[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 28, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5220-S5221]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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     100 YEARS OF THE LEBANON AMERICAN CLUB IN DANBURY, CONNECTICUT

 Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the 
Lebanon American Club of Danbury, CT, as they celebrate 100 years of 
devoted cultural engagement and civic service in their community.
  The Lebanon American Club--or ``the Club,'' as it is affectionately 
known as by its members--was founded in 1922 as

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the Syrian American Club. In its early days, this organization assisted 
members in becoming American citizens, learning English, and served as 
a vital social support system for Lebanese and Syrian immigrants. After 
initially meeting at various locations across Danbury, the Club 
established a permanent home in ``Little Lebanon'' on New Street in 
Danbury in the 1930s, before moving to its current West Street location 
in 1993.
  Highly active in the civic and cultural life of the Arabic speaking 
community in Danbury, the Lebanon American Club boasted many members 
who were major contributors to the economic, professional, and social 
fabric of the region. After the election of Chicory Buzaid as Danbury 
City Sheriff in 1937--the first Lebanese American elected to public 
office in the State of Connecticut--the Club's members became more 
politically active as well.
  From the 1940s through the 1960s, the Club's activities expanded with 
regular dinners, scholarship programs for students, fundraisers to aid 
members in need, and an annual Labor Day weekend ``Mahrajan'' festival 
celebrating their Lebanese and Syrian heritage.
  In the 1970s, a new wave of Lebanese immigrants sparked a 
revitalization of the Lebanon American Club and their activities 
expanded. New Club programs were established--and continue today--
including a children's Christmas party and a scholarship award dinner 
which has grown tremendously over the years, providing tens of 
thousands of dollars in college scholarships to high school graduates. 
Additionally, the Lebanon American Club Ladies Auxiliary routinely 
holds dinners and wine tastings and is a significant contributor to the 
Club's overall activities.
  In recent years, the Lebanon American Club has continued to expand 
and flourish. The Lebanon American Teacher Exchange program was 
established in 2002, and the annual Lebanon American Day flag raising 
ceremony was first held the next year in 2003. In 2009, the Club 
established a heritage monument committee to pay tribute to their 
immigrant ancestors, and the monument was unveiled at city hall during 
the 2010 Lebanon Day celebration. The Club has continued to thrive of 
late, including hosting regular blood drives throughout the COVID-19 
pandemic to provide lifesaving aid to the community.
  For a century, the Lebanon American Club has provided cultural, 
civic, and social support to its members, the Lebanese community, and 
the Danbury community at large. I have attended many Club activities 
and greatly appreciate and admire their long-standing commitment to 
preserving and promoting their cultural heritage while selflessly 
serving their community through their many activities and programs. I 
hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating the Lebanon American 
Club of Danbury, CT, on this momentous occasion of their 100th 
anniversary.

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