Purdue President Daniels talks about his Syrian roots

posted on: Dec 11, 2015

Former Indiana Governor and current Purdue President Mitch Daniels talks proudly about his Syrian heritage.

“Very important part of our family,” said President Daniels. “I watch events over there, always have, with special interest.”

His grandparents emigrated from Syria in the early 1900s.

“Never did read or write English. He learned to speak it,” Daniels said about his grandfather.

Eventually, his grandpa did well in the states. He ran a gas station and a pool hall, which Daniels later learned was where his grandad ran a numbers racket.

“But I’m pretty sure knowing my grandfather, it was an honest numbers game,” joked Daniels.

Despite his heritage, Daniels said he wouldn’t second guess what any governor has done after recent terrorist attacks coming out of Syria.

“These are serious matters, we just saw 14 Americans murdered by someone who came in from that part of the world,” explained Daniels.

He hopes government finds a resolution soon, so Syrians can find refuge here. But Daniels said most Syrians would rather live in their own country.

“Coming here would not be their first resort. But in many cases, the last resort,” said Daniels. “So we can hope for peace that would allow them to do that.”

In 2011, Daniels received a public service award from the Arab American Institute.

Although he is proud of his Syrian heritage, he isn’t proud of the destructive acts coming out of the area.

Source: wlfi.com