[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 152 (Monday, December 11, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S11761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ON THE DEATH OF SALIM Y. SARAFA

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to pay respect to a 
dear friend of mine who passed away recently. Salim Y. Sarafa helped 
start the Chaldean-Iraqi Association of Michigan, became its first 
president in 1954 and served three terms in that post. The 
association's first facility was built in 1979, and now includes the 
Southfield Manor and the Shenandoah Golf and Country Club.
  Salim served on the St. Michael's School Board and was vice-chairman 
of the Associated Food Dealers of Michigan. He also helped develop a 
school that taught students to read, write, and speak Arabic. He was 
active in the National Association of Arab-Americans, the American-Arab 
Anti-Discrimination Committee and the Republican Party at the state and 
national levels.
  He was born in Telkaif, Iraq, in 1921. He earned an education degree 
from the University of Baghdad and became a high school teacher in 
1942. He went on to teach in Kut in southern Iraq for four years before 
being promoted to assistant principal of a school near Baghdad. He left 
teaching to become director general of the Iraqi Department of Public 
Works.
  Salim came to the United States in 1951. While living with the George 
Jonna family, he worked in their store, Union Pacific Market, until he 
opened his own store in 1953. He met and married Margarett George that 
same year.
  In 1957, he and four partners opened Big Dipper Market, Detroit's 
largest independent supermarket at the time. He also was involved in a 
construction company, convenience store and wholesale business over the 
years. He got into the real estate business in 1968 and remained active 
until retiring in 1995.
  He is survived by three sons, Joe, Michael, and Mark; two daughters, 
Judy Jonna and Doreen Mangrum; and ten granchildren. His wife Margarett 
died in 1998.
  Salim and Margarett Sarafa lived their lives dedicated to the 
American way while preserving the core values of the Chaldean culture. 
They were able to raise their family and start their business in the 
land of the free while never forgetting the people who were not blessed 
with the same chance. I am so very proud to call them my 
friends.

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