IV 
112TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 608 
Honoring the life and work of Arab-American writer Ameen Rihani and 
celebrating the 100th anniversary of the publication of the first Arab- 
American novel, ‘‘The Book of Khalid’’, by Ameen Rihani. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 29, 2012 
Mr. RAHALL (for himself and Mr. BOUSTANY) submitted the following resolu-
tion; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform 
RESOLUTION 
Honoring the life and work of Arab-American writer Ameen 
Rihani and celebrating the 100th anniversary of the pub-
lication of the first Arab-American novel, ‘‘The Book 
of Khalid’’, by Ameen Rihani. 
Whereas Ameen Rihani was born in Freike, Lebanon, in 
1876 and moved to New York City with his family at age 
eleven in 1888; 
Whereas Rihani mastered English and Arabic in his youth 
and wrote many novels, nonfiction books, plays, essays, 
poems, and travelogues in both languages during his life-
time; 
Whereas Rihani became a United States citizen in 1901; 
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•HRES 608 IH 
Whereas Rihani became an interlocutor between Arabs and 
Americans, meeting with Arab leaders, representing the 
Arabs at important international conferences, and report-
ing on the situation in the Middle East to the Depart-
ment of State and several United States presidents; 
Whereas by writing in popular American publications and 
giving lectures at major institutions, Rihani educated the 
American public about the lives and ambitions of Arabs; 
Whereas Rihani introduced free verse poetry into Arabic in 
1905, inspired in particular by the American poet Walt 
Whitman; 
Whereas Rihani became a model and mentor for the 
‘‘Mahjar’’ writers of Arab descent in the United States, 
whose work has become extraordinarily influential and 
popular around the world; 
Whereas his 1911 masterpiece ‘‘The Book of Khalid’’, the 
first Arab-American novel, is an important record of 
Arab immigration to the ‘‘Little Syria’’ community of 
Lower Manhattan and today is a powerful example of the 
potential of the United States to inspire the Arab world 
in its democratic aspirations; 
Whereas Rihani’s travels in the Arabian peninsula in the 
1920s and close relationships with the leaders of the re-
gion made him, according to scholar Irfan Shahid, ‘‘the 
apostle of the Arab-American relationship’’; 
Whereas Rihani was quoted by President George W. Bush 
about the power of the Statue of Liberty in 2008, stating 
that ‘‘[g]azing at her lamp held high, [Rihani] wondered 
whether her sister might be erected in the lands of his 
Arab forefathers. Here is how he put it: ‘When will you 
turn your face toward the East, oh Liberty?’ ’’; 
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•HRES 608 IH 
Whereas Rihani’s protagonist in ‘‘The Book of Khalid’’ ar-
gues: ‘‘To these United States shall the Nations of the 
World turn one day for the best model of good Govern-
ment; in these United States the well-springs of the high-
er aspirations of the soul shall quench the thirst of every 
race-traveller on the highway of emancipation; and from 
these United States the sun and moon of a great Faith 
and a great Art shall rise upon mankind.’’; and 
Whereas Rihani died in his hometown of Freike, Lebanon, in 
1940: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) honors the life and work of Arab-American 
writer Ameen Rihani; and 
(2) celebrates the 100th anniversary of the pub-
lication of the first Arab-American novel, ‘‘The Book 
of Khalid’’, by Ameen Rihani. 
Æ 
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