05/7/1999
Official Release - Assyrian American National Federation


May 7, 1999

The Assyrian American National Federation hereby announces its official position on the matter of the classification of the Assyrian population in the United States of America as it relates to the year 2000 Federal Census project.

AANF is the largest Assyrian Culture organization in the world outside the Middle East.  The AANF has 32 member organizations across the United Sates, which collectively represent more than 100,000 Assyrian American members.  Therefore, the Organization finds it critical to officially announce that AANF will maintain it's 1990 Census position on how the ethnic Assyrian Americans should be classified and incorporated in the year 2000 Federal Census tracking program.

AANF maintains its position that all members Assyrian Americans should request to be classified as "Assyrian" only.  The AANF further urge all the non-member Assyrians to contact the US Census Bureau and request that they be classified as "Assyrian" only.  This is one of the most important decisions that you as an individual can make for the Assyrian people scattered around the world, and especially for the Assyrians in the Middle East.  The Assyrians in the United States and around the world need to be identified as One ethnic group speaking with One Voice.

Sincerely,
Sargon Lewie
President
Assyrian American National Federation