[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1938-E1939]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              HONORING THE AMERICAN-ARAB HERITAGE COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 17, 2002

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay homage to the 2002 
honorees of the American-Arab Heritage Council in my hometown of Flint, 
Michigan. The Council is an organization committed to promoting the 
American-Arab community. They also seek to preserve their culture for 
future generations. On October 18th the Council will be hosting the

[[Page E1939]]

6th annual Ensure the Legacy Banquet to pay tribute to the following 
men and women of the Arabic community that have significantly 
contributed to Genesee County.
  The Council has chosen John Henry as ``Community Leader of the 
Year.'' Mr. Henry is the Executive Director of the Flint Institute of 
Arts and was the driving force behind ``The Arab Influence'' project. 
He has worked for the last two years on the exhibit that involved 
fifteen institutions and was designed to safeguard Arabic history and 
promote understanding. This exhibit has educated thousands about the 
contributions of the Arab world to art, science, literature, and 
religion. Through exhibitions like the ``Khalil Gibran: Images of a 
Poet'' and ``The Arts of Islam: The Word of God, The Works of Man'' 
many Americans have been exposed to the interweaving of art into the 
everyday life of the Arabic world.
  Fay Joseph was chosen as the ``Community Volunteer of the Year.'' Fay 
has donated her time, energy, and money to the causes she believes in. 
The list of organizations benefiting from her largesse is extensive. 
Honored by many groups for her work, Fay exemplifies the commitment 
that pervades the Arab community in Genesee County. Never content to 
accept the status quo, Fay is always looking for ways to make her 
hometown a better place. Going quietly about her work, Fay portrays the 
positive image of Arab-Americans.
  Dr. Farouk Obeid is being honored as the ``Physician of the Year.'' 
He is the Director of Trauma, and Surgical Care at Hurley Medical 
Center in Flint in addition to being Head of Trauma and Critical Care 
at Henry Ford Hospital. Originally from Syria, Dr. Obeid came to this 
country to complete a residency in General Surgery and a fellowship in 
Vasculary Surgery. He is the president of the American Arab Syrian 
Culture Society of Greater Detroit and has devoted countless hours to 
numerous nonprofit groups. He has contributed to several surgical 
textbooks and works as a professor of Surgery at Michigan State 
University, associate professor of Surgery at Case Western Reserve 
University and clinical professor of Surgery at Michigan State 
University.
  In their promotion of education, the American Arab Heritage Council 
offers an annual scholarship to a student achieving high academic 
standards. This year's recipient is Candi Rishmawi a student of medical 
technology at the University of Michigan-Flint.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
congratulating these four individuals. I would like to commend them and 
the American Arab Heritage Council for their hard work this past year. 
Through their efforts Americans can come together in peace and 
understanding and our society is enhanced.

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