The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee elects new president

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) announced Monday that former U.S. Representative Mary Rose Oakar will take over the Presidency of the organization starting this June 15, 2003.

Oakar, who served as Democratic congresswoman from 1977 to 1993, will replace outgoing ADC President Ziad J. Asali, who will assume the presidency of the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP), newly created to promote the committee's mission by focusing its efforts on the question of Al-Quds (Jerusalem).

"It is an honor and privilege to become President of an organization that does so much important work to promote a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, and to defend the rights of Arab Americans and all the people of our great country," said Oakar.

Oakar has received numerous prestigious awards, including the American Cancer Society's Distinguished Service Award for Legislation, the Consumer Federation of America's Legislator of the Year award, and the National Association for Homecare's Award for Working on Aging Issues. She was also named "One of the Ten Best Legislators in Congress" by 50 Plus Magazine and "One of the 10 Best Members of Congress for Health and Women's Issues" by McCall's Magazine.