ADC Press Release:
ADC Welcomes Former Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar as New President

Washington, DC, June 2 - The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) today proudly announced that former United States Representative Mary Rose Oakar would assume the Presidency of the organization effective June 15, 2003. Oakar served as Democratic congresswoman from Ohio's 20th District from 1977-1993. Oakar replaces outgoing ADC President Dr. Ziad J. Asali, who is assuming the Presidency of the newly created American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP). Congresswoman Oakar, said, "It is an honor and privilege to become President of an organization that does so much important work to promote a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, and to defend of the rights of Arab Americans and all the people of our great country."

The Chair of ADC's Board of Directors, Dr. Safa Rifka, said, "We are absolutely thrilled that such a distinguished and experienced public servant and Arab-American leader as Mary Rose Oakar will be assuming the presidency of ADC." He said that, "In recent years, ADC has gone from strength to strength, and we are confident that there is no one better able and qualified to lead Arab Americans to ever increasing levels of empowerment within the system than Congresswoman Oakar. I invite everyone to attend the upcoming ADC national convention June 12-15 to meet her."

Dr. Rifka also praised the leadership of outgoing President Ziad Asali, saying, "Dr. Asali did a magnificent job in leading the organization during a time of unparalleled challenges for both ADC and the Arab-American community in general. We will be forever grateful for his outstanding stewardship during the backlash following the Sept. 11 attacks, the war in Iraq and other serious difficulties for the community. Ziad was extremely generous to ADC with both his time and his energy, from which the community as a whole benefited tremendously. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors."

For his part, Dr. Ziad Asali said, "I congratulate the Board on this excellent choice for the next President of ADC. I want to express my profound gratitude for the support of so many thousands of ADC members and supporters around the country during the past 2 years. I am proud of all we achieved together, and confidant that Mary Rose will add a new dimension to the work and impact of ADC on behalf of the Arab-American community. My wife Naila and I will always be loyal and enthusiastic supporters of ADC and its noble mission."


ADC's incoming President Mary Rose Oakar, in addition to serving for 16 years in the US House of Representatives, served from 1974-1976 on the Cleveland City Council and from 2000-2003 in the Ohio House of Representatives. She has visited the Middle East on numerous occasions and has been involved numerous initiatives to secure a just and lasting peace in region. Since 1993 she has been CEO and President of Mary Rose Oakar & Associates, and host of the radio talk show "Senior Forum" on WERE, Cleveland. She has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the American Cancer Society's Distinguished Service Award for Legislation, the Consumer Federation of America's Legislator of the Year award, and the National Association for Homecare's Award for Working on Aging Issues. She was also named "One of the Ten Best Legislators in Congress" by 50 Plus Magazine and "One of the 10 Best Members of Congress for Health and Women's Issues" by McCall's Magazine.

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