Rep. Juan Vargas Statement on Synagogue Shooting in Poway
SAN DIEGO, CA (April 27, 2019) – Rep. Juan Vargas released the following statement regarding the tragic shooting at Congregation Chabad in Poway, California:
“Today, as our Jewish brothers and sisters around the world celebrate the end of Passover, senseless tragedy has struck our community. I am sickened to learn of the shooting at Congregation Chabad of Poway. My prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire Poway community.
“Sadly, this shooting comes one month following the attack on a mosque in New Zealand that killed 50 people and less than one week after a series of explosions in Sri Lanka that targeted churches and hotels on Easter Sunday killing 253 people. Additionally, this incident comes six months to the day after the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh where 11 people were killed in what the Anti-Defamation League said was the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history.
“Our houses of worship are sacred, and no person should fear for their life while inside them. We all deserve the right to worship in peace and safety.”
Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire U.S.-Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his fourth term in Congress. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee.
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