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NOTEworthy<br />
LOCAL CENTER OPENS<br />
TO HELP IRAQIS<br />
The Iraqi American Center is an affiliation of Kurdish<br />
Human Rights Watch (KHRW.) It is a humanitarian,<br />
non-profit community based organization with its main<br />
office in Virginia. Michigan’s office in Madison Heights<br />
is the 7th office in the U.S. to open. There is also one<br />
in Iraq. The organization helps refugees and immigrants<br />
achieve successful resettlement. Some of the<br />
services and programs include: family and marriage<br />
enrichment classes, elderly and youth programs, translation<br />
and interpretation services, immigration counseling<br />
and orientation on the American and Iraqi cultures.<br />
The Iraqi American Center in Michigan opened on<br />
February 12. It is headed by Dunya Mikhail.<br />
At the event from left to right, Dunya Mikhail with Katrin Michael and Karen Caird<br />
(from Congressman Sander Levin’s office) with Anu Mekha.<br />
AFTER 10 YEARS,<br />
HAIR SALON OWNER GOES SOLO<br />
Nadwa Yono is now the sole owner of Salone Nadwa and Day Spa in Novi<br />
after 10 years of co-owning the business. The full-service salon and day spa<br />
grossed more than $1 million during its first year. Nadwa has been in the<br />
business for more than 22 years.<br />
KERRY COMES OUT AHEAD<br />
Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry won Michigan’s Democratic caucus,<br />
capturing 52 percent of the vote and the bulk of the state’s 128 delegates<br />
to the party’s nominating convention. Former Vermont Gov.<br />
Howard Dean was in second place with 17 percent, followed by North<br />
Carolina Sen. John Edwards at 14 percent. The Rev. Al Sharpton won<br />
just over 7 percent, retired Gen. Wesley Clark held just under 7 percent,<br />
and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich was at 3 percent.<br />
PIANO MAN,<br />
CHALDEAN STYLE<br />
You may already love Billy Joel and Elton<br />
John, but there is a new name to add to<br />
your favorites. Musician Steve Acho has<br />
released his first original CD called<br />
“Politix.” Acho spent years performing<br />
in Detroit-area coffee houses and bars.<br />
In 2002, he performed his song “United<br />
We Stand” in Washington, D.C., during<br />
a 9/11 anniversary tribute concert at<br />
DAR Constitution Hall.<br />
GOVERNOR GRANHOLM’S STATE OF THE STATE<br />
ADDRESS OUTLINES PLAN TO CREATE MICHIGAN JOBS<br />
Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm outlined her seven-point plan to grow<br />
Michigan’s economy and create new jobs for Michigan workers in her second<br />
State of the State Address before a joint session of the Michigan<br />
Legislature.<br />
“The state of the State tonight is one of total determination,” said<br />
Granholm. “Michigan will become an economic powerhouse state in the<br />
21st century. We will grow our economy by giving businesses the tools they<br />
need to succeed and by improving the quality of life for all of our citizens.<br />
To be an economic powerhouse, you can’t have one without the other.”<br />
Granholm said that in the coming year, her administration will focus<br />
on retaining manufacturers while also attracting new businesses to the<br />
state, developing a 21st century workforce, creating “cool cities,”<br />
ensuring quality educational opportunities, making health care more<br />
accessible and affordable and protecting Michigan natural resources. In<br />
addition to growing the economy and improving our quality of life, the<br />
Governor also addressed the need to protect our citizens and their<br />
hard-earned dollars.<br />
FICANO ACKNOWLEDGES CHALDEANS<br />
DURING THE STATE OF THE COUNTY SPEECH<br />
In his state of the county address, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano<br />
focused on regionalism and noted that government must work together and<br />
not separately in order to move forward. He also said that government must<br />
work with businesses and various groups. He acknowledged the Chaldean<br />
Community as a partner in his efforts to move toward regionalism. In the<br />
address Executive Ficano said, “We have brought together partners including<br />
the Detroit Regional Chamber, the City of Detroit, the Arab American<br />
Chamber, the Booker T. Washington Business Association leadership, the<br />
Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, small and Hispanic business<br />
and other stakeholders who stand with us in this new direction. This represents<br />
a regional approach that will work for all of us.”<br />
[National]<br />
IRAQI RELIGIOUS LIBERTY AND WOMEN’S<br />
RIGHTS DISCUSSED IN WASHINGTON<br />
Senate Republican Conference Chairman Rick Santorum (R-PA) and<br />
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Chair of the Governmental Affairs<br />
Committee, held a press conference to call on the Iraqi Governing Council<br />
to protect individual religious freedom and women’s rights. The Senators<br />
and outside experts discussed the drafting of Iraq’s constitution, and advocate<br />
an Iraqi constitution that supports individual human rights and equality<br />
for all Iraqis - men and women, Muslim and non-Muslim. Other speakers at<br />
the event included Nina Shea, U.S. Commission on International Religious<br />
Freedom, Joseph Kassab, President, Iraqi Chaldean National Congress,<br />
Michigan, Tamara Sarafa Quinn, Women’s Alliance for a Democratic Iraq,<br />
Zakia Ismail Hakki, former President, Kurdish Women’s Federation, Dr.<br />
Eden Naby, Assyrian scholar, Harvard Divinity School and Dr. Imtihan<br />
Jawdat, Chair, Sabean Mandean World Council. It was held at the U.S.<br />
Capitol Building on Thursday, Feb. 12.<br />
6 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>MARCH</strong> <strong>2004</strong>
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