Press Release

ALEC Leaders Observe November 7 as Victims of Communism Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Dan Reynolds
dreynolds@alec.org

ALEC Leaders Observe November 7 as Victims of Communism Day

ARLINGTON, VA – (Nov. 7, 2019) Leaders from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) recognize today as the annual Victims of Communism Day and remember those who have fallen victim to communist regimes. ALEC legislators developed model policy, which can be viewed here, to declare Nov. 7 as the Victims of Communism Day and to redouble our efforts to educate Americans about communism’s current and past horrors.

Quotes from ALEC leaders:

“Given the increasing popularity of socialism in America – especially among young people – designating a day to honor the victims of communist governments is not only the right thing to do but also good policy.”

          Representative Kay Christofferson, Utah House of Representatives, District 56

“For almost 100 years the world has seen the so-called rewards of Communism.

It brought about dictatorships, famine and tens of millions dead in prison camps.  We must never forget that the hammer and sickle emblem of Communism stands next to the Nazi swastika as a symbol of fear and oppression.”

          Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, Alabama House of Representatives, District 25

“Communist dictators have caused tremendous carnage and death throughout modern history. It was my honor to sponsor a resolution in the Arkansas Legislative Council recently to declare Nov. 7 Victims of Communism Memorial Day.  I sincerely hope even more governmental bodies will adopt resolutions to condemn communism and the repression of natural rights wherever it is occurring in our world today. Reports have been made this year that the Chinese communist regime continues to repress freedom and liberty. They have destroyed many Christian churches and detained people for practicing their religion. It is important that every generation know and understand the danger of radical socialist and communist ideals.”

          Senator Jason Rapert, Arkansas Senate, District 35

“Article 1, Section 1 of the Pennsylvania Constitution makes it abundantly clear that ‘All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty; of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation; and pursuing their own happiness.’ The central theme of Communism denies every one of those rights first listed in our Constitution.  If you are thankful for your freedoms as an American citizen, you simply cannot embrace communism.”

          Representative Cris Dush, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 66

More from ALEC leaders:

  • Pennsylvania Representative Dush, who chairs the ALEC National Security Subcommittee, sponsored legislation declaring Nov. 7 as Victims of Communism Memorial Day in Pennsylvania
  • Representative Dush discussed his support for a Victims of Communism Day on the ALEC podcast, Across the States, hosted by Dan Reynolds and featuring Karla Jones, ALEC Director of the Federalism and International Relations Task Force
  • West Virginia Senator Patricia Rucker, who is originally from Venezuela, is also featured on Across the States, where she discusses her firsthand perspective
  • Also, Senator Rucker was recently featured in the Washington Times with her piece titled “Young People Misunderstand Socialism and its Effects.”

ALEC leaders are proud to bring attention to the struggle for liberty and democracy of people who lived and are currently living under communism. The world must never forget the evils perpetrated in the name of this corrupt political system whose tenets are antithetical to the values upon which the United States of America was founded.

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The American Legislative Exchange Council is the largest nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators in the United States. The Council is governed by state legislators who comprise the Board of Directors and is advised by the Private Enterprise Advisory Council, a group of private, foundation and think tank members. For more information about the American Legislative Exchange Council, please visit: www.alec.org.


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