August 9, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 134 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1046-E1047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND SCHOLARSHIP OF HISHAM AHMED

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK DeSAULNIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 9, 2019

  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
scholarship of long time Saint Mary's College professor, Dr. Hisham H. 
Ahmed.
  Hisham was born in 1963 at the Dheisheh refugee camp near Bethlehem, 
Palestine. Despite being born without eyesight, Hisham committed 
himself to his studies as a child and scored third in the Palestinian 
National Exams, enabling him to study in the United States.
  Hisham began his academic career at Illinois State University earning 
a bachelor's degree in political science in 1985. He went on to earn a 
masters and doctorate in political science from the University of 
California, Santa Barbara in 1986 and 1988, respectively. Over the next 
30 years, he would teach at Florida International University, the 
University of North Dakota, Bir Zeit University in Palestine, and 
ultimately here in Contra Costa County at Saint Mary's College of 
California.
  Hisham was a renowned scholar of Middle East politics and 
international relations, as well as an expert on terrorism and the 
Hamas movement. In 1993, he served as a Fulbright Scholar in Palestine. 
Hisham worked constantly to improve international understanding through 
teaching and research, and co-founded several international bodies to 
enhance peace, democracy, and human rights in the Middle East.
  Beyond his professional achievements, Hisham wrote poetry and was 
well-versed in Arabic literature. He was a loving husband and father, 
and had a wonderful sense of humor. As a teacher, scholar, and 
advocate, he spoke truth to power to remove walls, build trust, and 
empower others.

[[Page E1047]]

  Please join me in honoring the life of Dr. Hisham Ahmed. He will be 
sorely missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and students.

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