The
featured guest speaker of the reception was Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR). A
long-time friend of the Iranian American community, Smith was first elected to
the U.S. Senate in 1996. Since then, he has earned a reputation for independence
and bipartisanship. Senate leaders have recognized Smith's ability and have
asked him to serve on important committees and in key leadership positions. From
2005 to 2007, he served as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on
Aging. A recent congressional ranking by National Journal placed Smith at the
ideological center of the U.S. Senate.
In his guest speech, Smith spoke
about the contributions of Iranian Americans to American society. He stressed
their high level of education, hard work, and rich cultural heritage, and said:
"I have worked with distinguished Iranian Americans since I entered politics and
appreciate the remarkable contributions they have made to the United States. I
urge them to play an even greater role in the American political process, and I
look forward to their participation in the development of policy decisions in
the future." Smith said that he was "...thankful for the many Iranian Americans
I know and for their support over the years." He also stated that he was looking
forward to working with IAPAC.
Following Smith's speech, there was a
question and answer segment in which the senator answered a multitude of
questions concerning U.S. policy towards the Middle East. Before leaving the
reception, Smith also took pictures and spoke individually to many of the
guests.
IAPAC is a registered bipartisan political action committee that
contributes to candidates for public office who are attuned to the domestic
concerns of the Iranian American community. IAPAC focuses exclusively on
domestic policy issues, such as civil liberties and immigration, and encourages
Americans of Iranian descent to actively participate in civic
affairs.
IAPAC has contributed to 28
candidates, to the National Republican
Senatorial Committee, and to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
IAPAC has also supported 7 Iranian American candidates for public
office, including Goli Ameri, the first Iranian American to win a congressional
primary, Ross Mirkarimi, the first Iranian American elected to San Francisco
Board of Supervisors, and Jimmy Delshad, the first Iranian American Mayor of
Beverly Hills.
Since its inception, IAPAC has leveraged contributions to
candidates by working with community non-profit organizations to facilitate
briefings on Capitol Hill
on civil liberties and immigration issues as they relate to the Iranian American
community. IAPAC has also worked with members of the House of Representatives to
introduce a resolution declaring the
Congress’ condemnation of discrimination against Iranian Americans in any form,
and has provided Iranian Americans with direct access to their
elected representatives by holding multiple formal and informal
events.
