Mailing List

To subscribe to our mailing list email us to: sac@sacongress.org
Syrian American Council

Address:
P.O. Box 371
Willow Springs, IL 60480

Phone:(630) 642-0026
SAC activities/ News
               Syrian American Congress
                  Fourth Annual Meeting

The Syrian American Congress (SAC) held its fourth annual meeting on October 31, 2009 at the Renaissance Hotel in Oak Brook, Illinois.  The meeting drew over 200 Syrian American professionals, families, and a number of non-Syrian friends.
 
The event began with the Syrian and U.S. national anthems, and words of recognition by Dr. Lina Jamoul, the master of ceremonies, for the invaluable contributions of Dr. Tala Sunbuli, SAC President, Dr. Ala Sasila, Tarek Rifai, and Marwqan Safadi, SAC executive board members.
 
Lena Jamoul.JPG
            Master of Ceremonies Dr. Lina Jamoul

Dr. Louay Safi, Chairman of the Board, welcomed the guests and SAC members in his opening remarks, and noted the constructive approach by the Obama administration toward Syria. He stressed the need for Syrian Americans to get more involved in the current debate on the direction of the American-Syrian relations. He also congratulated SAC leaders and members for working hard to inform the Syrian American community on developments in Syria and to work toward development a Syrian American presence despite mounting difficulties.
 
Following the dinner and an entertaining trivia by Dr. Ghassan Zalzalla, the program commenced with a power point presentation by Dr. Edward Langston, Board Member of American Medical Association (AMA). Dr. Langston’s presentation, titled Healthcare Reform, What you should know provided the audience, which included a large number of Syrian American physicians, with an in- depth analysis and update on the healthcare debate and the position of the AMA on the debate.

Ghassan Zalazlla.jpg
                   Dr. Ghassan Zalzalla's Presentation 


Edward Langston 1.jpg
       Dr. Edward Langston addressing SAC's meeting

Following Dr. Edward Langston's presentation, Dr. Syed J. Shirazi, Chairman of Radiation Oncology Center at LCMH and Palos Hospital, presented an overview for establishing cancer treatment center in Syria.  Dr. Shirazi presentation titled "Radiation Treatment Center for Syria, need, requirement, and cost."  Dr. Shirazi’s presentation described the local experience of establishing a Cancer Treatment Center in Illinois and drew parallels to a potential Cancer Treatment Center project in Syria describing the infrastructure, cost, maintenance and impact of such project. 
 Dr Sharizi.JPG
         Dr. Syed Shirazi addressing SAC's meeting

The keynote speech was given by Nicole D. Shampaine, the U.S. State Department Liaison to the Middle East. Ms. Shampaine’s address was titled President Obama's Middle East Policy and gave a general overview of the Obama administration’s position on key issues in the Middle East including the policy towards Syria, the question of Palestine, and President Obama’s outreach to the Arab and Muslim worlds.

shampian1.jpg
              Ms. Shampaine addressing SAC's meeting 
 
Ms. Shampaine’s presentation was followed by a heated discussion which drew a number of critical questions from the audience on the motives and reasons behind some seemingly inconsistent positions by the Obama administration towards Syria and other issues linking Syria to the issue of Palestine.
 
Sunbullie 2.JPG
                 Dr. Sunbuli addressing SAC's meeting

Dr. Sunbuli delivered the event’s closing remarks by thanking the speakers, attendees and organizers and by emphasizing the need of an organization bringing the talent and resources of Syrian Americans towards improving the condition of Syrian Americans and Syrians.

Mobile Pictures 012 Group[.jpg
         
Symposium on Economic and Political Reform in Syria
December 2nd, 2007
SAC hosted one day Symposium on Economi and Political Refoprm in Syria at the Chicago Marriott Southwest in Burr Ridge, Illinois on December 2nd, 2007.  Guest speakers included: 
The symposium also included a workshop regarding Syrian Americans resources and limitations.   The work shop was condcuted by Dr. Lina Jamoul, Organizer, United Power for Action and Justice.

Hadith Al-sham
September 9th, 2007

SAC hosted Hadith Al-sham presentation on September 9, 2007. The guest speaker for the event was Dr. Osama Kadi, an Economic Consultant.  Dr. Kadi presentation title was “Syrian Economy and Three Perspectives: Government, World and Syrian Immigrants (Expatriates)”.  The event was part of SAC efforts to educate the Syrian American community and the public at large of economic and political developments in Syria. The event was attended by large number of Syrian-Americans.

The Syrian American Congress Observes
Syrian Independence Day

The Syrian American Congress (SAC) held a symposium and reception at the Chicago Marriott Southwest on April 28, 2007 in commemoration of Syrian Independence Day ( Eid-Al-Jalaa). The key note speaker for the event was former US ambassador to Syria Theodore Kattouf who addressed a nearly –packed hall concerning the importance of pro-active involvement in Syria.

Dr. Lina Jamoul, associate organizer of United Power for Action and Justice, commenced the evening by presenting a preliminary report on civic societies in general, and a report on Syria in particular. Following Dr. Jamoul was Dr. Louat Safi, Chairman of SAC, who alluded to future activities of the organization. He discussed a plan for a SAC convention to be held in Damascus, Syria, in conjunction with the participation of civic societies throughout Syria and the U.S.

The distinguished guest for the evening, Ambassador Theodore Kattouf, expanded on the duties of the Syrian American community toward the motherland and the need to encourage positive democratic changes in Syria from within.

The symposium concluded with an interactive questions and answer session. Discussion topics included how to raise awareness in the Syrian American Community concerning the challenges that face Syrians in the U.S. and abroad.

SAC is a grass toot organization representing the Syrian American in the United State. SAC promotes friendly relations between the people of the U.S. and Syria. It values civil liberty, democratic reforms and the rule of law in Syria.

For more information, please visit the Syrian American Congress on the web at www.sacongress.org. Or contact Dr. Louay Safi directly at 317-679-6350 or via email at louay@sacongress.org. You can reach Dr. Talal Sunbulli, SAC President, directly at 708-373-6531 or via email at tsunbulli@sacongress.org.


Strategic Planning Retreat
Detroit, Michigan – Saturday, October 28, 2006

SAC convened a strategic Planning Retreat on October 28, 2006 to prepare a plan for the next two years. The meeting was held in Detroit, and was attended by SAC board members, invited guests, and resource persons.

SAC leaders revisited the organization's vision and decided to refine it and produce a new vision statement. SAC's new vision statement reads: "To be recognized as a leading organization for the empowerment of Syria Americans and the promotion of peaceful democratic reform and economic development in Syria."

To advance this vision, the leadership identified four priorities: (1) Build diverse membership, (2) build alliances with civil society organization in both Syria and the United States, (3) engage the Syrian and American Governments, and (4) support Syrian civil society organizations.

It was agreed that SAC should enter into partnership relations with Syrian American social and professional organizations, and should organize conferences and training program in both Syria and the Untied State, and involve civil society organizations from both countries in these events.

It was also agreed that SAC should work to organize a conference in Syria in 2007, and to begin discussions with both governmental and non-governmental organizations for this purpose. SAC will also establish Awards of different categories to recognize the good work of Syrian civil society organizations.
 
  
Web Hosting by iPowerWeb