State Representative Noah Arbit with Sharkey Haddad and Martin Manna of the Chaldean Community Foundation
Arbit bill to recognize Chaldean community’s impact on Michigan passes House
LANSING, Mich. — Today, in a bipartisan vote, the State House passed legislation introduced by State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) to recognize the invaluable contributions and achievements of Michigan’s Chaldean community. House Bill 4927 formally designates every May in the State of Michigan as Chaldean American Month, following Governor Whitmer’s historic proclamations in 2022 and 2023.
Michigan boasts the largest Chaldean population outside of Iraq, with many calling the Greater West Bloomfield area home. Many Chaldean Michiganders fled religious persecution in Iraq, seeking opportunity in Detroit’s auto industry. HB 4927 aims to serve as an annual tribute to the perseverance, resilience, and outstanding contributions of Chaldeans to building the State of Michigan.
Representative Arbit stated, “The Chaldean community’s expansive economic and cultural impact on the State of Michigan is self-evident not only here in West Bloomfield, Commerce, and the Lakes, but across Metro Detroit and the entire state. I am incredibly proud to represent many Chaldean families and institutions, from Shenandoah to St. Thomas, and I am truly honored by the opportunity to help uplift the stories of Chaldean families by introducing this bill to designate every May as Chaldean American Month. In recognizing this month, Michigan will not only celebrate our Chaldean neighbors’ indelible impact on our state, but also preserve their stories for future generations. Let’s get it done.”
Testimony in support of House Bill 4927 was given in the Government Operations Committee by Michigan native Dr. Erin Hughes, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Director of the Sarguis Modern Assyrian Heritage Project at California State University-Stanislaus, and Dr. Adhid Miri, Director of Special Projects at the Chaldean Community Foundation in Sterling Heights.
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Contact:
noaharbit@house.mi.gov | (517) 373-3816