DEARBORN — Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn) took the oath of office yesterday during a swearing-in ceremony at the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn. In January 2017, he will begin serving as state representative in the Michigan House of Representatives. The oath was administered by Michigan Supreme Court Justice Brian Zahra. Hammoud will represent the 15th District, which comprises most of the city of Dearborn.

It was three months after Hammoud’s older brother passed that he announced his run for office. “Among an ocean of lessons about making people laugh, living to the fullest, and staying true to who you are, my brother, Ali, taught me how to be a thoughtful advocate for others,” said Hammoud. “I had the opportunity to put into action all that he instilled in me.”

On what would’ve been Hammoud’s late brother’s 29th birthday, Hammoud took his oath with his hand laying on the Quran gifted to his family after his brother’s passing. “There really is no place like home. And I’ve been bestowed with the honor of representing our values, our principles, and our families up in Lansing,” said Hammoud.

“This community, the Dearborn community, provided my family with everything — from social freedoms to financial opportunities,” said Hammoud. “This office of state representative was a way to give back, a way to ensure that the next generation has greater opportunities than I ever had.”

Hammoud fills the seat vacated by former state Rep. George Darany. Hammoud is a proud product of Dearborn Public Schools, has a bachelor of science degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a master of public health degree from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Before seeking office, Hammoud was a professional health adviser for the Henry Ford Health System. He was also a board member of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.