MARONITE CHURCH IN US ASKS MEMBERS TO IDENTIFY AS "Syriac"

SO THAT THE COMMUNITY RETAIN ITS OWN ETHNIC IDENTITY
MARONITE CHURCH IN US ASKS MEMBERS TO IDENTIFY AS "SYRIAC"
THE "AMERICAN MARONITE UNION" CALLS ON THOSE WHO MISSED TO SEND A NEW FORM

Washington DC, Lebanon Bulletin, staff, April 9, 2000
In a historic move that would bring potential change to the visibility and clout of the Lebanese-American community, the Maronite Church in the US asked its members to identify as "Syriacs," braking years of dominance of the Arab lobby in America in the most sensitive area of domestic politics. The historic move, was embodied by a circular no. 10 issued by the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn in New York, and signed by Chorbishop Joseph Kaddo. The memorandum, released to the Pastors and Administrators of the Eparchy of Saint Maron said:
THE US MARONITE CHURCH MEMORANDUM
"As you know the Federal Decennial Census 2000 is currently underway. In previous Federal census registrations, Lebanese Maronites were counted as "Arabs," which means that any Federal monies which were available for educational and social services, went to the Arab ethnic community at large. The US Census Bureau has approved a new category named Syriac (not Syrian), which represents for the first time separate recognition for the people of Syriac-speaking origin. It is important that our people register as Syriac on the census 2000 forms. Registration as white will simply include us in the majority population and registration as Lebanese will include us automatically as Arabs. To register as Syriac, the Census Forms should be filled as follows: Short Census Form: First page, at question 7, the box for "No (not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino) should be filled in at the spaces provided there. At the sections for additional persons on the following pages, at Question 5, the box for "No (not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino) should be filled in at the spaces provided there for each additional person listed. Long Census Form: Third page, at the question on race, the box for "some other race" should be checked and Syriac should be filled in at the spaces provided there. At the sections for additional persons on pages 4 and following, at the question for each additional resident, Syriac (not Lebanese) should be written in at the space provided. A sheet with examples of how to fill out these questions is enclosed for your information. It is my suggestion that our people be encouraged to register as Syriac on the Census 2000 Forms. In this way, we will be counted as a separate ethnic minority, and may qualify for some Federal financial assistance for our educational and social programs. Please communicate this information promptly to your parishioners. "

AMU TO US MARONITES: IF YOU MISSED THIS CRITICAL POINT, SEND A NEW CORRECTED FORM !
On its part the "American Maronite Union" (AMU), the national affiliate of the World Maronite Union (WMU) issued an urgent action alert calling on all Maronites and Lebanese Christians in the US who missed this critical point to send another Census Form. The AMU action alert, released via Internet, said:
To all members of the Maronite community in the United States, as well as to all Lebanese Christians from Aramaic-Syriac descent. The Eparchy of the Saint Maron of Brooklyn issued a historical call to all of us to identify as "Syriac" in the ongoing US Census. We, as American Maronite Union, cannot but praise our spiritual leadership and our Church for this crucial move. This ethnic self identification will finally allow us to emerge as a proud community, reconciled with its history and confident in its American future. The term Syriac (Syriani) is not Syrian (Suri). Syriac is our historical identity, Syriac is our historical language which we still use partially in our services. But more importantly, in the current political and institutional frameworks, it will allow our community finally to distinguish itself from the Arab-American community. That distinction is not sought for the aim of creating divisions but as a fundamental right to our community, the largest American ethnic group from Middle Eastern Christian descent. The US Census is crucial for us Maronites and Lebanese Christians for several reasons. In addition to the issue of Federal funds which must be distributed fairly, the fact that the US Government will have to recognize our community, its numbers, and its distribution will have important consequences regarding our main community issues, particularly the Lebanese cause. Therefore, the American Maronite Union, a Maronite advocacy group which seeks to defend the rights of our community in this country, urges all those who did not receive the memorandum and didn't return their Census Forms yet, to use the term Syriac when indicating ethnic and ancestry affiliation. As to those who sent their forms without this reference we urge you to contact the Census Bureau at your earliest convenience to request a new form. The AMU will be available to assist all those who need further information or who would decide to send a new form.
We cannot but stress the crucial importance of the Maronite Church memorandum, considering it as the most important declaration of our Church in America since its inception.

From: MichelRaphael@aol.com
Sent: Monday, March 25, 2002 10:23 PM
To: rami@cremesti.com
Subject: with all my love