[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 55 (Thursday, April 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E513-E514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE LIFE OF ALEX MICHEL ODEH

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 16, 2015

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor 
the life of Alex Michel Odeh.
  Alex was born on April 4, 1944 in Jifna, Palestine and immigrated to 
the United States in 1972.
  He was married to Norma Odeh and settled in Orange County, CA where 
they had three daughters, Helena, Samya and Susan Odeh.
  Throughout his professional career, Mr. Odeh dedicated his 
professional life to teaching and served as a lecturer of Arabic 
Language and Middle East History at Coastline Community College in 
Santa Ana, California.
  He dedicated his life to the pursuit of combatting discrimination 
both at home and abroad as a civil and human rights activist.
  He was tireless in working with community and religious organizations 
to build bridges and foster peace and understanding between diverse 
groups.
  Unfortunately, his life was cut short and Alex was assassinated on 
October 11, 1985, when a bomb exploded as he entered the office of the 
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) at 1905 East 17th 
Street in Santa Ana, California during his service as the Western 
Regional Director of ADC.
  This year marks the 30th Anniversary of his murder and the community 
and his family has yet to gain closure and justice for his death.
  In June of 2013, I sent the Department of Justice a letter asking for 
closure in the case of Alex Odeh and we have yet to get a concrete 
answer from them, even though the FBI has characterized Mr. Odeh's 
death as a domestic ``terrorist attack.''
  I will continue to fight for answers to Alex's death and bring those 
that killed him to justice, but let us mark his death by remembering 
what he stood for and what he dedicated his life to: the pursuit to 
civil and human rights, as well as peace and mutual understanding 
between our diverse communities.

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