|
| (Left) Allie Berry, Judge Sam Salamey, Asssitant U.S. Attorney Abed Hammoud, Ali Jawad and Wassim Mahfouz. |
DEARBORN — On Friday, May 9, the Lebanese American Heritage Club (LAHC) awarded $60,000 in scholarships to 60 students at its 26th annual Arab American Scholarship Foundation Awards Gala.
The LAHC manages one of the largest scholarship programs in the state. The program awards the academic success of deserving students.
More than 1000 people attended the event. This year the LAHC honored Wal-Mart for its commitment to partnering up with it to help serve the needy in southeast Michigan.
Abed Hammoud, assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, was also honored at the gala with the LAHC Award for Excellence and Great Achievements.
After
receiving his award Abed Hammoud thanked the LAHC and its leaders and stated
that he was very proud to still count himself as one of its members. He then spoke about the opportunity and
empowerment offered by this great country, not only to those who are born on
its soil, but also to those who come here from other places seeking a better
life.
receiving his award Abed Hammoud thanked the LAHC and its leaders and stated
that he was very proud to still count himself as one of its members. He then spoke about the opportunity and
empowerment offered by this great country, not only to those who are born on
its soil, but also to those who come here from other places seeking a better
life.
Hammoud mentioned his own move
from the county prosecutor’s office to the US Attorney’s Office and said that
the door of any agency in the federal government are open to the “qualified
among us” if they knock on them, as he invited others to public service. He
stated that Arab Americans are good and loyal citizens who can and should serve
their country. “We are good Americans NOT when we take from this country, which already
gave us so much, but when we give back,” Hammoud said.
from the county prosecutor’s office to the US Attorney’s Office and said that
the door of any agency in the federal government are open to the “qualified
among us” if they knock on them, as he invited others to public service. He
stated that Arab Americans are good and loyal citizens who can and should serve
their country. “We are good Americans NOT when we take from this country, which already
gave us so much, but when we give back,” Hammoud said.
He concluded
that some people in the United States may face more obstacles than others
because they were born abroad or because of accent or skin color but that the
best way to deal with this is “by working even harder and excelling at what
we do to silence the skeptics and contribute to make America an even stronger nation.”
“Abed is a success story for the Arab American community,” said Ali Jawad, LAHC founder. “He is a man of integrity and compassion and has worked tirelessly to help make our communities safe. His hard work and leadership are to be commended and it was our honor to award him this year.”
Other speakers included representatives from the CIA, Ford Motor Company, Chief Federal Judge Gerald Rosen of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and LAHC President Sam Salamey.
LAHC Vice President and Treasurer Suehaila Amen presented the scholarship awards to the students. Glenda Lewis, a news anchor and reporter for WXYZ Channel 7, served as the mistress of ceremonies.
Wassim Mahfouz, LAHC Executive Director, addressed attendees and thanked them for their continued support and commitment to the LAHC.
“Enriching Lives-Embracing Diversity is not only a slogan displayed on our logo, it is a way of living that guides us in our mission in serving people, all the people, regardless of race, religion, ethnic background and sexual orientation,” Mahfouz said.
A video presentation highlighted the LAHC’s commitment to serving the community through its various programs. Those who have benefited from the group’s programs were interviewed in the video.
The LAHC has programs focused on feeding the homeless, youth mentoring, leadership diversity training, healthy living and tutoring programs.
Many of its members have also made visits to homeless shelters to help the needy.
Popular comedian and magician Mark Robinson performed at the gala.
Leave a Reply