very important visitors
very important visitors High-level meetings prompt action Members of the Detroit Independent Grocers, a Chaldean Chamber affiliate, meet with Brian Calley. By Michael Sarafa With pointed determination, Speaker of the House John Boehner turned to Michigan Congresswoman Candice Miller and asked, “Who’s the point person in the House on this issue?” The question about the plight of Christian refugees in Iraq took place at a historic breakfast meeting held on August 11 at Shenandoah Country Club. It was part of a busy month that also included a private meeting between Michigan Lt. Governor Brian Calley and a group of Detroit grocers held at the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce office on August 17. Both meetings were hosted by the chamber. At Shenandoah, Boehner was joined by other Republican members of Congress including Candace Miller, Mike Rogers, Dave Camp and Dan Benaishek, all from Michigan. More than 30 community, business and civic leaders took part in the event. By all accounts, it was the first time the Speaker of the U.S. Congress attended such a meeting. The breakfast meeting, also a fundraiser for the Boehner for Speaker Committee, was lead off by a poignant presentation by Martin Manna, executive director of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, on the history of Chaldeans in Iraq from ancient Babylon through the Gulf War. Manna described the challenges facing the shrinking Christian population in post-war Iraq including murders, kidnappings and church bombings. Manna also expressed frustration with the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department, the latter responsible for diplomatic and resettlement efforts while the former has mostly blocked the immigration of Christian Iraqis to the U.S. Joseph Kassab, executive director of the Chaldean Federation of America, also weighed in during the question and answer period, honing in on the specifics of U.S. policy relative to refugees and resettlement. “We need your help personally, Mr. Speaker,” Kassab said, imploring him to carry the message to the Obama Administration. Boehner expressed a bond he feels with the community. “I grew up in a family with 11 siblings,” he said. “I shared a bathroom with four sisters. I grew up working with my dad, who Speaker in the house: John Boehner flanked by Frank and Judy Jonna, Martin Manna and Ismat Karmo. More than 30 people attended the historic meeting. owned a bar, and eventually went on to run my own small business … I expect this story sounds familiar to some of you.” The speaker also pointed out that two of his three appointments to the Debt Commission are Michigan representatives — Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Dave Camp, and Fred Upton, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Boehner described the Administrations’ approach to the recent debt negotiations as “pathetic” and said “you can’t deal with someone who’s never dealt” referring to President Obama’s lack of business and real world experience. Towards the end of the meeting, the speaker urged the members of the Michigan congressional delegation to carry forward the message of the plight of Christian Iraqis. Notably, all four present, including the two from mid-Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, expressed solidarity with Chaldeans. Camp ended the meeting by asking Miller, who represents many Macomb County Chaldeans, to keep him specifically apprised of these issues so that he and his office can help. Listening to Grocers With his command of tax and economic development policy, Michigan Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley impressed about a dozen grocers who attended the earlymorning August 17 meeting. “He is clearly the point person Seth Attisha, son of grocer Robert Attisha, and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley. on tax policy for the [Snyder] administration,” said Frank Jonna, chamber chairman. Calley, who led the effort to reform the state’s corporate tax code, told the group that he is eyeing the elimination of the personal property tax in Michigan. “That would be welcome news,” said Sahir Gappy, one of the attendees. The lost revenues from eliminating the personal property tax would be made up by shifting dollars away from individual company tax incentives and abatements. “We want to make the tax code in Michigan simpler and fairer and then let everyone compete on a level playing field,” Calley told the group. “The governor feels strongly that we need to get away from picking winners and losers.” Many of the grocers expressed frustration about the level of incentives proposed for the upcoming Whole Foods and Meijer projects in Detroit. “We’ve been serving the city for 30 years with no help at all from the government,” said Ed Bahoura, who owns and operates several Save-A-Lots. “Bring em,” said Norman Yaldoo of University Foods in Midtown, “but let them compete with us on even footings.” Calley said he understood the frustration and would look into why the state was possibly involved in a direct subsidy to a retailer. He promised going forward that individual project subsidies such as the ones involving Whole Foods are a things of the past. “That one was already in motion when we took office,” he said. “But we are looking into it to try to understand what happened and why.” The Chaldean Chamber is hosting Michael A. Finney, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., to discuss Business Opportunities in the State of Michigan along with the controversial incentives given to Whole Foods and Meijer. The Industry Outlook takes place at 6 p.m. on September 15 at Shenandoah. It’s free for chamber members, for non-members. Visit Chaldean- Chamber.com to learn more. 26 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011
BROTHERS HABIBI ANTHONY BRIDE AND GROOM TO BE SUMMA CUM LAUDE MAY 13, 2011 In Loving Memory of... Anthony Sabah Jajou October 8, 1982 – July 13, 2011 On October 8, 1982 our family was given a gift. This gift came in the form of a baby brother named Anthony. My brother Avis and I were so excited to meet him. Anthony would not only change our lives, but also those who were fortunate enough to know him. If you were one of the lucky people to have met Anthony you would understand what I mean. However, if you did not have a chance to meet him I will do my best to try and describe for you the unforgettable human being that he was. BABY ANTHONY, HAPPIEST BABY EVER Anthony had the reputation of being a jokester. He could light up a room and cheer people up with his smile. His personality was one in a million. He always knew what to say if you were having a bad day. After a few minutes of talking with him you felt the weight of the world lift off of your shoulders. His ability to make you laugh and forget about your problems came natural to him. He was a genuine friend, an amazing son and an even better brother. Moving to Arizona drew my family closer. We would spend countless nights together talking, laughing and planning our futures. I still remember the night he came back from his first date with the beautiful Sofya Kirma, his now fiancée. I could tell by the look on his face that he had found the love of his life. He would have made a phenomenal husband and a most loving and exceptional father. He was over the moon with excitement and anticipation of what might be. The proudest moment of his life came on May 13, 2011 when he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University. He graduated at the top of his class with the highest honors. Anthony was well on his way to becoming the best prosecuting attorney in the state of Arizona. Unfortunately, on July 13, 2011 our lives were once again changed when Anthony passed away in his sleep. Our Lord called his name and decided that Anthony was so special that he should now live amongst Angels. We were blessed to know and love him, yet, the real blessing was to be loved by him. OUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY It broke my heart to lose you, But you didn’t go alone, Part of me went with you, The day God called you home. PAID FOR BY THE FAMILY OF ANTHONY JAJOU SEPTEMBER 2011 CHALDEAN NEWS 27
