Home Antioch Gary Agopian: “I Am Not Stepping Down, I Am Not Giving Up!”

Gary Agopian: “I Am Not Stepping Down, I Am Not Giving Up!”

by ECT

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The following speech was transcribed to share with our readers this evening of a very moving speech given by Antioch Councilman Gary Agopian during the Antioch City Council meeting. For those of you unaware, it was announced last week that he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain cancer.  The speech was of passion and very moving and we encourage you to view the 3:35 minute speech when the video when it is put on the web in the next 24-hours as the councilman vows to continue serving the people of Antioch and will not be stepping down.

Here is his speech:

Many of you know that I have a brain tumor that was recently diagnosed. That is not good news in that regard, but there is great news in my life and the news is that he (God) has given me a gift, the gift of life that I never thought I would have and a gift I can share with you in ways in the next days I never thought I would have.

So I am embracing it and embracing what I have and what I have to go through and how I can be the man god wants me to be at this time. Some people will maybe try to give a take about what I am going through and that is okay we are all going to deal with it differently. I understand that.

It’s just important to know that I am committed to this community.  I am not stepping down, I am not giving up. I am not giving up on my life. I am not giving up on Antioch. I am going to do whatever I can to be the man that I should be for this city as long as I can and I am going to fight.

I am glad that you are hear tonight, my friends are here, you are all my friends, together we can do great things, we should do great things. And to my colleagues, I want you to know how much I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart. I’ve enjoyed serving you I know you love me, I love you. Those might be funny words to say up here at the Dias but I know it and our hearts are right of what we want to do for Antioch together and it’s an honor to serve with you.

If we keep our heads on straight in the future, we do what is right for this city. We can leave a legacy that we can be proud of, one that can be honored; we would have done our job and cannot ask for more so that is what I am purposing to do and I just want to keep it short.

I have a biopsy on Thursday and we are going to know exactly what I have then they will start some treatment. You should know, this is not an easy one, its inoperable and treatment is really more for life duration. There really isn’t a cure.

But I am committed to doing everything I can to be the man that god wants me to be, my wife wants me to be, my family, and this community. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will try not to have this kind of speech every meeting, but I thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this with you.

He received a round of applause and a standing ovation.

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6 comments

Barbara Cowan Sep 24, 2013 - 8:11 pm

God bless you Gary. Thank you for all you have done for Antioch. Your fight and ours will continue.

JimSimmons42 Sep 24, 2013 - 8:14 pm

Stay strong Gary. Praying for you!

Martha Sep 24, 2013 - 8:23 pm

Gary, our thoughts and prayers are with you, Robin and your entire family as you fight this disease! Your faith has strengthened you…I believe God has so much more for you to do and you will conquer this through Him!

ECVsBrother Sep 24, 2013 - 9:16 pm

Gary, You are an inspiration to us. I wish you the strength to beat this. We need you.
A supporter and friend.

Judy Trapanese Sep 24, 2013 - 11:21 pm

TAKE SPECIAL CARE. GOD BLESS AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR RELAY FOR LIFE. YOU ARE A DEAR MAN AND WILL PRAY FOR YOU DAILY.

Kenji Freitas Sep 25, 2013 - 9:55 am

God bless you Gary, our prayers are with you.

Comments are closed.