Former Washington, DC Press Secretary John Akouri Joins UALF Board of Directors

(SOUTHFIELD, MI)...The United American Lebanese Federation (UALF) announced today that the Honorable John Akouri, a Lebanese-American Councilman from Michigan, has joined the Organization’s Board of Directors. Mr. Akouri, who served as a Congressional Press Secretary was unanimously elected at the UALF’s Board meeting this week.

"We're honored to have John Akouri as a new member of our Board. As an active Lebanese-American and coupled with his incredible energy and enthusiasm, we're excited to welcome him to UALF," said Warren David, UALF President.

Mr. Akouri began serving on Capitol Hill as Press Secretary and Senior Advisor to US Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) in 1999. In his capacity as spokesman for the Congressman, he worked daily with both the International & National press corps. Mr. Akouri also participated in high-level talks on a wide range of initiatives regarding Lebanon during meetings with key Lebanese leaders that included: H.E. Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Cardinal Sfeir, Ambassador to the US, Hon. Farid Abboud, General Michel Aoun, and American University of Beirut President John Waterbury.

In November 2003, Mr. Akouri ran a successful first time campaign for City Council in Farmington Hills, Michigan and was elected as the city’s first American-born Lebanese Councilman coming in as top vote getter. The youngest Member on Council, Akouri is extremely proud of his personal background and heritage as an American of Lebanese descent, and the accomplishments the Lebanese American community has achieved here in the United States. His family originally hails from the northern port city of Tripoli, Lebanon where he plans to visit this summer.

Mr. Akouri received his B.A. in Communications from Wayne State University and attended Lawrence Technological University. His active involvement in politics and public affairs span the course of the past two decades. Since the late 1980’s, he has been a leader in government, media and business at state, national & global levels. Mr. Akouri annually hosts the Lebanese founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Gala Benefit, which seeks to raise funds to assist children locally and for the charitable organization based in Memphis, Tennessee.

Akouri Joins Nation’s Leaders at National League of Cities Conference

-Homeland Security, the Economy, and Other Key Issues for America’s Communities Top Meeting Agenda-

(NASHVILLE, TN)...Newly elected Farmington Hills City Councilman John Akouri met with 3,500 other city officials from across the United States last month to participate in the National League of Cities’ (NLC) Congress of Cities in Nashville. The delegates discussed the economy, homeland security, and key federal policies that can help local government build strong, safe communities.

Akouri took the opportunity the conference availed to meet privately with Dearborn Mayor Michael Guido, Chairman of the NLC Working Group on Homeland Security and Washington, D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams to discuss issues relevant to Farmington Hills on both State and Federal levels. Akouri and Williams had worked together previously when Akouri served on Capitol Hill as an advisor to US Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Delegates attending the conference heard from U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Democratic Presidential hopeful General Wesley Clark, ABC News commentator Cokie Roberts, and Passages author Gail Sheehy. The NLC conference also presented numerous workshops on such issues as economic development, education, youth programs, diversity, transportation, homeland security, and other issues that affect cities and towns. The meeting provides a way for city leaders to share ideas about successful programs and strategies as well as shape NLC’s Federal policy.

“Cities and towns need to share innovations amongst themselves and maintain a strong national voice, especially on issues like homeland security and the economy,” said NLC President John DeStefano, Mayor of New Haven, CT. “While our brave men and women fight to improve the quality of life and secure freedom in Iraq, we must not turn our back from the front lines here at home. Cities and towns are the backbone of the nation and the problems that local elected officials are encountering should be among the priorities of the 2004 Election.”

The National League of Cities is the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States. With a membership of nearly 1,800 cities and towns, as well as 49 state associations, NLC serves as a resource and advocate for 18,000 cities that serve 225 million people across the US.