World Lebanese Cultural Union
The WLCU San Francisco Chapter celebrated the Lebanese Emigrant day by hosting a Lebanese brunch on Sunday March 8, 2015. Three prominent elderly Lebanese American were honored in the event for their contribution to the Lebanese community. The event started by singing the Lebanese National Anthem. This was followed by a welcoming speech by The WLCU San Francisco Chapter president Mr. Khalil Khoury. He saluted the honorees and praised them for their contributions to the American Lebanese community in San Francisco.
In his speech Mr. Khoury gave an overview about Lebanese immigration in the world in general but focused about the history of the Lebanese immigration to the US.
He stated the following facts about Lebanese Emigrant in the US:
There is approximately one million Lebanese in the US with more than 50 % of them are descendant from Lebanese immigrants who came to the US between 1880 -1990. Khalil added that the Lebanese community is one of the most successful groups in the US. According to the American Community survey that was conducted between (2006-2010), Lebanese American have high rates of home ownership, bigger houses, higher income than the average American citizens and tend to be more highly educated .
Mr. Khoury also stated that in 1992, President Bill Clinton said that Lebanese American have played an important role in the history of the US with major achievement in medicine, business, law, governments and arts.
He also mentioned that Lebanon is the only country in the world with more than twice of its population live abroad. He concluded his speech by thanking the audience for attending this event. He also presented the three honorees with gifts, courtesy of the WLCU – SF chapter.
