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[Page S2425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING MIRIAM ZAYED
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, in the early 20th century, hundreds of
emigrants left the Palestinian town of Beitunia to come to Chicago for
a better life. Many could not read or write in English. Still, they set
about succeeding in America and fitting into society, overcoming
obstacles in a new land, becoming salesmen, shopkeepers, and factory
workers. Miriam Zayed grew up in this community outside of Chicago.
Khalil Gibran once wrote, ``I slept, and I dreamed that life is all
joy. I woke, and I saw that life is all service. I served, and I saw
that service was joy.'' The call to service isn't an easy path, and not
nearly enough answer this call, but there are times when you meet
someone who embodies the joy of service. This was Miriam Zayed.
Miriam passed away last fall in October after a lifetime of
leadership. She spent her life fighting for Arabs and Muslims in the
Chicagoland area and the rights of everyone.
Born and raised in Chicago, Miriam always had a love of politics and
education. She convinced her parents to let her go to Chicago State
University, becoming among the first in her family to attend college.
But there was one stipulation. Her mother had to go with her every day.
Miriam's thirst for knowledge would not be deterred by having her mom
take her to and from school and wait outside her classes. She went on
to receive her master's degree from National Louis University in
curriculum education.
Miriam was one of the first Arab Americans in the Chicagoland area to
run for public office when she ran for District 230 School Board in the
1990s.
As treasurer of the Arab-American Democrat Club, Miriam brought all
local politicians and candidates to attend the annual candidate's forum
brunch and encouraged the Arab-American Community to attend and be
recognized as voting constituents. I have attended the AADC forums, and
promise you, it was always a full house, and Miriam was always working.
She never sat for the entire event.
Those that attended AADC brunches, events at the United Holy Land
Fund, or the Beitunia Club events knew the tireless work of Miriam
Zayed. She never sought the limelight, but all who knew her respected
her.
When she wasn't building her community, Miriam was teaching in the
Chicago Public School system in the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago.
For decades, she taught at the Earle Elementary School. She took her
classes to the Art Institute in Chicago, and for some students, it was
the first time they ever went downtown. She educated her students about
State government and introduced them to public officials. Miriam
purchased school supplies and clothing for her students too. Miriam
also somehow found time to run her own business as a certified public
accountant, helping people in the community with their tax preparation
and planning needs. She treated everyone as family.
The week before she passed away, a candidates' forum and brunch that
she helped organize took place to celebrate politics and the 2018
election. By then, she was too ill to attend as she had done so many
times before. The brunch's keynote speaker, Illinois House Speaker
Michael Madigan, reported that April would be designated Arab Heritage
Month by the State of Illinois. There wasn't a better place to make
that declaration.
In May of this year, Miriam will be awarded the 2019 Najeeb Halaby
Award for Public Service posthumously by the Arab American Institute
Foundation at the Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards. This award
is given to those who promote greater understanding and appreciation of
diversity and inclusion. Her decades of work for her students, the
greater Chicago area, and the many communities of which she was a
member make her more than worthy of the award.
Miriam's joy in service and love for her family and community will be
missed. She is survived by her husband Refat Zayed; her children Hythem
Zayed, Belal Zayed, Holly (Zayed) Murad, and Lena Hussien; and by her
brothers and sisters, Nancy, Zayid, Adele, Heyam, Hanan, Cindy, and
Dena.
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