Event dubbed largest Arab American political gathering in state
DEARBORN — About 625 people gathered at a banquet hall in Dearborn on Friday to celebrate ten years of services from an influential group of community organizers. The Arab American Political Action Committee’s 10th Annual Dinner was scheduled right before local elections, as the event is every year, to kick off a get-out-the-vote campaign.

Michigan’s House Speaker Andy Dillon speaking at AAPAC 10 annual banquet on November 2, 2007

Several local elected officals, state congressmen and a U.S. congressman attended and spoke at the event on  the commitee’s influence and on the importance of Arab American political activity. “I’m here tonight because I know how important you are,” said Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives Andy Dillon, who keynoted the event. He spoke about his Irish immigrant parents, the discrimination they once faced and the importance of having a unified political voice in an ethnic community. He said that the Arab American Political Action Commitee (AAPAC) provides that voice today. AAPAC President Osama Siblani, who is also publisher of The Arab American News, said that the occasion celebrated a milestone in the community’s political involvement. “Arab Americans are more determined than ever to be a part of the political mainstream, to participate fully in the political process in America,” Siblani said. U.S. Rep. and presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich was honored at the event for what organizers described as unwavering principle in consistently speaking out against war and injustice for years. State Representative Gino Polidori and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy were presented with public service awards. Local business owner Moussa Kaddouh and local student Abbas Alawieh were presented with community service and youth leadership awards.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich and wife Elezibath were honored by the group.

Polidori, who has served as Dearborn Fire Chief, City Councilman and State Representative, sponsored a House Bill earlier this year that amended Michigan’s foster care laws to give special consideration to relatives when placing children into new families. The House passed the bill unanimously after hearing testimony from an Arab American family, who also attended the AAPAC dinner. Worthy, the first African-American and the first woman to become Wayne County Prosecutor, has shown a commitment to maintaining diversity in her office, according to AAPAC organizers. Kaddouh, a founding member of the Congress of Arab American Organizations and Chairman of the Board of the Islamic Institute of Knowledge, has been an integral part of local community groups for years, AAPAC leaders said. Alawieh, 16, serves as the Chairman of the Education and Youth Committee for AAPAC, and has been involved in a range of efforts including blood drives, scholarship funds, hospital volunteering and cancer fundraising. Alawieh’s high school princlple, Imad Fadlallah of Fordson High in Dearborn, spoke about Alawieh’s efforts and tireless young enthusiasm.  “This community is in good hands and this country is in good hands,” Fadlallah said, “between the principle that Dennis Kucinich gives us today and the hope that Abbas Alawieh gives us today.”

A framed document recognizing the group’s ten years of contributions was presented to AAPAC by State Representatives Polidori, Dillon, Morris Hood III and Bob Constan, signed by Governor Jennifer Granholm

AAPAC was founded in January of 1998 by a group of Arab American professionals to organize and encourage the political activities of Arab Americans. A non-partisan organization, AAPAC prepares, advises and supports Arab American candidates for political office and encourages and assists Arab Americans to pursue public service careers in all branches of the government.  A careful endorsement process each year results in a slate of endorsements recommended by AAPAC and distributed to the community. After the scheduled speeches at   Friday’s event, Polidori took over the microphone, surprising AAPAC members with a special tribute on behalf of the state. A framed document recognizing the group’s ten years of contributions was presented to AAPAC by State Representatives Polidori, Dillon, Morris Hood III and Bob Constan, signed by Governor Jennifer Granholm.

State Representative Gino Polidori and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy were presented with public service awards. Local business owner Moussa Kaddouh and local student Abbas Alawieh were presented with community service and youth leadership awards

Photos: Nafeh AbuNab You may view the entire collection of photos available for purchase at: www.americanelitestudios.com