed solving. He was a great man and a great Zamastanian patriot. I will miss him very much, as I know our country will. In the days ahead, I will continue to pray for the Elliott family, First Lady Vanessa Elliott, and those who knew and adored President Elliott as I did."
Former-President Camren Ellison: "President Elliott was once the darling of liberals, and though we didn't always agree, he was my dear friend. I will miss him incredibly. He served his country faithfully and with endurance, and his legacy will live on. I am grateful to him for his committment to his fellow Zamastanians and the protection of freedom throughout our country and the world."
Former-President Abram Mullen: "Rest in peace, President Josiah Elliott. I am indebted to you for your service, your kindness and generosity that you showed me and my predecessor during a difficult period in our nation's history. Thank you for your service to this country and your unwavering patriotism."
Former-President Elijah Daniels: "I will never forget the day that President Elliott called to congratulate me on my victory on election day 1990. He had such respect and admiration for others, even those of us who had great disagreement with him. I am honored to have called him my friend dispite our disagreements, because that is the epitomy of what made Josiah Elliott a remarkable and amazing man. This country has rarely seen such an example of bipartisan action and engaging personality as Elliott strung. From the battlefields of Drambenburg and Shoassau, to the commanding position as President in wartime, he saw every angle of our nation's most vital moments. I hope that history looks well on President Elliott, as he truly balanced the most of what any individual in his position would ever have to endure. Rest in peace, my deepest dearest friend."