Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise today to tell the hopeful story of the Boustany family, Lebanese immigrants who arrived in Providence, RI, 100 years ago next month. The family's history exemplifies the extraordinary contributions that generations of immigrants have made to American life. The Boustany family's journey began in Deir al-Qamar, Lebanon, a village southeast of Beirut. Life in Lebanon was difficult in those days. The people of Deir al-Qamar had seen it all: war, famine, pandemics, and even swarms of locusts. Michel and Yahout Boustany lost eight children to difficulties in childbirth and illnesses, and a ninth was tragically kidnapped. The surviving members of the grief-stricken family resolved to leave their native country to start a new life in a land of opportunity. Getting to America wouldn't be without heartbreaking setbacks. The departure was delayed 6 long years due to World War I. Sadly, Michel passed away unexpectedly not long before the family was to make the voyage. Yahout, and two of her sons, Francis, age 11, and Frem, age 17, resolved to carry on with the plan to emigrate. The Boustany family left for the first leg of the journey from Beirut on a Fabre Line steamship bound for Marseille, France. In Marseille, they boarded Fabre Lines' SS Providence on its maiden voyage to Providence, RI. The family landed at the Port of Providence in June 1920.…”