Ramirez, Underwood, Durbin, Duckworth Joint Statement on Life Anniversary of Wadee Alfayoumi

Chicago, IL-Today, on what would have been Wadee Alfayoumi's 8th birthday, Congresswomen Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) and Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and US Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement honoring the memory of Wadee, a six-year-old Palestinian American Muslim boy murdered in Illinois in October 2023 in a hate crime:

"Today, we join the family, loved ones, and the world in honoring the life of Wadee Alfayoumi-a joyful child whose life was cut short by hate and bigotry. Wadee, and all children of refugees and immigrants in our nation, deserved to live in a country that honors its promise of safety and opportunity for the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses yearning to breathe free.

As we honor Wadee's life - both his light and his promise - we recognize that the violence that stole him from his community continues to put many children in danger. From Gaza to Chicago, dehumanizing rhetoric towards immigrants and refugees and Palestinian, Muslim, and Jewish communities continues to reject our shared humanity and threaten our shared safety.

In these times, we must choose light over darkness. That's why we are proud to be working once more in coalition to reintroduce the Wadee Resolution-to honor the memory of Wadee, condemn hate speech, and affirm our shared humanity.

Today, as we remember Wadee, may we recommit to building a world where all children-no matter where they're from-can live in peace, free from fear and violence. Wadee's memory will live on."