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For Immediate Release
Watch
video
AAF welcomes NJ Governor's decision to create American-Arab
Heritage Commission
Paterson, NJ, October 20, 2008: The American Arab Forum welcomes Governor
Jon Corzine's official announcement to sign into law an Executive Order to
create the NJ American-Arab Heritage Commission. The date has been set for
October 24, 2008, where the Governor, joined by members of his cabinet,
distinguished members of the Legislature, Congressional representatives, leaders
from the community and the 25 newly appointed members of the Commission will
hold a special celebration at the Passaic County Technical College.
 The Governor's signature
will represent the culmination of over four years of a grassroots drive to found
the Commission. Its establishment has been a primary objective of the Arab
American community and we are grateful that, after more than four years of
grassroots efforts, it is finally becoming a reality. The Commission will be the
first in the United States dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of
contributions of Arab Americans.
Aref Assaf, President of the Paterson-based think-tank, the American Arab
Forum, expressed his "enthusiastic appreciation for the Governor's gesture
and the important support received from so many individuals, officials, and
organizations. We recognize his pivotal appreciation of the need to be inclusive
and to recognize the important role our community has and continues to play in
making NJ a better place in which to live, to do business, and to raise a
family. He further added that, "having overcome many hurdles, we are now poised
to witness the fruits of our collective work through the recognition of our
community's rightful place in the mosaic that makes our state and indeed our
nation a vibrant and productive society."
For more information about the history of the commission, please visit
http://www.aafusa.org/arab_heritage_commission.htm
To view list of appointees, click
here.
More Pictures
Related articles:
Soliman: On the
establishment of a state commission on Arab-Americans
The Executive Order states, in part, that," it is fitting
and proper to establish a State-level commission to survey, design, encourage
and promote the implementation of Arab-American cultural and educational
programs in this State, with responsibility for the coordination of events that
will provide awareness and honor and celebrate the culture, history, heritage
and language of Arab Americans on a regular basis throughout the State."
for the complete text, please click
here.
Here is the
link to the official invitation sent out by the Governor. The event is by
invitation only.
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