Washington, D.C. | www.adc.org | September 30, 2021 – This evening Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA), along with Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), introduced a congressional resolution remembering and honoring the life and legacy of Alex Odeh. The resolution recognizes the terrorist assassination of Alex Odeh and expresses condolences to his family and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC). The introduction of this resolution is a welcome step in acknowledging the impact of Alex’s life in his community and the country. This reaffirms the importance of continuing to pursue justice against those who caused his untimely death.
The resolution was introduced by Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA), who represents the district where Alex and his family lived, and where the attack which claimed his life occurred. The resolution is co-sponsored by Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), the first Palestinian woman elected to the House of Representatives, and life long civil rights and peace advocate.
Alex was a tireless Arab-American peace activist who committed his life to protecting civil and human rights in the U.S. and abroad. He was a poet, a lecturer of Arabic Language and Middle East History at Coastline College in Santa Ana, and ADC’s West Coast Regional Director at the time of his assassination.
Alex was tragically assassinated when a pipe bomb exploded as he entered the ADC West Coast Regional office in Santa Ana, California on October 11, 1985. Despite knowing who the primary suspects are, those responsible for the attack have not yet been brought to justice, and the investigation into the remains open.
ADC has released the following statements regarding the introduction of the resolution:
ADC National President Samer Khalaf said, “I want to thank Representatives Lou Correa and Rashida Tlaib for introducing this resolution and honoring Alex’s memory. We urge all members of the House of Representatives to support this resolution and demonstrate that civil rights heroes such as Alex must be remembered. For almost 40 years, ADC has been tirelessly pursuing justice for this heinous act of violence, and we will not stop until those who are responsible are charged and convicted.”
ADC Legal and Policy Director Abed Ayoub said, “To call this attack anything other than what it is, an act of terrorism, would be reductive and dishonor the legacy of Alexander Michael Odeh. Alex was a civil rights icon, one compared to Medgar Evers, and his lifelong struggle for the rights of all should be remembered. The introduction of this resolution is a first step in ensuring that Alex’s legacy is never forgotten.”
ADC Legislative and Policy Coordinator Chris Habiby said, “Civil rights heroes should be remembered, and it is an absolute travesty that the name Alex Odeh is neither mentioned when discussing the fight for civil rights nor when discussing victims of domestic terrorism. ADC looks forward to working Representatives Correa and Tlaib, as well as with other members of Congress as we continue our fight for justice.”
ADC calls on all members to reach out to their Congressional representatives and urge them to support this resolution to ensure that Alex Odeh is not forgotten, and the pursuit of justice continues.