Hon. Spencer Abraham, U.S. Secretary of Energy, receiving "The National Order of the Cedar”"  from H.E. Farid Abboud, 

Lebanon Awards 
"The National Order of the Cedar"
to Spencer Abraham, 
U.S. Secretary of Energy 

On behalf of the President of Lebanon Emile Lahoud, H.E. Farid Abboud, Ambassador of Lebanon to the United States, awarded "The National Order of the Cedar” to the Honorable Spencer Abraham, U.S. Secretary of Energy.
The official ceremony took place at the home of the Ambassador of Lebanon in Washington, D.C., early March 2004. Among the distinguished guests were: Dr. Condoleezza Rice, National Security Advisor; Dr. Marwan Muasher, Foreign Minister of Jordan; ambassadors H.E. Jean-David Levitte of France, H.E. Nabil Fahmi of Egypt and, H.E. Bader Omar Al-Dafa of Qatar, and a number of U.S. legislators, friends and guests.
In awarding the National Order of the Cedar, Ambassador Farid Abboud said:
"This is an important occasion for Lebanon and for the relationship between our two countries. We are celebrating today the achievements of a remarkable son of Lebanon, and through him, the achievements of all Americans of Lebanese descent. 
"Spencer Abraham’s success story is fascinating because it is simple and exemplary. His father was born in a tiny village of South Lebanon called Dergaya and emigrated to this great nation nearly a century ago. His mother was born in the U.S., the daughter of Lebanese immigrants. Spencer, the grandson of a tiny village you could hardly see on a map went on to graduate from the Harvard School of Law and the Michigan State University, became Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, Co-Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee and Senator from Michigan from 1995 to 2001 and Secretary of Energy since 2001. 
"His journey is breathtaking, but comparable to those taken by thousands of other Lebanese immigrants to this great nation. It starts with a strong family upbringing, focusing on education and moral values, goes on with an adventurous plunge into a hospitable land of opportunity, and is crowned with success, rewards and the opportunity to serve. Walking with Spencer Abraham along this arduous road were his wife Jane and the members of the splendid family they both raised. Julie and Betsy are here with us, escorted by my son Philip, having all decided after careful consideration that Secretary Abraham fully deserves that they stay up late to witness his moment of glory as a Lebanese American. In addition, Spencer was surrounded by the support of the extended clan of the Abrahams and the Hersheys, many of them are with us this evening.
"Secretary Abraham has done what the sons and daughters of Lebanese emigrants to the U.S. do best: blending harmoniously their loyalty to the country which has welcomed and adopted (them), the United States of America, with their love for the country of their roots, Lebanon. Thus, Lebanon is honoring Spencer Abraham not only for what he has done, but also for what he is: a role model for all Lebanese expatriates and an inspiration to all those young emigrants who are starting their new lives, driven by the same hopes and determination embodied by Spencer Abraham.
"We are a nation of emigrants, there are four million Lebanese living in Lebanon, and more than fourteen million of them living abroad. In this country alone, there are more than three million Americans of Arab descent, the majority of whom are of Lebanese descent, involved in every walk of life and successful in every profession. They have demonstrated their inventiveness, courage and loyalty to this country for over a hundred years, and their dedication has been rewarded generously.
"There are prominent Lebanese Americans in the Democratic as well as in the Republican field, from California to West Virginia and from Michigan to Florida. Among us today are three prominent members of the Lebanese caucus in the Congress, Congressman Nick Rahall, a Democrat from West Virginia and Congressman Darrell Issa, a Republican from California. We even have an American of Lebanese descent representing the third option (for U.S. president). Ralph Nader is a living proof that you would find a Lebanese on each side of the fence, even when there are three sides to that fence. 
"A couple of years ago during an event at this embassy honoring Jacques Nasser, then CEO of the Ford Company, we all tried to figure out why and how the Lebanese have achieved prominence in such a variety of fields, whether in politics or in business. We wondered what links existed between those who excelled in the political realm such as Spencer Abraham or the Sununus, the car industry, such as Jacques Nasser at Ford or Carlos Ghossen at Nissan, those who did so in the oil industry, such as Ray Irani at Oxy, or in engineering such as Joseph Jacobs, or in acting and philanthropy such as Danny Thomas, the founder of the St. Jude Research Hospital, or in design clothing, such as Joseph Abboud, or in medicine such as Michael Debakey. We concluded that the roots of their success were a mixture of resilience and versatility, and a natural ability to bridge cultural gaps between situations located a world apart. In addition, Lebanon is situated in a tough neighborhood, the Middle East, and living dangerously has rendered the Lebanese particularly adept at confronting difficulties and weathering storms. Last but not least, our boldness is strengthened by the fact that intellectual modesty and humility are not prominent features of our national character. Most Lebanese are convinced that they know better and can do more than the rest of the inhabitants of the planet earth.
"The enduring view Lebanon enjoys in this country is one of resilience and dynamism, and of being an open and pluralistic society with a vibrant democracy, albeit an imperfect one, a democracy which has already adopted many of the features that the U.S. hopes would prevail in the region: a lively and complicated electoral process " in the next year or so we will have municipal elections then presidential elections, then parliamentarian elections.
"As a result of this positive perception and of the role played by Lebanese Americans, the U.S. approach to Lebanon has been consistently one of understanding and support. Even in moments of differences the relationship remained solid and close. The presence among us of Dr. Condoleezza Rice, President (George W.) Bush’s National Security Advisor, symbolizes the solidity of this relationship. It is an eloquent expression of the deep friendship between our two countries and our two peoples, and an acknowledgement of the ties binding them, of which many were created and nurtured by the Americans of Lebanese descent. We are deeply honored and gratified by your presence among us Dr. Rice. But Dr. Rice’s presence here is all the more touching and meaningful because it is personal, and because it goes well beyond a political gesture. It is the expression of her deep friendship to Secretary Abraham and his family. In spite of the enormous weight of her responsibilities, Dr. Rice wanted to share with Spencer Abraham the joy and pride of this moment in his life, when the country of his forefathers is acknowledging his success and the services he is rendering to this great nation.
"Lebanon is truly proud of Secretary Abraham for what he is and for what he has achieved. President Emile Lahoud’s decision to award him the National Order of the Cedar is a token of our gratitude and our pride. Joining us here at this momentous occasion is His Excellency George Frem, former Minister of Industry of Lebanon.’
After thanking ambassador Abboud and Dr. Rice, Secretary Spencer Abraham said:
"I am extremely honored to be with you tonight to receive the Order of the Cedar... and to share this evening with my family and friends.
"In my many years in public life, I have received my share of awards and plaques and honors. It comes from being in the public eye, and I am proud of every one I have received. But allow me to say that none of them could be so personal and mean as much to me as this one you have given me tonight. I say that not just because of the company I am joining " although it is overwhelming " but because, to be recognized in this way by the country of my grandparents’ birth, is an honor that transcends generations.
"Since I learned that I had been selected to receive this tribute, I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about my grandparents and my parents, because this honor you have bestowed on me, is theirs as well.
"About a century ago, my grandparents made the journey to the United States. They left behind everything they had in Lebanon to risk their fortunes on this new country.
"Like so many immigrants to the United States, Michael and Mary Habib Sears and Charles and Zahia Abraham arrived at Ellis Island in New York Harbor. They took their first steps on American soil under the watchful gaze of the Statue of Liberty. And like so many immigrants to the United States, they took their first steps into their new life with little in their pockets. My grandparents were not people of means. All they brought with them were the solid values of their families and church, a love for their old country, and large measures of optimism, determination, grit and a desire to succeed in their new one.
"One of my grandfathers worked in the mines in western Pennsylvania, later settling in Michigan. The other one was a peddler, traveling throughout the farming communities of rural Illinois selling his wares. He eventually saved enough money to own a grocery store in Toledo, Ohio. They worked hard in their jobs, and with their wives they worked hard to raise good kids. My grandparents instilled in each of them the qualities and values they had used to survive a move across an ocean into a new world. My father worked on the assembly line for Oldsmobile in Lansing, Michigan, and then he and my mother ran a mom-and-pop store there.
"Together, they raised my sisters and me with the belief that by working hard and playing by the rules, we could make a contribution to this country and make something of ourselves " to be proud Americans contributing to the future of this great nation. Just as important, they also raised us to be proud of our Lebanese heritage. They immersed us in the culture and traditions from which our family came, and built in us an appreciation " and a love " for the land of their parents.
"One thing they stressed was the similarity between our nations. Both the United States and Lebanon have a long tradition of free enterprise and a profound appreciation for the importance of education. I also grew up knowing that, historically, Lebanon has been a standard-bearer of freedom and democracy in the Middle East, much the same way America has been throughout the entire world. That made me even prouder of my Lebanese roots.
"I have never lost that appreciation for my family’s ancestral home. I have never shied from my heritage " whether it was when I went off to college at Michigan State " or law school at Harvard... or when I joined the White House staff... or was elected to the United States Senate... or when President Bush asked me to serve in his Cabinet.
"And so, when I think of my parents and grandparents " and our ancestors from Lebanon, it is clear what they were, made me, what I am today.
"This sense of being not just American but Lebanese-American has served me in every step along my career. When I served as chairman of the Republican Party in Michigan, I was able to recruit many from our community to get involved in politics, and I am proud of having played a part in bringing more Arab-Americans into government.
"When I ran for statewide office, I was very gratified by the reception and support from the Arab-American community, both in Michigan and around the country. When I got to the Senate, I knew I wanted to give back.
"Working with many people here tonight, including Ambassador Abboud, we accomplished important things.
"Together, we were able to get the travel ban to Lebanon overturned. Together, we worked to advance the inclusion of Americans of Arab descent into all aspects of American life. Together, we worked to preserve the great Lebanese historical site at Tyre. And together, we took giant steps to promote education in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East.
"In my view, there is no place in which the contribution of American education can be of greater significance than the Middle East. Lebanon and the Middle East must have talented, educated young people to strengthen their economies, increase standards of living, and offer an alternative to those who preach violence.
"In the Senate we successfully fought each year to make sure there was funding for the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad program, which meant continuing investments in the American University of Beirut and the Lebanese American University.
"President Bush " along with Dr. Rice, Secretary Powell, and the rest of the Administration " knows too that expanding educational opportunities around the world is the key to a peaceful, more prosperous future. That’s why when we formulated the Administration’s Middle East Partnership Initiative, the President insisted that education be one of its four key pillars. And it’s why a key element in that initiative is a program to establish partnerships between colleges and universities in the United States and the Middle East.
"It’s a great program, of which we can be justly proud, and I have little doubt it will be successful in helping to build a new, peaceful Middle East. But just as we look forward to seeing young people of Lebanon make their mark, we are also very proud of the contributions that Arab-Americans have made, and are making toward building this nation.
"Few things in my career have given me satisfaction as seeing Arab-Americans all over this country participating as full members in the grand American experiment... Dina Powell, Mitch Daniels, Elias Zerhouni, General John Abizaid, Bob Joseph. And I am confident that ten years from now we will see many, many more in similar positions and playing key roles.
"As I said earlier, I have been thinking a lot about my grandparents lately and what they would make of this evening. 
"I can only imagine how pleased they would be that their grandson grew up to serve in the Cabinet of a President of the United States ... and also to receive this highest of honors from a President of Lebanon.
"Indeed, this proud son of America has never been prouder of his Lebanese roots than I am tonight.’

Biography: Spencer Abraham, J.D., was sworn in as the tenth Secretary of Energy, January 2001. Prior to becoming Energy Secretary, he represented Michigan in the U.S. Senate from 1995 to 2001. Elected in 1994, he served on the Budget, Commerce, Science and Transportation, Judiciary, and Small Business Committees. 
He holds a law degree from Harvard University. He also chaired two-important subcommittees: Manufacturing and Competitiveness, and Immigration. A forceful voice for the business community and free enterprise. He endorsed policies and practices that promote and enhance America’s competitiveness and global leadership. 
Among other accomplishments, he authored the Electronic Signature in Global and National Commerce Act, establishing a federal framework for on-line contracts and signatures; the Government Paperwork Elimination Act, and the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, which protects Internet domain names for businesses and persons against copyright and trademark infringements. Maintaining affable relationships with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, He also authored 22 pieces of legislation that have been signed into law, an unprecedented accomplishment for a freshman Senator. 
Before his election to the Senate, he served as co-chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) from 1991 to 1993. At 30, he was elected to serve as chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, a position he held from 1983 to 1990. Secretary Abraham and his wife, Jane, live in Michigan and Virginia along with their three children. The website of the Department of Energy is: www.energy.gov.