Dear friend,

Last week was a big week. I could say that about just about every week lately, but it was particularly true last week, and maybe not for the reasons you think.

Last week, the House passed a resolution formally recognizing the Armenian Genocide. I've fought for 19 years in Congress to make this moment a reality.

Let me back up. I'm proud to represent the largest group of Armenian Americans in the nation in my district in Los Angeles, and the failure by the United States to call the killing of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire a century ago what historians agree it was -- a genocide -- has been an open wound for the Armenian American community. Ever since I was elected in 2000, getting the House of Representatives to pass a simple resolution stating the facts of the genocide has been a top priority for me.

And it's been hard. It's been incredibly frustrating. We've come close a few times, but when we did, a flood of lobbyists would descend on Congress to oppose us and overcome all the hard work of grass roots supporters around the country.

Until last week. And not only did it pass, it got over 400 votes.

What's my point? Well, first off, I thought it was important to highlight some other issues that are important to me and to my constituents. But I also think that this victory holds a lesson for the fight we have ahead of us:

First, even when I was frustrated about getting this resolution passed, I never for a moment thought about giving up. Because I knew that we were fighting for the right thing: to right a wrong that had long gone unaddressed.

Second, as I watched the vote total for the genocide resolution tick over 400 members last week, I was reminded that things can change fast -- and that's why we must keep fighting.

And here's my last thought:

This is what's possible with a true grassroots effort. With determination. Never giving up.

We've always been outspent in this fight, but we had a committed grassroots community behind us who were motivated to write and call their Members of Congress and to organize and work hard.

Last week, you also showed me that I have a real grassroots effort behind me, because 4,428 supporters stepped up in the last days of October to show you stand with me.

After last week, I'm more certain than I've ever been that we're fighting for the values of country and our precious democracy -- and that together, we can win.

Thank you for being there with me.

Adam

STAND WITH ADAM:
[link removed] Schiff represents California's 28th Congressional District. Since he was first elected to Congress in 2000, Adam has been a leading progressive voice, especially when it comes to issues of national security, protecting our environment, and improving our nation’s economy, health care, and education. He is the Ranking Member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, working to defend our democratic values.

PAID FOR BY SCHIFF FOR CONGRESS



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