Justin Amash
official U.S. Congress photo of Justin Amash, c. 2015
Place of Birth: Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
Date of Birth: April 18, 1980
Ethnicity: Palestinian Arab, Syrian Arab
Justin Amash is an American attorney and politician. He served as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan, from January 3, 2011 to January 3, 2021. He was a Republican until 2019, becoming an independent, and then joining the Libertarian Party in 2020. Thus, he is the first Libertarian to serve in the U.S. Congress.
He was a candidate for the Libertarian Party’s nomination for President of the United States in 2020.
His father, Attallah, is from a Palestinian Arab Christian (Antiochian Orthodox) family, and moved to the U.S. in 1956. His mother, Mimi, is Syrian, from a Syrian Orthodox family. Justin is an Orthodox Christian.
Justin is married to Kara, with whom he has three children.
Justin’s paternal grandfather was named Elias A. Amash/El-Amash/Elamash.
Justin’s paternal grandmother was named Fotten. Fotten was born in Lid.
Justin’s maternal grandfather was named John Hanin Soukar.
Justin’s maternal grandmother was named Lili.
Sources: Genealogy of Justin Amash (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Obituary of Justin’s paternal grandmother, Fotten Amash – http://obits.mlive.com
Here is his mother’s naturalization petition: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR9-73N9-S?cc=2546149&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3A84S6-61MM
She was born Mary Jean, but changed her name to Marie. Unfortunately, I still can’t find her maiden name.
BTW, it appears the the Amash surname was originally El-Amash/Elamash.
According to her father’s obituary, Mary Jean/Marie “Mimi” Amash is the daughter of John Hanin Soukar, so Soukar is his mother’s maiden name and John Soukar is Justin’s maternal grandfather.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9NV-3W8L?i=1061&cc=2215693&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQK7H-RC6C
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/190038941/john-hanin-soukar
John’s wife’s name is/was Lili.
Arab?