Category: Kendra Gilbert
Sununu Speaks to Arab-Americans
Sununu
New Hampshire Union Leader
Kendra Gilbert
Boston University Washington News Service
9-12-06
WASHINGTON — One day after the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, New Hampshire Senator John Sununu spoke of the importance of having Arab-Americans involved in the federal government because of the “personal perspective they bring to congressional debate.”
Sununu, a Lebanese-American whose grandfather first immigrated to Boston, is the only Senator of Arab descent. In the House, there are four members of Arab descent.
Sununu began his speech by recounting his father’s first run for office in 1980 and the resistance he faced. “With a name like Sununu, you could never get elected,” he recalled.
Sununu was speaking to an Arab American Institute luncheon honoring Americans of Arab descent who work in the federal government.
His heritage, he said, “certainly made a difference in my work on the Foreign Relations Committee. I grew up paying attention to events overseas.”
“All perspectives need to be voiced in the policy-making process,” said Joseph Ayoub, a Department of Energy staffer who was among those honored at the luncheon. “The fact that they [Arab-Americans] are involved in different agencies, I think that contributes to the overall mission of the government, which is to serve the public interest as a whole.”
Sununu and other members of Arabic extraction like Reps. Darrell Issa, R-CA, and Charles Boustany, R-LA, both of whom also spoke at the lunch, form a sort of “Arab-American caucus,” said James Zogby, the institute’s president.
But Ayoub noted that a strong Arab-American presence in the federal government does not imply a monolithic perspective.
“Arab-Americans are as divided as most Americans in perspective to different issues,” Ayoub said. “So, I think their contribution is important, but I don’t think it should be overstated.”
Giving his perspective on both American and Arab issues, Sununu also spoke about the current Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
He declared his support for the $230 million in humanitarian aid to Lebanon that President Bush has pledged, but said “more could have been done.”
Sununu also stated that long-term peace was the primary goal.
Attendees also reflected on the prejudices they faced as a result of the terrorist attacks of five years ago.
Zogby recalled both the serious threats to his life that have since landed three people in jail and also the supportive phone calls he got from members of Congress.
“Right after 9/11, in the next three days, I got calls from about a dozen senators saying, ‘I support you, I want to work with you. What can we do to help your community?’” he said.
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