World Lebanese Cultural Union
www.wlcu.world
Office of the world President
550 South Hill street, Suite 715A – Los Angeles, CA 90013 – USA
Office: 1-800-700-WLCU or 213-629-9282 – Cell 909-630-2575 Fax 213-629-2130
EMail: anise333@aol.com
Subject: Los Angeles and Beirut sign a Sister City agreement.
Dear Colleagues
On June 20th 2006, I had the privilege to address the Los Angeles City Council meeting at which the Council members unanimously voted to adopt Beirut as a Sister City. It was my honor to relay the message written by Mr Antoine Ghanem, Chairman of the “Culture and Heritage Committee“, (please see attached messages in Arabic and English).The ceremony that had started by reciting the American and Lebanese Anthems by Dr. Joanna Nachef, included an emotional word by Council President Eric Garcetti who visited Beirut last year, followed by the Lebanese American Councilmember Dennis Zine who was a major force behind the project. Councilmember Bill Rosendhal, who visited Beirut in the early 70’s, delivered a speech reminding the large audience in the big Chamber that Beirut was Paris of the Middle East: “ …Los Angeles is the city of the 21st century, and the future belongs to Beirut and we are living the future right now“. Councilmember Tom LaBonge, Director of all the Sister Cities programs praised the American Lebanese Community in Los Angeles for its great and diverse contributions. Among the speakers were Judge James Kaado, Mr Kanaan Hamzeh, Chairman of “The House of Lebanon”, Ms Wafa Kanaan, publisher of “ALO Hayati” magazine. Also present was Mr Edy Abdel Karim, President of WLCU San Bernardino chapter in California and Eng. Gus Malkoun, a Senior LA City Engineer, WLCU member associated with “The Culture and Heritage Committee” and an active member in the LA-Beirut Committee.
Last Friday, June 30th 2006, an official delegation of 23, visited Beirut. The delegation headed by LA Council President Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Dennis Zine and Ferris Wehbe , Chairman of the LA-Beirut Committee, visited the Minister of Interior Ahmed Fatfat accompanied by the Mayor of Beirut Abdulmonem Al-Aris. Both Garcetti and Al-Aris signed the agreement at the Nicholas Sursock Palace in Ashrafieh, followed by a banquet at the Phoenicia hotel. The WLCU representation in Beirut consisted of Gus Malkoun and Abdo ElKhoury from California.
I encourage all WLCU officials to consider a project such as this between your host city and your hometown in Lebanon. For details please contact Chairman Ghanem or myself.
Congratulations to all and may God bless you.
Anise Garabet
World President
