By Munir K. Nasser
Chief Correspondent, Washington, DC
Albawaba.com
President-elect George W. Bush on Tuesday named Spencer Abraham, an Arab American who has recently lost a re-election bid for his Senate seat from Michigan, to be his Secretary of Energy.
At an Austin news conference, Bush said Abraham "knows the issues of energy policy and understands the opportunities and challenges before us" as the nation seeks "energy security."
In his response, Abraham said, "I think it is a testament to the special place that America is, that a grandson of poor Lebanese immigrants can have the opportunity to serve in the Cabinet of the president of the United States."
Abraham said that "many significant Energy Department issues face us at this time, ranging from
the adequacy of supply, to affordability, to the development of new technologies, to the issue of security at our facilities and more.
"I look forward to helping the president-elect effectively address these challenges in the days ahead.”
Leaders of the Arab American community applauded Bush for appointing Abraham to a cabinet level post. Abraham is considered a vocal advocate on issues of concern to the Arab American community. In the Senate, he played a critical role in securing US aid for Lebanon. He also sponsored a resolution recognizing the contributions of American Muslims and assisted many humanitarian relief organizations in obtaining the necessary permits to supply food and medicine to Iraqi civilians. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he became a leading advocate for legal immigration and immigrant rights.
Jim Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute (AAI) said in a statement that Bush's selection of Spencer Abraham for Energy Secretary was a wise and thoughtful choice. “He is a man of integrity who is respected throughout the Arab world for being a fair minded and reflective leader. As a community, we couldn't be more pleased with this selection," said Zogby.
AAI Chairman George Salem praised Bush's nomination of Abraham and said it speaks volumes about the contributions Arab Americans are making to public service. “For the first time an Arab American will have responsibility for an agency of great relevance to many Arab states,” he said. “Our community has worked for more than 20 years to ensure that Arab Americans are fully engaged in all levels of civic and political life. This nomination is not only a recognition of the work that Spencer Abraham has done but a tribute to the entire Arab American community."
Abraham has ties to the previous Bush administration, having been picked in 1990 to serve as deputy chief of staff for Vice President Dan Quayle. In 1994, Abraham won a Senate seat, the first Republican to do so in Michigan in 22 years, but he lost it in a tight battle last November to Democrat Debbie Stabenow.
During his time in the Senate, Abraham served on the budget, small business, commerce science and transportation, and judiciary committees. He also chaired two subcommittees, one on immigration and another on manufacturing and competitiveness.
He is considered experienced in Washington politics and policy, and is close to Republican Senate GOP leader Trent Lott. He was a deputy chief of staff to vice president Dan Quayle, and in 1992 was a key aide to the National Republican Congressional Committee. He breaks with the Republican Party's accepted view by supporting liberalized laws governing immigration.
Though Abraham has shown little interest in energy issues in general, he has been a supporter of automakers. Coming from East Lansing, Michigan, the heart of the US auto industry, Abraham has taken the industry’s side on many issues, including a strong opposition to raising the federal standard for vehicle fuel economy.
Abraham, 48, is the grandson of Lebanese immigrants, whose maternal grandfather came to America from Lebanon. He began as a peddler and eventually opened his own grocery store. His paternal grandfather was also a Lebanese immigrant who worked in the West Virginia coalmines before seeking a better life in Michigan as an autoworker and grocery storeowner. Like his father before him, Abraham’s father was an autoworker. He and his wife pursued the American Dream of owning their own business, a small shop in downtown Lansing.
Abraham received a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and started his climb into politics while at Harvard Law School. He later became chairman of Michigan’s Republican Party before heading to Washington.
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