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A Letter from Asm. Matt Dababneh
Tuesday, May 27th, 2014
http://asbarez.com/123489/a-letter-from-asm-matt-dababneh/
California State Assemblymember Matt Dababneh
As the month of April has passed, and we remembered the tragedies of
genocide, let May reinforce the triumphs and victories of the Armenian
people. The first independence of Armenia was won on May 28, 1918, and
almost a century later, halfway across the world, the Armenian people
have many reasons to celebrate continued victory.
On April 7th, I met with a delegation of over 350 Armenian community
members visiting the capitol to have their voices heard on issues of
importance to them. They went door to door and urged their state
representatives to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide. That same
day on the Assembly Floor, I rose in support of AJR 35, a resolution
that designated April 20th-26th as California Week of Remembrance for
the Armenian Genocide. The resolution passed unanimously. A victory.
There are several other important resolutions and bills that I
strongly support and advocate for, including AB 1915, that once passed
will mandate all California public schools to include the Armenian
Genocide in their curriculum. This would result in future generations
learning the truth about world history in the hopes of creating a more
tolerant and understanding future. A victory.
On May 8th, one day before the commemoration of Shushi's liberation, I
took part in an unprecedented vote, to support the efforts of
self-determination and democracy in Nagorno-Karabakh. Only 20 years
after the cease-fire, the Permanent Representative of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic was present in our state capitol to witness
AJR 32 pass with an overwhelming 72 votes. A victory.
Earlier this month, I met with many of you during my Armenian
Community Town Hall and heard firsthand what interests and concerns
you have. During the town hall, I was inspired to see so many in the
audience were students from our local Armenian High Schools, actively
and intelligently participating in the legislative discussion. A
victory.
The transition from the month of April to May is representative of the
fortitude that allowed for the Armenian people to rise from the
difficulties of genocide to freedom and democracy.
As descendants of that resilient generation, the hard work and
dedication that has led you to such successes in our state is not
surprising.
Over the past six months as your Assemblymember, I have worked
diligently to ensure your issues are heard and addressed. Yet the work
I do on behalf of your community is important not only for you but for
all Californians, because they underscore American principles of
respect for historical truth and human rights. The spirit of triumph
demonstrated by the Armenian people is inspiring, and I am eager to
work together in pursuit of even greater victories to come.
Tuesday, May 27th, 2014
http://asbarez.com/123489/a-letter-from-asm-matt-dababneh/
California State Assemblymember Matt Dababneh
As the month of April has passed, and we remembered the tragedies of
genocide, let May reinforce the triumphs and victories of the Armenian
people. The first independence of Armenia was won on May 28, 1918, and
almost a century later, halfway across the world, the Armenian people
have many reasons to celebrate continued victory.
On April 7th, I met with a delegation of over 350 Armenian community
members visiting the capitol to have their voices heard on issues of
importance to them. They went door to door and urged their state
representatives to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide. That same
day on the Assembly Floor, I rose in support of AJR 35, a resolution
that designated April 20th-26th as California Week of Remembrance for
the Armenian Genocide. The resolution passed unanimously. A victory.
There are several other important resolutions and bills that I
strongly support and advocate for, including AB 1915, that once passed
will mandate all California public schools to include the Armenian
Genocide in their curriculum. This would result in future generations
learning the truth about world history in the hopes of creating a more
tolerant and understanding future. A victory.
On May 8th, one day before the commemoration of Shushi's liberation, I
took part in an unprecedented vote, to support the efforts of
self-determination and democracy in Nagorno-Karabakh. Only 20 years
after the cease-fire, the Permanent Representative of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic was present in our state capitol to witness
AJR 32 pass with an overwhelming 72 votes. A victory.
Earlier this month, I met with many of you during my Armenian
Community Town Hall and heard firsthand what interests and concerns
you have. During the town hall, I was inspired to see so many in the
audience were students from our local Armenian High Schools, actively
and intelligently participating in the legislative discussion. A
victory.
The transition from the month of April to May is representative of the
fortitude that allowed for the Armenian people to rise from the
difficulties of genocide to freedom and democracy.
As descendants of that resilient generation, the hard work and
dedication that has led you to such successes in our state is not
surprising.
Over the past six months as your Assemblymember, I have worked
diligently to ensure your issues are heard and addressed. Yet the work
I do on behalf of your community is important not only for you but for
all Californians, because they underscore American principles of
respect for historical truth and human rights. The spirit of triumph
demonstrated by the Armenian people is inspiring, and I am eager to
work together in pursuit of even greater victories to come.