Aug 1, 2006- Kaptur Calls For Cease Fire In Lebanon

The American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL) strongly endorses thisCongressional effort. Dr. George Cody, Executive Director of the taskforce commended the signers of the letter "who are trying to bring an end tothe carnage and destruction taking place in Lebanon and Israel,now and in the future." ATFL, a nonprofit organization, is made up ofprominent members of the Lebanese-American community and is dedicated tomaintaining a secure, stable, independent, and sovereign Lebanon, with theGovernment of Lebanon exercising exclusive control over all its territory.

According to the ATFL, roughly 600,000 Americans are of Lebanese decent,with the highest concentration of Lebanese-Americans in the country stretchingfrom Detroit to Cleveland, including a high concentration in Toledo, Ohio,the seat of Congresswoman Kaptur's district.

Congresswoman Kaptur, representing this substantial Lebanese-Americanconstituency, as well as a considerable Jewish community, is a strong advocatefor a peaceful solution to escalating conflicts in the Middle East. In a statement on thefloor of the House of Representatives on July 27, 2006, Congresswoman Kapturpleaded with her colleagues to remember the plight of those affected by Middle East violence over the five-weekrecess. "Surely," she told the House of Representatives, "we aredestroying a part of the earth that will take generations to restore, and weevery day are watching young people and innocence killed by the hundreds andthousands."

During House debate, she promoted a peaceful solution to the violentsituation in declaring, "It is especially essential to be a voice for peacewhen others believe that escalating the military option without serious andequal emphasis on political and diplomatic efforts will yield calm andresolution." It is in this spirit that she has authored this letter tothe President asking for a total and immediate cease-fire between all warringparties.

Besides these distinguished Members of Congress, numerous notableLebanese-Americans have called for a cease-fire including Toledonative Jamie Farr, Casey Kasem, Kathy Najimy, and Tony Shaloub.

Click Here ViewCongresswoman Kaptur's Letter to the President

ClickHere To View Congresswoman Kaptur's Speech On Wednesday JULY 27, 2006