AAI Foundation event celebrates Arab American achievements July 29

Washington, DC Foundation Honors Farmington Hills Councilman John Akouri

-AAIF Celebration fetes Michigan Arab Americans in Public Life-

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) will pay tribute to Farmington Hills City Councilman John Akouri - who has made a difference in civic and community life in Michigan this Friday, July 29th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the newly opened Arab American National Museum located at 13624 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, Michigan.
"As AAI celebrates two decades of service, we are pleased to honor John Akouri who has dedicated his career to public service and has truly made a difference in his community," said AAI National Field Director Abdallah Al-Zuabi. "We hope this celebration will encourage participation in the upcoming elections and inspire a new generation of Arab Americans to run for public office."

Akouri will join will join other leading Arab American Public Officials throughout Michigan, who will be honored for their significant contributions to the civic and political empowerment of the Arab American community. These include Dearborn Councilman Bob Abraham, 3rd Circuit Court Judge David Allen, State Representative Barbara Farrah, Oakland County Probate Judge Linda Saoud Hallmark, State Board of Education Member Marianne Yared McGuire, Dearborn Councilwoman Suzanne Sareini, Michigan Women's Commission, Office of Governor, Sally Shaheen Joseph, and Oak Park Councilman Kirk Yousif. Michigan is home to 490,000 Arab Americans living in 82 of the state’s 83 counties.

"AAI is a respected organization that is mobilizing voters across the nation to stand up and be counted" Akouri said. "It is always humbling to be recognized for the achievements and contributions one makes while in office. As I thank AAI for saluting these accomplishments, I am honored to receive this tribute and look forward to continue working with AAI in the future."

Akouri began serving on Capitol Hill as Washington Press Secretary and Senior Advisor to US Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) in 1999. Akouri is a longtime member of the DC-based AAI National Policy Council, and was featured as a distinguished panelist at the 2003 AAI National Leadership Conference and at last years Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee Convention in Washington, DC. Akouri also led Republican efforts in 2004 as Co-Chairman of the Bush/Cheney Re-Election Campaign in Oakland County. Most recently he participated along with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mousa and dignitaries from around the world in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening of the long awaited ACCESS Arab American National Museum in Dearborn.

For a complete Bio and Photo of John Akouri, visit

http://akouri.blogspot.com/
2002_12_29_akouri_archive.html

For more information on Michigan’s Arab Americans, visit

http://www.aaiusa.org/demographics/MIdemographics.pdf

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 26, 2005
CONTACT: aalzuabi@aaiusa.org or 202.494.9858
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