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Florida Legislature 2005 (click for ongoing coverage)

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Bush recognizes local Iraqi during address

By CARRIE JOHNSON
Published March 8, 2005

	[AP photo]
	Ahmad Maki Kubba is recognized by other guests at the governor's State of the State speech Tuesday.

TALLAHASSEE - Twenty-five years ago, Ahmad Maki Kubba was forced to flee his native Iraq for speaking out against Saddam Hussein.

On Monday, the 47-year-old Clearwater real estate agent was recognized by Gov. Jeb Bush during his State of the State address as a symbol of progress in the war-torn country.

In January, Kubba organized a trip to Nashville for about a dozen friends to register to vote in the Iraqi election. A week later, they made the 24-hour roundtrip journey again to vote in the historic election.

"People often talk broadly about the importance of the fight for liberty," Bush said. "Maki shows us what it means for our friends and neighbors, both here and abroad."

Kubba, accompanied by his 15-year-old son, Hany, said he was honored to attend the speech.

"I was selected by God as an affidavit to be here today and talk to the public," Kubba said. "We say it from the bottom of the hearts of millions of Iraqis: thank you, America."

Kubba spent 40 days in prison. He left Iraq for America in 1979 after he was sentenced to death.

Kubba's father also was a political prisoner in Iraq who died during a savage beating by Hussein's regime, Kubba said.

Someday soon Kubba said he will return to his native country to run for office in the next election. "From the soul of my dad, I say thank you, America," Kubba said. "And I want to tell my dad that his dream came through."

-- Carrie Johnson can be reached at 727 892-2273 or cjohnson@sptimes.com

[Last modified March 8, 2005, 18:42:30]