National ALNM Officials Monitor Homeland Security Exercise

FARM-EX II Terror Drill Offers Learning Experience

(HOUSTON, TX)...The American Lebanese National Movement (ALNM) applauds the City of Farmington Hills, Michigan for a job well done on their Homeland Security exercise that took place Thursday night, June 30th and continued through Friday morning, July 1st. Described as “one of the largest disaster training exercises in Southeast Michigan,” FARM-EX II engaged about 40 local, state and federal agencies and over 300 participants in an emergency training drill to test their readiness for any natural disaster or terrorist attack. A local hospital also took part in this homeland security exercise that took over seven months of planning and preparation.

Councilman John Akouri of Farmington Hills, a Lebanese American, along with ALNM Public Information Officer, Dr. Hamid Kantara of Houston, Texas, toured the site for nearly an hour Thursday evening during the exercise and were briefed as “victims” were being rescued from the demolished building and taken for decontamination and medical care. “About 70 citizens were reported to have fallen ‘victims’ to the explosion that caused a partial collapse of a hotel,” reported Councilman Akouri. “In Farmington Hills, we are committed to taking every step needed to secure a safe environment for our citizens. And, in case of a true emergency, we want to ensure that our public safety personnel and our neighboring city emergency response teams are ready to engage themselves with discipline, precision and absolute coordination.”

The American Lebanon National Movement is a civil, charitable, and non-profit association with no religious or political character. For more information, visit our website www.alnm.net or contact us at PIO@alnm.net.

Akouri Welcomes Maronite Bishop to Detroit

- Troy City Councilman presents Proclamation upon arrival -

(DETROIT, MI)...Farmington Hills City Councilman John Akouri officially welcomed Maronite Bishop Robert Shaheen, Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles to the Detroit Metropolitan area last night on what is his 12th National Pastoral Visit in just the last five months. A Liturgical Mass was held at the Cathedral of St. Maron Maronite Church in Detroit - site of the first Maronite Cathedral nearly 40 years ago when Arch-Bishop Francis Zayek was appointed to lead and form a US Eparchy. Following the service, a dinner reception hosted by Fr. Ghattas Khoury, pastor of St. Maron's, was held in the Bishop's honor in the Church Banquet Hall.

Akouri, a member of the Parish Council, introduced the Bishop, whom he had recently met with in Washington, DC during the visit of the Maronite Patriarch to the White House. Following the Bishop's remarks to the faithful, Troy City Councilman David Lambert presented Bishop Shaheen with a Proclamation recognizing his Pastoral Visit to Detroit and honoring the American Lebanese Community and the resolve of the Lebanese people. Councilman Lambert also reminded the Bishop that in addition to the large number of Lebanese Americans residing in his city, Troy shares a 'Sister City' relationship with the City of Aley, Lebanon.

Bishop Robert Shaheen was appointed in 2001 as the Second Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles by the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II and ordained by Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, Patriarch of Antioch and the Entire East.