[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 61 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  AMERICAN ARAB AND JEWISH FRIENDS OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT HOLDS 12TH 
                  ANNUAL AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIP DINNER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 14, 1998

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the American Arab 
and Jewish Friends of Metropolitan Detroit as they hold their 12th 
Annual Awards and Scholarship Dinner on Sunday, May 17, 1998 and honor 
two distinguished leaders from each community.
  ``The Friends'' organization was established in 1981 to promote 
greater understanding and friendship between these two communities 
involving issues in Metropolitan Detroit. This annual dinner reflects 
their mission statement as it raises funds for college scholarships for 
Arab and Jewish high school seniors. The scholarship recipients are the 
winners of an essay contest emphasizing ``The Ties That Bind'' 
Americans of Arab, Chaldean, and Jewish backgrounds.
  This year ``The Friends'' will honor two outstanding individuals who 
have sought to promote greater understanding between Arabs and Jews. 
They are both influential community activists who have been successful 
because of their intelligence, hard work, persistence, and a deep 
commitment to and caring for their community.
  Dr. Haifa Fakhouri is the President and CEO of the Arab-American and 
Chaldean Council, the nation's largest community-based human service 
agency serving the Arabic and Chaldean speaking populations of 
southeast Michigan. Under her leadership, the Council grew from a 
single office in downtown Detroit to an agency of 28 outreach centers 
in the tri-county area. She has also served as a Special Advisor to the 
United Nation's on women's issues in the Arab World and as a delegate 
to the International Women's Conference in Mexico. Her work has been 
recognized through several awards including the Wayne State University 
Headliner Award and the Governor's Leadership Award.
  Ms. Florine Mark is the President and CEO of The WW Group, Inc., the 
nation's largest franchise of Weight Watchers International. She 
started the company and has been the CEO for over 30 years during which 
the company has grown to approximately 70,000 members. She also serves 
as the Chair of the Detroit Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of 
Chicago and serves on the boards of numerous community organizations 
including the American Red Cross, the Detroit Renaissance Board, and 
Hospice of Southeastern Michigan. Her work has been recognized through 
several awards including the National Association of Women Business 
Owners and the Michigan Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to pay tribute to these outstanding 
leaders and friends and to an organization which plays an important 
role in reminding all of us that we share a common goal of peace and 
security in the Middle East and community activism at home.

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