(L-R) ACC CEO Haifa Fakhouri State Rep. Klint Kesto, ACC board chairman Abe Munfakh.

DETROIT — The Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC) celebrated its 35th annual Civic & Humanitarian Awards Gala at the Renaissance Center on Saturday, Oct. 4. The council honored founding members, businesspeople and elected officials during the event. 

Gov. Rick Snyder gave the welcoming remarks. He praised the leaders of ACC for their humanitarian efforts and highlighted the positive economic impact of the Arab American and Chaldean community on the region. 

“[ACC] serves over 80,000 people a year,” Snyder said. “That’s impressive. We should be proud of that.”

He added that the state and ACC are strong partners, explaining that both Michigan’s Department of Human Services and Office for New Americans work with the council to aid refugees and people in need. 

The governor commended the ACC for its work on the Seven Mile Project, where the organization helped revitalize the neighborhoods along Seven Mile Road between John R. Road and Woodward Avenue in Detroit. 

“Long before we saw some of the exciting things happening now in midtown and downtown, ACC was doing it in the neighborhoods, and we should be thankful to their efforts,” Snyder said.

The governor stressed the importance of ACC in working with refugees. He said being a destination where people are looking for a haven want to start a new life is what makes America great. 

“Too often, as we bring in refugees, we send them to other parts of the country and send the services with them,” said Snyder. “We can work hard together to say we want them in this area. They want to be in this area. Let’s create a partnership to bring them to this area.”

The governor said Arab and Chaldeans are a business power that helped in the state’s recovery. 

“We have a strong Arab American and Chaldean community in our state, and during the difficult years they were one of the strong economic engines,” said Snyder. “If you want to know what a good entrepreneur is, look at someone in this community.”

Dr. Haifa Fakhouri, the president and CEO of ACC, thanked the governor and handed him an award at the end of his speech. 

Mark Schauer, the democratic nominee for governor, was also present at the ceremony. 

ACC gave the State Leadership Award to State Rep. Klint Kesto (R-Commerce Township) and the City Leadership Award to Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence. Andrew Sanara, a businessman and an ACC board member, and Salman Sesi, an ACC founding member and veteran attorney and diplomat, received the Life Achievement Award. 

Congressman John Dingell, the dean of the House of Representatives, was awarded a special recognition. His wife, Debbie Dingell, who is running for his seat after he announced that he will not seek reelection, accepted the award on his behalf.

“John would have liked to be here tonight but was unable to,” she said. “But he would do anything for Dr. Fakhouri. Tonight we celebrate the vision of this courageous woman and how much she has done over 35 years to bring hope to so many people in Southeast Michigan and to bring us all together.”

Dingell noted that both republican and democratic politicians were present at the gala, which is a testament to the important work of ACC. 

The council paid a special tribute to the late Rev. John Badeen and activist Michael George.

Badeen was the first chairman of ACC and served the council for more than 35 years as a “leader, mentor and a friend.” George was the former chairman of the Chaldean American Chamber and one of the founders of the Chaldean Iraqi American Association of Michigan. 

Ron May, the executive vice president of Major Enterprise Projects at DTE Energy, highlighted the work of ACC in Detroit’s neighborhoods and talked about the charitable programs of his company, which include lighting neighborhoods in Detroit in partnership with the city. 

A representative of General Motors announced a $25,000 donation from the automotive company to ACC.

At the end of the ceremony, Fakhouri thanked the attendees and congratulated Muslims on Eid Al-Adha, which coincided with the dinner.