James George Abourezk was an American attorney and politician from South Dakota best known for being the first Arab American Senator of South Dakota who supported the causes of Palestinians and Native Americans. Abourezk was a child of immigrant Lebanese who served in the Navy for four years from 1948 and 1952. He got a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and a law degree from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1966. Before he... moreJames George Abourezk was an American attorney and politician from South Dakota best known for being the first Arab American Senator of South Dakota who supported the causes of Palestinians and Native Americans. Abourezk was a child of immigrant Lebanese who served in the Navy for four years from 1948 and 1952. He got a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and a law degree from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1966. Before he pursued a career in politics he worked a number of jobs including being a farmhand, car salesman bartender and bar owner. Abourezk opened his own legal practice in South Dakota and soon after joined the Democratic Party. From 1971 to 1973 he served in the United States House of Representatives and in 1972 he was elected into the Senate. He was popular for his legislative successes like the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, as well as the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. After he retired in 1980 he founded a grassroots civil rights organization called the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. He also published a book called Advise and Dissent: Memoirs of South Dakota and the U.S. Senate.
