Snyder Names 1st Members To Middle Eastern Commission

LANSING (AP) — Gov. Rick Snyder has made his first appointments to a commission aimed at reflecting the growing diversity of those in Michigan with Middle Eastern roots.

The Republican governor has named 15 members to the Middle Eastern American Affairs Commission. He created it in February to replace the Michigan Council on Arab and Chaldean Affairs.

Members include Dearborn City Council President Susan Dabaja, Ypsilanti attorney Suzanne Sukkar and Grand Ledge information technology executive Sharif Hussein. The commission's chairwoman is Manal Saab, a Fenton-based real estate development and consulting executive who advises or volunteers for numerous Arab-American groups.

The board works within the Department of Civil Rights to monitor, evaluate and provide recommendations to the governor and the department. Members also work to enhance economic opportunity, prevent discrimination and spread awareness.

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