Congressman Dan Donovan's latest legislative proposal did not generate a big headline on Staten Island..but it's big news thousands of miles away.

It's a resolution calling for a tribunal to prosecute war crimes committed during Liberia's 14-year civil war.

A reconciliation commission in the African nation recommended such a step, but the court was not created.

"I think this will be a good message to Liberia and the Liberian government, that the United States would like to see the recommendations put into place," Donovan tells NY1.

If that seems like an unsual issue for Staten Island's congressman to champion, this market on the North Shore suggests otherwise.

Immigrants from West Africa sell the food and clothing of their native countries --.and for many, that is Liberia.

The civil war is a topic that still draws forceful reactions

One Liberian we spoke with says, "The civil war was too danger. Killing people! Especially we had a lot of boys; children, they were killing our boys, and raping our girls. It was too dangerous."　

About 8-thousand immigrants from Liberia live on Staten Island...one of the largest Liberian populations in America.

Many recall vividly the atrocities of the civil war.. which formally ended in 2003. A quarter-million Liberians were killed. Thousands more were raped or mutilated.

Liberian immigrant Agnes Trinity says, "Liberia was built on justice, so I don't understand why it should take so long for that to happen. It really should happen."

Wagner College professor Bernadette Ludwig.. who is writing a book about the local Liberian community... sees the resolution as a reflection of the community's size -- and Donovan facing re-election. ""the resolution has an interesting timing, that its like before our elections in November. Dan Donovan is in a swing district," Ludwig says.

She also doubts the resolution carries much weight... because of Donovan's ties to President Trump. "He has been endorsed by the current administration...and the current administration has not always had the kindest words about African countries."

Donovan's office denied a political motive and provided a list of actions he's taken since 2016 to help Liberian refugees. "Elections don't direct Congressman Donovan's agenda -- the interests of his constituents do," a spokesman said.