Mitch Baroody, a member of the Class of 2014 at Elon Law, participated in a March 19 Washington, DC event to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the Lebanese Cedar Revolution. The event featured U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman and Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly.
The event took place in the Caucus Room of the House Canon building on Capitol Hill and included members of the Lebanese Information Center along with other Lebanese-American organizations. Members of Congress attending included Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Howard Berman, Steve Chabot , Darrell Issa, Nick Rahall, Charles Boustany, Eliot Engel, Gus Bilirakis, and the event’s congressional host, Shelley Berkley.
“We often speak so negatively and idealistically about the Middle East,” Baroody said. “I think it’s important to bring attention to positive events like the Lebanese people’s revolt against Syrian influence in their country. There are realistic strides being made for peace and freedom. We need to wake up and realize that many in the Middle East want the same sovereignty and respect that we enjoy.”
The Lebanese Cedar Revolution took place on February 14, 2005, when Lebanese people rose up against Syrian influences in Lebanon after the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
“I believe any peace process should make Lebanon the center,” Baroody said. “Removing Syria’s Assad from power and expelling his influence from Lebanon is one of the first steps to peace in the region. The second step is to disarm Hezbollah in Lebanon. If these steps are taken, Syria will face less oppression, Lebanon will live freer, Israel will be safer, and the region as we know it will gain much needed stability.”
Baroody, a Citadel alumnus, said he intends to continue shedding light on the situation in the Middle East and the possibilities the world has in bringing peace to the often-violent region. Baroody is the grandson of Lebanese grandparents, a former candidate for 3rd Vice-Chairman of the South Carolina GOP, and is a native of Florence, South Carolina.