DATE o 5 - Z 'i3 ··- ~ S: 

The Honorable Penny S. Pritzker 

Secretary of Commerce 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

1401 Constitution Avenue, NW 

Washington, DC 20230 

The Honorable John Kerry 

Secretary of State 

U.S. Department of State 

2201 C Street, NW 

Washington, DC 20520 

The Honorable Anthony Foxx 

Secretary of Transportation 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

FOR DOCKETS: DOC-2015-0001, DOS-2015-0016, DOT-OST-2015-0082 

Dear Madam and Sirs: 

The issues being raised about the Gulf States airlines and their Open Skies agreements are of 

concern to me as Chair of the Arab American Caucus of the 1

California Democratic Party, to my 

colleagues, and to people in the Arab American community across the state. We consider this 

issue to have personal impacts and to be representative of the misunderstanding people of Arab 

background still face in today's America. 

The three airlines in question, Emirates Airways, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways, are among the 

primary providers of quality air service to the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, and other 

countries with large Arab populations. For Arab Americans in California, the Gulf States airlines' 
seNice out of Los Angeles International and San Francisco International Airports is essential. They 

have provided more direct routes, while also driving competition that has brought savings on the 

economy side and offering high-end accommodations that are attractive to business and first 

class travelers. 

While being fully committed to this country, many Arab people work hard to remain in contact 

with their countries of origin and participate in the lives of family and communities "back home." 

In some cases, Arab Americans are also well positioned to open business relationships in places 

like the United Arab Emirates, which can result in economic benefits for both sides. The required 

travel is not always easy, but the Gulf States airlines are helping in this regard. 

As you are well aware, Arab Americans are facing numerous challenges and misperceptions, not 

the least of which related to air travel. Oblique public references by U.S. airlines leadership to 

9/11 demonstrate that, while claiming a need for more "fairness," they are willing to act unjustly 

in pursuit of their goals. The Gulf States airlines should not be targeted for action because they 

are Arab-owned. 

In evaluating the arguments being pressed by the major U.S. airlines, it is clear that self-interest is 

at the bottom of their complaints. Such action is to be expected among competing businesses to 

gain every advantage possible. In this case, however, giving in to their demands to renegotiate 

Open Skies will not only harm Arab Americans and other travelers to and from the Middle East 

but extend the perception that there is something wrong with Arab-run airlines. A better 

resolution can be achieved. 

Thank you for the opportunity to submit this comment as part of an open dialogue on the issue. 

We appreciate your attention to these concerns. 

Sincerely, 

Murad Sarama, Chairman 

Arab American Caucus of the California Democratic Party 

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