Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce CEO Akouri Hosts Young Lebanese Leaders; Delegation Tours City Hall, Bank HQ, Beirut Bakery, Turkish Consulate

(FARMINGTON HILLS, MI/USA)... Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce President & CEO John Akouri arranged an afternoon tour of key American business and civic institutions for a delegation of visiting young leaders from Lebanon. The arrival of the participants was facilitated under the auspices of the State Department International Visitor Leadership Program with the theme "Young Lebanese Leaders & The US Political System: A Project for Lebanon."

The goals of the project are to look at US policy making processes and key players involved, including lobbyists, think tanks, media, and grassroots organizations and to examine leadership strategies and skills used to manage conflict resolutions. The program also seeks to explore diversity and multiculturalism in the US while engaging with young leaders involved in US politics. Finally, the delegates will analyze the upcoming US presidential elections and discuss US foreign policy towards Lebanon and the Middle East.

The participating Lebanese delegates included: Rabih Dandachli, Political & PR Representative of the Muslim Student League; Tony Darwish, Vice Chairman & Head of Media Department of the Lebanese Forces Student Association; Melkar El Khoury, Executive Assistant for the Foundation for Human & Humanitarian Rights/Lebanon; Makram Ghassan Rabah, Political & Research Analyst of New Opinion Workshop; Gilbert RIZK, Editor-in-Chief of Kataeb.org.

PHOTO TAGLINES: Top row: Delegation pauses to reflect at 9/11 Memorial then meets with the City Clerk Kathy Dornan to discuss the US Presidential election process; Second row: At the Fire Station, receiving a personally guided tour from the Fire Department Chief Richard Marinucci; Third row: Presentation of the American judicial system and then a visiting with the Honorable Judge Chief Marla Parker at the Michigan 47th District Court House; Fourth row: Honorary Consul General of Turkey Nurten Ural formally receives the delegation at the Turkish Consulate; Fifth row: Executive Vice President of Paramount Bank Louis Peters welcomes the delegation to the executive board room offering an overview of the American system of banking and discussing the current financial crisis affecting the United States; Bottom row: The Hallis family, owners of the historic Beirut Bakery in Detroit, Michigan, welcome the delegation with traditional Lebanese coffee and pastries following a tour of the facility.

Akouri Condemns Bombing in Tripoli, Vows Lebanese Will Persevere; Councilman Denounces Act as Work of Enemies of Lebanon, Urges Sleiman to Act Swiftly

John Akouri Extends Condolences and Condemns Car Bombing Attack on Lebanese Army and Residents of Tripoli to MP Mustapha Allouche

Fmr. Washington Press Secretary and Capitol Hill Senior Advisor John Akouri, whose family traces their roots to the northern Lebanese port city of Tripoli, released the following statement this morning in a letter to Lebanese Member of Parliament Mustapha Allouche, following news of a car bomb that exploded beside a military bus, killing six people and wounding 17 others:

As an American of Lebanese descent, I know that I speak on behalf of our entire Lebanese American community in extending our sincerest condolences to you and the people of Lebanon for the barbaric bombing that occurred this morning, in my family’s ancestral hometown of Tripoli. The cowardly terrorists who perpetrated this crime have once again proven that they are enemies of Lebanon, its military institutions, the Lebanese people and of all humanity. Please know that those of us in the diaspora stand with you at this time, united against terror and steadfast behind our countrymen and women. This senseless crime is an affront to our people, our region, and the entire Arab world.

I condemn in the strongest terms, this cowardly terrorist attack and express my deepest sympathy to the victims and to their families, and to the people and government of Lebanon. Though difficult but under your leadership, the residents of Tripoli must exercise restraint in the wake of this tragedy, while pursuing justice in accordance with the government of Lebanon. Violence will only contribute to what the terrorists sought to achieve by committing this act. At this time, I call on President Sleiman to act swiftly in the investigation of this heinous act of terrorism.

Please know that the Lebanese American community, especially those of us with ties to Tripoli, stand ready to do all in its power to assist the government of Lebanon, the city of Tripoli and the families of victims from today’s horrific and brutal act of terror. Lebanon will persevere, and Lebanese Americans will continue to underline the need to combat terrorism by all means and to bring perpetrators, financiers, organizers and sponsors of this and every other reprehensible act of terrorism, since 2005 and before, to justice.

Akouri Endorses Congresswoman Candice Miller; Calls for Available Residential/Commercial Property Locations in Macomb County to Display Campaign Signs

Akouri to Dine at Chili's Today in Support of Danny Thomas & St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; Organizers Hope to Top $9M in Benefit Donations

Akouri to Emcee Madonna University Gala at Ritz Carlton, Vatican Ambassador to US, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Pietro Sambi, to Receive Honorary Doctorate

Akouri Endorses Lawmaker; Hundreds Turnout to Support Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) Re-Election Bid - Annual Barn Event Features Bonfire, Bands, Food & Fun

SOIREE AT THE STABLES: (l-r) Congressman Mike Rogers Press Secretary Sylvia Warner, Councilman John Akouri and Macomb County GOP Political Director Stephanie Pazdro.

Voice of the Red Wings Karen Newman Joins Jenny McCarthy, Darren McCarty, Toni Braxton, as Celebrities Against Autism; Councilman Akouri to Appear

Callahan’s Casino Royale
007 Celebrity Autism Benefit
Gourmet Tastefest & Bond Auction

Thursday, October 2, 2008
Edgewood Country Club, Opens 7pm

General Admission Ticket Includes:
Casino Games: Texas Hold Em’, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette

Delicious Gourmet food from 0ver 20 chefs & restaurants
Live & Silent Auctions, 50/50 Raffle
Award Winning Live Music, Diamond give-away,
Putting contest, and of course Bond 007 surprises!
Including a helicopter entrance!

007 Bond Ultimate VIP Ticket Includes:
6:00-7:00pm VIP Champagne Reception
Casino Royale Absolute Martini Bar 6-11pm
Gourmet tastefest- Hors d’oeuvres
Super Premium Open Bar. 6-11pm
Private ‘For Your Eyes Only' Auction Preview
VIP Gaming Tables, $75.00 in Casino chips
Putting contest ticket

For tickets visit: callahanandfriends.com, call: 248.515.7423 or eMail: vawgolf@sbcglobal.net

Madonna University Council for International Education Gathers for 2008 Meeting, Akouri Pledges Support for Lebanese Students & Cooperative Programs

Lebanese Americans Welcome President Michel Sleiman in Washington; Akouri Hails Meeting with Detroit Consul General Bachir Tawk as Key Moment of Visit

President Bush Meets with President Sleiman of Lebanon

(THE OVAL OFFICE)...President George W. Bush welcomes President Michel Sleiman of Lebanon to the Oval Office Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, at the White House. Said President Bush, "The United States is proud to stand by your side. Our mission is your mission: a country that is strong and capable, and a country where people can live in peace... And so I welcome you. It's been a long time since the President of Lebanon has been in the Oval Office. It is my honor to host you for this occasion." (Transcript follows)

PRESIDENT BUSH: It is my honor to welcome the President of Lebanon here to the Oval Office. Mr. President, there are a lot of Lebanese Americans who are paying attention to this visit. They care deeply about their ancestors. They want Lebanon to be free and sovereign and independent -- and so do I, and so do you. I have -- I have watched very carefully your initial statements upon being sworn in as President and your statement impressed me. And we're most impressed by the national dialogue that you're holding in a attempt to seek reconciliation. The United States is proud to stand by your side. Our mission is your mission: a country that is strong and capable, and a country where people can live in peace. And so I welcome you. It's been a long time since the President of Lebanon has been in the Oval Office. And it has been my -- it is my honor to host you for this occasion. So I welcome you, and I'm looking forward to our dialogue.

PRESIDENT SLEIMAN: (As translated) Well, I am delighted to be here visiting the White House and visiting with you, President Bush. I am here to thank you for all the efforts that you have undertaken in order to support Lebanon, particularly the military institutions of Lebanon. We are also very proud of Lebanese Americans, who are around a million of them here, occupy very important position in the United States and they work very sincerely for their country here, as well as for their original homeland. Mr. President, we share with the United States many of the human values and many of the cultural values. We promote and we believe very strongly in democracy and the principles of democracy. We believe in the promotion of liberty, all liberties, as well as the protection of human rights. Mr. President, we work against bigotry and also try to promote [sic] it, and certainly we work very hard to combat terror. There are so many things in common between the American people and the Lebanese people. We are here also to reaffirm our right in having a prosperous Lebanon, a democratic Lebanon, a country that it is diverse in its nature and through its people; but that in itself is wealth -- the wealth of the -- and the power of the people of Lebanon. And that adds to the value of the Middle East and the Arab world and the entire world. Mr. President, we are also here to reaffirm the need to liberate all Lebanese territories; and also to make it very clear that the future of Palestinian refugees is in their homeland, not in Lebanon. Mr. President, we believe that this is in the interest of Lebanon, as well as it's in the interest of the Palestinian people, themselves. Thank you very much.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes, sir. Thank you.

Click here to view White House video of meeting:

Councilman Akouri Enjoys Detroit Tigers Baseball Game in the Chrysler Executive Suite at Comerica Park, Joins Delegation of International Diplomats

Akouri Received by Lebanese Melkite Archbishop to the United States, His Eminence Cyril Salim Bustros of the Eparchy of Newton, at Private Luncheon

TOP: (l-r) Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce President & CEO John Akouri, St. John the Baptist Pastor Rt. Rev. Fouad M. Sayegh of Chicago, Acting Consul General of Lebanon Bachir S. Tawk, His Eminence Archbishop Cyril Salim Bustros of Boston Eparchy of Newton, Our Lady of Redemption Pastor Fr. Michel Cheble