Source: The Associated Press

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030701/ap_on_go_co/arab_american_lawmakers_4

On July 1, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "the first U.S. officials to meet Syria's president in the tense atmosphere after the Iraq war were two relatively unknown congressmen, Rep. Nick Rahall, a Democrat from the coalfields of southern West Virginia, and Rep. Darrell Issa, a conservative Republican from southern California... Rahall and Issa are also two of only five lawmakers of Arab descent, which gives them credibility among Arab leaders such as the Syrian, Bashar Assad, that is shared by few others in a Congress regarded as staunchly pro-Israel... Personal contacts always are a better way to further American interests, said Rahall, who has served in Congress for 27 years and is the most active of the five in Middle Eastern affairs."