Meet The Founder
Senator James G. Abourezk
Senator James George Abourezk was an American attorney and is the first Arab American to serve as a United States Senator, representing South Dakota. James was elected as a United States Representative from South Dakota in 1970. He served in that role for one term before being elected as a United States Senator for South Dakota in 1972, where he served until 1979. James made history as our nation’s first Arab American Senator.
As Senator, James was a voice for justice and equity, incredibly influential in advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples in the United States, and was was also recognized as a leading advocate for the rights of Indigenous peoples. He was a driving force in creating the American Indian Policy Review Commission and the Select Committee on Indian Affairs, serving as a chair for both. In his efforts to represent tribes in Congress in working toward improving federal relations, he authored two landmark pieces of legislation, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
James has paved the way for others through his work and trailblazing leadership. After his departure from the Senate, James was driven to create ADC after the FBI Abscam operation, in which FBI agents impersonated Arabs in stereotypical and offensive fashions. He mobilized the Arab American community, spearheading our nation’s first grassroots movement dedicated to advocating for the civil rights of Arab Americans. His historic efforts helped laid the groundwork for the anti-Arab and anti-Islamophobic activism we witness today.
In 1980, Abourezk founded the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) in response to stereotyping, defamation, and discrimination directed against Americans of Arab origin. James played an essential role in leading the Arab American community for many years, significantly contributing to our role and history in this country.
James was born at home in Wood, South Dakota, which was at one time part of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in 1931. His parents, Charles and Lena Abourezk, immigrated from Lebanon. He was married to Sioux Falls restaurateur Sanaa Abourezk and had four children, Charles Abourezk, Nikki Pipe On Head, Paul Abourezk, and Alya Abourezk. He also had one stepdaughter Chelsea Machado, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
James passed away on the evening of February 24, 2023, in South Dakota, at the age of 92, surrounded by family and loved ones. Under his leadership and vision, ADC became and remains the preeminent grassroots organization representing Arab Americans.