Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Toggle search form
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, announced Tuesday (Sept. 19, 2023) the filing of a lawsuit with a dozen plaintiffs seeking an end to the government’s secret watchlist that almost exclusively targets Muslims for harassment and humiliation when they travel.
    CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist American Arabs
  • Furquan Ahmed serves as the Wayne County Community College District’s (WCCCD) Senior Vice Chancellor and President of the Northwest Campus.
    AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees American Arabs
  • Congresswoman Debbie Dingell Wikipedia
    Flooding slams Wayne County in Detroit Michigan: Dingell releases statement of support Michigan
  • MBC launches new satellite channel focused on Saudi Culture
    Saudis launch new Satellite TV channel dedicated to Saudi Culture Arab World
  • The names and faces of the 14 Palestinian engaged in an open hunger strike to demand freedom from administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial. Graphic by Samidoun. You can join Samidoun's campaign here and find useful resources.
    Palestinians mount hunger strike campaign against administrative detention Arab World
  • “A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom & Human Rights,” McCormick Place, August 14-18, for the largest, worldwide gathering of global, faith-based, and social change leaders. 
    Largest global interfaith gathering coming to Chicago this week Christian & Muslim
  • State rep. Cyril Nichols, Democrat, 32nd Illinois House District
    Relationship between Arab Americans and African Americans needs more balance, Black State Rep says American Arabs
  • Syropotamia Online Magazine logo
    SYROPOTAMIA online magazine launched to Illuminate Arab American Stories American Arabs
  • Detroit’s true freedom fighters, activist, trailblazer, and leader Rev. Dr. JoAnn Watson who died on July 10, 2023
    AHRC Mourns the passing of Rev. Dr. JoAnn Watson, Freedom Fighter and Detroit Icon American Arabs
  • Abed Ayoub ADC National Director (Aug. 2022)
    ADC launches Arab American Business Advisory Council American Arabs
  • Rev. Jesse L. Jackson celebrates the 35th Anniversary of his 1988 campaign for president, an event which empowered Arab American voters.
    Rev. Jackson to host 35th Anniversary of his historic 1988 candidacy for president American Arabs
  • The grand opening ceremony and special ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Muhammad Ali Park in Detroit was held on Wednesday, June 21 at 12:00 p.m., with H.E. Mr. Meshal Bin Hamad Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to the US; Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit; Mayor Abdallah Hammoud, Dearborn; Mayor Amir Ghalib, Hamtramck; Eric Sabree, Wayne County Treasurer; and a number of civic and religious leaders.  
    AHRC Salutes All Who Made the Muhammad Ali Park in Detroit a Reality  American Arabs
  • Rev. Jesse L. Jackson celebrates the 35th Anniversary of his 1988 campaign for president, an event which empowered Arab American voters.
    Zogby to speak about Jackson’s role in supporting Arab empowerment at Rainbow Push conference July 14-19 American Arabs
  • AHRC and the Islamic Center of Detroit (ICD) hosted a community forum and discussion with the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
    AHRC and ICD Hold Meet, Greet and Open Conversation with USCIS: American Arabs
  • Comedian Ahmed Ahmed at The Comedy Bar in Chicago June 9 - 11, 2023
    Comedian Ahmed Ahmed performs in Chicago June 9-11, 2023 at The Comedy Bar American Arabs

Nick Rahall ends 38 years in U.S. Congress

Posted on May 21, 2015October 2, 2018 By rayhanania No Comments on Nick Rahall ends 38 years in U.S. Congress
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Loading

Veteran American Arab congressman retires from his West Virginia congressional district after serving 38 years representing Americans and American Arabs. Rahall is the longest serving American Arab in politics and most admired in public life. His voice for principle and justice will be missed

By Ray Hanania

Congressman Nick Rahall
Congressman Nick Rahall

When I first got involved in politics in the early 1970s after serving in active duty during the Vietnam War, naturally I looked for American Arab role models to help me define my career goals and overcome challenges American Arabs face in this country.

I remember being inspired in 1977 when hearing that two American Arabs had won office in the U.S. Congress. It was a big deal back then because only one other American Arab held political office, Senator James Abourezk, who I worked with in the 1980s to build up the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), had won office in 1973. (Today ADC is feeble, overwhelmed by community extremism and a lack of leadership.)

That 1977 election is still a big deal today because so few American Arabs ever achieve elective office as anti-Arab racism and discrimination continues to grow almost unchallenged. But Abourezk was the first and he was joined four years later by two representatives and pioneers in American politics who I admired, Mary Rose Oakar and Nick Rahall.

Oakar (see video below) was not only a great congresswoman, but she was also a great president of ADC, which has since fallen hard onto ineffective times. Ironically as discrimination has increased against American Arabs, the community has polarized and we have a growing problem of extremist activists who care little about America and the important sacrifices that Arabs must make as Americans to change the inaccurate stereotypes and negative perceptions.

But I remember a day when Abourezk, Oakar and Rahall championed American Arab rights, and the American Arab community had a strong voice. There where so few in our community who would stand up as true Americans who not only lived in this country respecting the laws, but also served as I and many others did defending this country in the U.S. Military. Those American Arabs did more for American Arab rights than many of the activists today who are physically in this country but mentally “back home.”

When my dad, George, and his brother, Moses, fought in World War II to destroy the Nazi movement and ironically “free the Jews” so they could unfree the Palestinians, there were no political American Arab role models that they could look up to to guide them in building their own lives, families and careers. But they were Americans first and that’s what drove their success.

The greatest thing my generation had was Abourezk, Oakar and Rahall who fought so hard not only to represent America as best as they could, but to ensure that America lived by the fundamental principles of the U.S. Constitution which guaranteed free speech, supposedly protected civil rights and defended us against aggression.

Today, many American Arabs run for public office, but not all of them run because their first priority is to make America better. Many often run mainly because they want to fight the Middle East conflict in the halls of Congress, which is Israeli occupied territory.

Abourezk, Oakar and Rahall ran because they wanted to make America better and in doing so, by being great Americans, they did more than any to improve the image of Arabs in America. They were true role models.

I knew Abourzek back in the 1980s well, and later Oakar, too, when they fought hard to make ADC a better organization. It wasn’t easy, of course as extremism spread through our community. I only had the chance to meet Rahall once while engaged in political lobbying in Washington D.C. after spending 18 years covering Chicago City Hall and Illinois politics for several major newspapers.

What I remember most is his smile. His smile was his power. You could just look at him and know that it wouldn’t be easy for the challenges that face American Arabs to bring him down. He smiled through every challenge and even when he spoke about the strength of community engagement.

All politics is local. If you want to win the Middle East conflict you have to win the battle in the community for American politics. We needed to show Americans that we American Arabs were as much or more American than they were because we cared about defending the principles that made this community great as much as we cared about defending ourselves against the bigotry and racism and the hurdles placed against our engagement in government locally and nationally by extremists in the pro-Israel community.

Congressman James Moran
Congressman James Moran

Rahall was probably one of the most effective in terms of fighting the good fight, and he did it for 38 years. It’s not easy being American Arab in politics. Former Congressman Jim Moran once lamented to me in the 1990s that he was always so disappointed that American Arabs just didn’t understand the ins and outs of American politics and effective lobbying or even communications, which is my professional field. Moran would stand up and fight for American Arabs but American Arabs were just never there in the numbers needed to provide cover and support for him the way American Jews stand up and defend their own.

It was tough to be in Congress both as an American and as an American Arab standing up for principle and justice when it came to the Middle East.

It shouldn’t be a surprises that Moran also represented a district right near Rahall in Northern Virginia. After serving 25 years in Congress and standing up to discrimination and bigotry in this country for so many years, including against those who discriminated against American Arabs, Moran decided to retire this year. He’ll be missed, too.

Like Moran, Rahall stood up for principle in addressing the Middle East conflict, and that often caused him most of his troubles. He was often a lone voice in speaking against resolutions supporting Israel while those resolutions ignored the rights of the civilians oppressed by Israel. That he did that for 38 years is amazing. Few could stand up to Israel’s lobby which has both the mainstream American news media and the U.S. Congress in a repressive headlock of intimidation, bullying and deceit.

Rahall opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq at a time when it was difficult to even question the lies that President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney fabricated to justify their personal vengeance against the Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein. There was no doubt Saddam Hussein was a brutal tyrant, but Iraq had nothing to do with the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and any strategy to oust Saddam Hussein and free the Iraq people should have approached it from a more accurate strategy of embargoes and pressure, not an invasion that cost so many American lives.

But Rahall, who was forced out in this past election after 19 terms in office, served longer. He was a Democrat in a hard core, bright red Republican District, which demonstrated that he could win support even from those who might not be of the same party by doing the right thing. Again, it’s a lesson many American Arab activists just don’t understand. Do the right thing, be great American citizens, and stand up for the rights of others first, and you can win the support of mainstream Americans including for our cause of bringing justice to Palestinians and beating down the constant racism and discrimination directed at our community.

Rahall’s grandparents immigrated to America from Lebanon and his father and uncles started their own radio station, WWNR radio in Virginia, demonstrating they had a fundamental understanding of how important communications and the media is in America.

American Arabs will be saluting Rahall’s service in the coming weeks in Washington D.C. They should also recognize Moran, too. And maybe we should bring them all together to lead a public discussion about why they were so successful despite the intense opposition they faced.

Rahall will join the World Affairs Council serving on the International Affairs Council.

Congratulations on a great career Congress Rahall, and Congressman Jim Moran, too. You both deserve recognition and praise for rolling up your sleeves and fighting the good fight for truth, justice and the American way.

No one has done it better than you.

(Ray Hanania is an award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter and columnist. He is President/CEO of Urban Strategies Group media consulting and is managing editor of The Arab Daily News and the Illinois News Network. Reach him at rghanania@gmail.com.)

Video of my standup comedy introduced by former ADC President Mary Rose Oakar, one of the great American Arab political activists and champions of justice and civil rights.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
RAY HANANIA — Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster

Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.

Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronical, and Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.

Hanania is the US Special Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper, covering Middle East and Arab American issues. He writes for the Southwest News newspaper group writing on mainstream American issues.

Click here to send Ray Hanania email.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist - September 19, 2023
  • AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees - September 18, 2023
  • Disrespecting the memory of the 2,977 murdered victims of Sept. 11, 2001 by fueling a hatred of Arabs and Muslims - September 11, 2023

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
American Arabs, Bloggers, Commentary, News, Ray Hanania, US Arab Politics, Video Tags:ADC, American Arabs, Congress, James Abourezk, James Moran, Mary Rose Oakar, Nick Rahall, politicians, politics

Post navigation

Previous Post: Mordechai Vanunu Weds Norwegian Professor in Jerusalem
Next Post: Why Aden is so Important?

Related Posts

  • Jerusalem, Dome of the Rock. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Jerusalem: Co-existence not Denial Arab World
  • ‘Last Men in Aleppo,’ Airing July 10, 2017 on POV, Documents Syrian Volunteers’ Heroic Work. Photo courtesy of AMC/PBS TV
    Last Men in Aleppo series airs July 10 on PBS American Arabs
  • No to Judge Gorsuch and No to Evil Designs of McConnell Commentary
  • UAE Embassy Visits the City of Atlanta, Georgia to Promote Increased Partnership and Trade American Arabs
  • Interview with historian Benjamin Stora Abdennour Toumi
  • Arab World represented by three films at Oscars tonight American Arabs

More Related Articles

Dearborn election endorsements from The American Arab & Muslim Political Action Committee AMPAC Oct. 2021 for the Nov. 2, 2021 elections. American Arab & Muslim PAC endorses Abdullah Hammoud for Dearborn Mayor Bloggers
King Abdullah of Jordan offers the US to send Jordanian ground forces to attack ISIS in Syria Ali Younes
The beauty of Baladi under the ugly occupation American Arabs
Rasoul Introduces Virginia Marshall Plan for Moms Activism
Pictured Director Arti Ishak and Playwright Omer Abbas Salem A Free Virtual Reading of Mosque4Mosque by Omer Abbas Salem American Arabs
Canada Coptic Orthodox welcome His Grace Bishop Eklemandos American Arabs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Windows at many American Arab owned stores were broken the day after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. 14 Americans who "looked' Middle Eastern were murdered in the six months after the terrorism by Americans, most of whom were never prosecuted. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Disrespecting the memory of the 2,977 murdered victims of Sept. 11, 2001 by fueling a hatred of Arabs and Muslims
    September 11, 2023
  • Magdi A. Mofadal is the ambassador of Sudan to Austria
    Factors Stalling the Peace Process in Sudan
    August 28, 2023
  • Arab Americans and other minorities will suffer if automakers eliminate AM radio
    August 28, 2023
  • Magdi A. Mofadal is the ambassador of Sudan to Austria
    Reviving the Bread-basket Strategy: The Backbone of Sudan’s Recovery
    August 10, 2023
  • grab634.jpg
  • Ziyad-300x300FIndStore.jpg
  • NEWS
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, announced Tuesday (Sept. 19, 2023) the filing of a lawsuit with a dozen plaintiffs seeking an end to the government’s secret watchlist that almost exclusively targets Muslims for harassment and humiliation when they travel.
    CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist
    September 19, 2023
  • Furquan Ahmed serves as the Wayne County Community College District’s (WCCCD) Senior Vice Chancellor and President of the Northwest Campus.
    AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees
    September 18, 2023
  • Congresswoman Debbie Dingell Wikipedia
    Flooding slams Wayne County in Detroit Michigan: Dingell releases statement of support
    August 27, 2023
  • MBC launches new satellite channel focused on Saudi Culture
    Saudis launch new Satellite TV channel dedicated to Saudi Culture
    August 18, 2023
  • NEWSWIRE
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, announced Tuesday (Sept. 19, 2023) the filing of a lawsuit with a dozen plaintiffs seeking an end to the government’s secret watchlist that almost exclusively targets Muslims for harassment and humiliation when they travel.
    CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist
    September 19, 2023
  • Furquan Ahmed serves as the Wayne County Community College District’s (WCCCD) Senior Vice Chancellor and President of the Northwest Campus.
    AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees
    September 18, 2023
  • MBC launches new satellite channel focused on Saudi Culture
    Saudis launch new Satellite TV channel dedicated to Saudi Culture
    August 18, 2023
  • Abed Ayoub ADC National Director (Aug. 2022)
    ADC launches Arab American Business Advisory Council
    July 14, 2023

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Events

  • Amer Zahr's 1001 Laughs Palestine Comedy Festival returns in 2023
    Amer Zahr's 1001 Laughs Palestine Comedy Festival returns in 2023
    16 Sep 23
  • US Council of Muslim Organizations to hold 10th anniversary Fundraiser
    US Council of Muslim Organizations to hold 10th anniversary Fundraiser
    15 Oct 23
    Oak Brook
  • Arab American Democratic Club to host 40th Anniversary celebration Oct. 25
    Arab American Democratic Club to host 40th Anniversary celebration Oct. 25
    25 Oct 23
    Bolingbrook

POPULAR POSTS

  • AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) is pleased to announce its ... posted on September 18, 2023
  • Disrespecting the memory of the 2,977 murdered victims of Sept. 11, 2001 by fueling a hatred of Arabs and Muslims Disrespecting the memory of the 2,977 murdered victims of Sept. 11, 2001 by fueling a hatred of Arabs and Muslims ... posted on September 11, 2023
  • Factors Stalling the Peace Process in Sudan Factors Stalling the Peace Process in Sudan By Magdi A. Mofadal Sudan’s partners are sounding the alarm over the deteriorating ... posted on August 28, 2023
  • Arab-American influencers Furrha Family share secrets of their success Arab-American influencers Furrha Family share secrets of their success Salem Furrha and his eight children @theFurrhaFamily on TikTok and Instagram represent ... posted on February 6, 2021
  • Flooding slams Wayne County in Detroit Michigan: Dingell releases statement of support Flooding slams Wayne County in Detroit Michigan: Dingell releases statement of support Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released the following statement ... posted on August 27, 2023
  • Michigan city’s all Muslim government an example for the rest of America Michigan city's all Muslim government an example for the rest of America By Ray Hanania On November 2, 2021, voters ... posted on August 8, 2023

Recent Posts

  • CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist
  • AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees
  • Disrespecting the memory of the 2,977 murdered victims of Sept. 11, 2001 by fueling a hatred of Arabs and Muslims
  • Factors Stalling the Peace Process in Sudan
  • Arab Americans and other minorities will suffer if automakers eliminate AM radio
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Glory to God int he Lowest by Author Rev. Donald Wagner
    Book Review: Glory to God in the Lowest: journeys to an unholy land
    February 18, 2023
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Comedian Ahmed Ahmed at The Comedy Bar in Chicago June 9 - 11, 2023
    Comedian Ahmed Ahmed performs in Chicago June 9-11, 2023 at The Comedy Bar
    June 9, 2023
  • Ziyad Food item
    Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan 
    April 4, 2023
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast
    December 15, 2022
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Comedian Ramy Youssef courtesy of his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ramysfaceboo/
    “Ramy” cable series melds Arab world reality with every day American life
    October 22, 2022
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2023 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme