Dear friend,
I am about get a heart attack because I am sick and tired of being mistreated by the California legislature. I wish this mistreatment is directed to me as a person. I would lick my wound and get over it in a short period of time.
Because I am representing Turkish interests, I take any misconduct against me as an insult to my nation and nationality. That gives me chest pain.
AB 961
Today hearing on AB 961 as Turkish group we are unfairly treated. Chairmen of the B&P committee were extremely unjust and prejudiced against us. I discussed AB 961 with B&P bill analysis twice in person and many times on the phone. She was supposed to state our views in the bill evaluation. Instead, she only stated our names as oppositions, not a word of our view on the bill AB 961.
At the hearing, chair women intentionally created stressful environments for us. It was very upsetting for me. If I was alone at the hearing I wouldn’t let her get away from it. I would strike back. Because of the group of Turkish people was going to testify, I did not want to create a chaotic atmosphere for our group. I can not and will not stay silent against this unjust treatment and prejudiced action against us. I am going to write a letter to B&P chairman, bill evaluators and cc it members of the committee to let hem know about my feelings. This letter will present only my opinions on the hearing process. Because people in our group might not agree with my approach, if anyone would like to share his or her opinion on this issue, I urge them to write to B&P chairman.
A good thing about AB 961 is it helped us to unite. I am extremely happy to see all of these Turkish people who came to the hearing. (See attached picture) I would like to thank Ergun bey and other community and business leaders from this fantastic group. I would like to thank Attorney Bruce for his excellent and passionate presentation on the committee hearing. If we were at the court, we would have won the case. But California legislature works and decision making is political. The next hearing on AB 961 might be next Tuesday April 28th, on Judiciary committee.
SB 234
SB 234, as amended, Wyland. Curriculum: oral histories: genocide.
On 29th of April we will have the hearing for SB 234 in senate Education committee. We must challenge this bill.
We need to write letters to Senate education Chairman and committee members. You can get all the information abut the Senate Education Committee from the following link
After the Senate Education committee bill, if it passes, it will go to the Senate floor for vote. Therefore, we need to write letters to every senator individually and give them a brief explanation and ask them to vote NO on SB 234. You can reach senators from the following link
AJR 14
AJR 14 is introduced by Krekorian. “Armenian Genocide Day of Remembrance”. Yesterday 27th March had hearing on AJR 14 in Assembly rules committee. I would say that we had a small but significant victory.
CA legislative, for the first time, had two assembly members who did not support the bill. “Armenian Genocide resolution” used to pass unanimously every year. Assembly members who voted yes on AJR 14 raised serious concerns abut the resolution. I would like to thank Metin Mangir and Savas Tumer. They came with me in the Rules committee hearing and supported me. They calmed me down after the hearing because I was very upset with my representative, who voted against me. I am going to write her a letter to express my disappointment. Remember the Liberty Song -By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall!-
Respectfully yours,
Karahan Mete