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November 1, 2009
Leaving a Legacy
Film documents an immigrant's journey into public service
by Vanessa Denha-Garmo
With the articulation of an educated man, the words of a wise man and the energy of a young man, Wadie Deddeh thanked a crowd of more than 300 people at Shenandoah Country Club last month who viewed a documentary about his life as a California statesman.
In the film, The Lion’s Journey: The Story of Wadie P. Deddeh, viewers learned that Deddeh, who was born in 1920 in Telkaif, Iraq, spent 27 years of his professional career as an elected leader. He retired in 1993 as a California state senator.
In the 60-minute documentary, we also learned the Deddeh became the highest-ranking Iraqi to hold public office in the California State Legislature. Most notably, he authored the legislation that formed the California Department of Transportation, earning his recognition as the "Father of Caltrans,” and also helped to bring the trolley system to San Diego. In 2006, Caltrans named its new headquarters in San Diego in his honor.
“This film is not about me,” said Deddeh. “This film is about America and the opportunity this country provided to a poor immigrant. It is the greatest country in the world.”
After a brief history lesson, this man of great faith explained the importance of thanking God for his blessings and opportunities he was given. He also expressed gratitude to the Chaldean community both in Detroit and San Diego for their years of support.
The inspiring documentary was produced by Emmy-Award-winning filmmaker Bonni Rooney. She worked closely with Deddeh’s wife Mary Lynn while researching and collecting artifacts for the film.
Deddeh built a reputation as a man of integrity – a man who stands by his word. His professional career can be summed up in the tagline of the documentary: “A politician thinks about the next election, but a true statesman thinks about the next generation.”
“I am honored that all of you came out tonight to view this film,” Deddeh told the Shenandoah crowd. “I hope this serves as a message to all of you young people that in America, anything is possible.”
The event was organized by Auday Arabo, the firm’s executive producer, who recently moved to Michigan from California and is now with the Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers. He served as the evening’s master of ceremonies. Helping him were Deddeh’s great nieces, Anita Bodiya, M.D. and Karen Denha. The Chaldean American Ladies of Charity provided the popcorn, candy and refreshments. The event served as a fundraiser for Iraqi refugees now living in Michigan.
The film will be broadcast on MBN TV; check your local listings. The DVDs are available for purchase at www.lionsjourney.com.
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Special Screening of THE LION'S JOURNEY to be held in Detroit, Michigan on September 28th, 2009
DETROIT, MI: The Chaldean Federation of America (CFA) is proud to present the Detroit premiere screening of the documentary film, THE LION’S JOURNEY: THE STORY OF WADIE P. DEDDEH. The film is the story of Wadie Deddeh, who in his twenties, immigrated from Baghdad, Iraq in 1947 and became the first Chaldean to ever hold the office of a State Senator in the United States. The film also includes a historical account of the first Chaldeans in Detroit and how the Detroit Chaldean community helped Deddeh get elected.
This premiere screening will be held at the Shenandoah Club at 7pm on Monday, September 28, 2009. The evening will begin at 7pm with a social hour from 7pm to 8pm. The MC will be Auday Arabo, Chief Operating Officer of the Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers Foundation (AFPD). Speakers include Michael George of the CFA and Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim who will lead the Invocation. Special guests include former Senator Wadie Deddeh, his son, Superior Court Judge, Peter Deddeh and filmmaker Bonni Rooney all of whom will be flying in from California for this event. The film will start promptly at 8:30pm. Refreshments and a cash bar will be available.
The screening will also serve as a fundraiser to raise money for Chaldean refugees thru the Chaldean Federation of America. 100% of the ticket sales will go towards the refugees. Tickets for the event can be purchased in advance for $20 and at the door for $25. Please call 248-851-3023 to reserve your tickets. Please make all checks out to: Chaldean Federation of America (CFA).
DVDs of the film, The Lion’s Journey, will be available for purchase at the event at a special reduced price – a portion of these sales will also be donated towards the Refugee fund.
Other sponsors of the event include: Chaldean Ladies of Charity, Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers (AFPD) and the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce.
Wadie Deddeh has many ties to the Detroit area beginning with his arrival in 1947 when he was in his late twenties. He worked in several grocery stores in the Detroit area before landing a job as a language instructor for the U.S. Army in California. When Deddeh first ran for State Assembly in California, he credits the Detroit Chaldean community with helping him with his campaign and eventually winning the election. Deddeh continues to have many family ties to the Detroit area.
For 27 years, Wadie Deddeh's warm personality and artful collaboration at the California State Legislature earned him the respect and friendship of Republicans and Democrats alike. Determined to honor his immigrant roots as a Chaldean Christian from Iraq, Wadie Deddeh knew the secret for creating respectful political partners and as a result, changed California's highway system for the better. Most notably, he formed the California Department of Transportation, earning his recognition as the "Father of Caltrans". Arriving penniless in America in 1947 and against all odds, he became the highest ranking Iraqi ever to hold political office in the California State Legislature. Despite death threats against him and his family during the Gulf War, his unwavering patriotism for America earned him a reputation as a dedicated American and family man. Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Bonni Rooney paints an intimate portrait about the life of a true American statesman and how his legacy has benefited his family, friends, community, and the state of California.
This will be the second premiere screening of The Lion’s Journey – following a very successful screening in San Diego, California on August 21st, 2009. Over three hundred people from the San Diego Chaldean community turned out to view the film and honor Senator Wadie P. Deddeh. The event was also a fundraiser which raised money to buy mattresses for new refugees in the San Diego area. The entire event was sponsored by The Neighborhood Market Association, (NMA), Group Indy Productions and Cox Communications who provided a state of the art projection screen and sound system.
For more information on this film, please visit: www.groupindy.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hundreds gather for premiere film screening of “The Lion’s Journey:
The Story of Wadie P. Deddeh
On August 21st, 2009, the Neighborhood Market Association (NMA) along with Group Indy Productions proudly presented the premiere screening of Bonni Rooney’s newly released film, The Lion’s Journey: The Story of Wadie P. Deddeh – a 60 minute documentary about the life of former California State Senator, Wadie Deddeh.
Over three hundred people gathered to view the film as well as support fund-raising efforts to purchase new mattresses for refugees. The banquet hall, usually used for weddings and other functions, was transformed into a theater-style venue with three large film screens and a state of the art sound system which was donated by Cox Communications.
The Executive Producer and former CEO of the NMA, Auday Arabo, flew in from Michigan to attend this historic event and was the MC of the evening. Arabo originally envisioned a film about Wadie’s life and approached local filmmaker, Bonni Rooney with the idea. The Lions Journey represents both the birth of a dream and highlights the achievements of an immigrant through determination.
Family, friends, former students and former staff all gathered to honor Wadie Deddeh for his contributions to the State of California and the Chaldean community. Additionally, there were many dignitaries and elected officials in attendance, including California Senator, Denise Ducheny, who represents Wadie’s fomer district, Assemblyman Joel Anderson, former Assemblyman Howard Wayne, San Diego County Sheriff, Bill Gore, Mayor of El Cajon, Mark Lewis, CA Superior Court Judges, the Honorable Peter Deddeh, the Honorable Polly Shamoon, and the Honorable George Woody Clarke, and Member of the San Diego County Board of Education, Jerry Rindone. In addition, the only Chaldean member of the Iraqi Parliament, the Honorable Ablahad Afram Sawa was in attendance.
Showing their appreciation, the audience broke out into applause on several occasions during the film. Afterwards, Senator Wadie Deddeh took the stage and spoke about his journey as an immigrant, and reminded everyone that it is possible to achieve anything in America if you put your mind to it and are willing to work hard. Visibly moved, his words brought tears to some and inspired others. Deddeh received a standing ovation. Even those who have known Deddeh for many years agreed that it was one of the best speeches they have ever heard him make during their lifetime.
The event was also a fundraiser for a very worthy cause, to raise money to purchase mattresses needed for newly arrived refugees. Many audience members contributed greatly to this fund by purchasing several copies of The Lion’s Journey DVDs afterwards – stating that they wanted to give them out to friends and family members so they could watch the film as well.
This historic and inspiring documentary, which was three years in the making, was produced and directed by Emmy award-winning filmmaker, Bonni Rooney. Rooney, who is a graduate student in television & film at San Diego State University, worked with Deddeh and his family for three years, obtaining interviews and footage, following him to Sacramento in order to interview his former staff from the California legislature. Rooney also credits Mary Lynn Deddeh, Wadie’s wife, for assisting her with the research required to complete the film and providing the volumes of newspaper articles and pictures used in the film. Rooney also traveled to Los Angeles to interview former governor, Pete Wilson, a good friend of Deddeh in the State Senate.
Arriving penniless in America in 1947 and against all odds, he became the highest ranking Iraqi ever to hold political office in the California State Legislature. For 27 years, Senator Wadie Deddeh's warm personality and artful collaboration at the California State Legislature earned him the respect and friendship of Republicans and Democrats alike. Determined to honor his immigrant roots, Deddeh knew the secret for creating respectful political partners and as a result, changed California's highway system for the better. Most notably, he formed the California Department of Transportation, earning his recognition as the "Father of Caltrans."
Despite death threats against him and his family during the Gulf War, his unwavering patriotism for America earned him a reputation as a dedicated American and family man. The film is an intimate portrait that highlights a true American statesman, and how his legacy benefited his family, friends, community and the State of California.
Copies of the DVD are available to purchase at the NMA office in San Diego or can be ordered online at http://www.filmbaby.com/films/4079.
Reviews from screening:
“Bonni Rooney captured the essence of the American dream in this stunning documentary on Wadie Deddeh. Watching Mr. Deddeh's story reminds me that in this great country you can come with nothing and make something great of yourself. It was an inspirational piece masterfully crafted and worth everyone's time to see.” --Ron Najor, Filmmaker
“The Lion's Journey is a tale well-told... It brings to life the American dream ---a hard working immigrant achieving remarkable success.”
–Mark Freeman, Filmmaker and
Professor of Television and Film at San Diego State University
“ Wadie speaks with so much passion for the freedoms that we as Americans may take for granted- because he knows the opposite- oppression, illiteracy for women, and his own inability to attend law school in Iraq because he was Chaldean. Wadie is a true patriot who has made this state and this country a better place…and we honor him for his great achievements.”
--Karen Schroeder, Former Student of Mary-Lynn Deddeh
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