AUGUST 2005

ESHOO URGES SUPPORT OF
IRAQI RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY
U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto, California) has
offered an amendment to H.R. 2601, the Foreign
Relations Authorization Act, to protect indigenous
Christians in Iraq from continuing religious persecution
and political exclusion. The amendment unanimously
passed the House by a voice vote.
“Iraqi Christians welcome the opportunity to
move beyond the days of repression and persecution,”
said Eshoo. “They wish nothing more than to
be able to fully cooperate and participate in the
development of a democratic, pluralistic state, and
the commitment provided by this amendment gives
them great promise.”
Eshoo’s amendment urges the departments and
agencies of the U.S. Government to pay special
attention to the welfare of ChaldoAssyrians and other
Iraqi Christians who have been the subject of great
harassment and intimidation even after the fall of
Saddam Hussein. The amendment also calls on
President Bush and his administration to work with
the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) to dedicate funding for the
promotion of welfare and education, as well as the
resettlement for these minority groups in Iraq.
“These groups receive a disproportionately small
share of the reconstruction and developmental
resources available, which in turn has spurred the
emigration of as many of 80,000 Iraqi Christians
since liberation,” Eshoo said.
“ChaldoAssyrians and other native Iraqi Christians
are not only being ostracized and repressed, they are
also being kept from their homes,” she added.
“Protecting the rights of minority groups and ensuring
that all individuals in Iraq — regardless of religious
affiliation or ethnic background — are given the tools
they need to succeed is critical to establishing a fullyfunctioning
and sustainable democracy.”
Eshoo has served in the House of Representatives
since 1993. She is currently the only Assyrian-
American member of Congress.
CULTURAL CENTER
‘MILKS’ LARGE DONATION
More than $100,000 a year will be donated to the
Chaldean Community Cultural Center by Country
Fresh Dairy. The firm includes Melody Farms,
which was founded by Michael George.
Country Fresh is giving the CCCC a 1 percent
rebate on all dairy products (except ice cream)
sold at Chaldean-owned stores. Ice cream may be
added in 2006.
Based on existing volume, the rebate will
exceed $100,000 per year.
“I am very happy to have the company participate,”
said George. “They were asked for a donation
but this is even better because it’s a perpetual
donation.”
The program will be administered by Jerry
Shannon of Country Fresh, who will work directly
with George.
Store owners who are not customers of Country
Fresh milk and wish to participate in the program
can call the (734) 261-7980.
“The Chaldean Cultural Community Center will
be a monument for the whole world to understand
Chaldeans and their history back to ancient
Babylon,” George said. “I expect the CCCC to be
a national showplace.”
The CCCC, located in Shenandoah Country
Club in West Bloomfield, is expected to open in
late 2006.
LEST WE FORGET
Family members of Sean A. Seman gathered at his
burial site at Holy Sepulchre on July 19 on what would
have been his 28th birthday. Seman was killed on May
12, 2001 in an apparent drive-by shooting in Detroit.
He and his cousin, Jerome Yono, and friend, Damon
Loussia, went to Space in Detroit that night and were
shot at after leaving the club. Details of the crime are
still murky, and despite a $50,000 reward posted by
the family, police have received no tips. The only real
clue is that the assailants were driving a red and white
Bronco. “It’s hard for everyone to move on,” said
Sean’s sister, Sandra Mearim. Anyone with information,
including where the trio planned to go that night,
is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (800) SPEAK UP.
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AUGUST 2005 CHALDEAN NEWS 13