Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership on this and so many other important issues. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1631, a resolution calling for the protection of religious sites and artifacts in Turkish- occupied areas of northern Cyprus. I joined my Hellenic Caucus cochair and good friend and colleague, Representative Gus Bilirakis, in introducing this important resolution before us today. And I would like to particularly thank Chairman Berman for his work in bringing this resolution to the floor today for a vote. I am honored to represent Astoria, Queens, one of the largest and most vibrant communities of Greek and Cypriot Americans in this country. This year we marked the 36th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and continuing illegal occupation of the northern part of the Republic of Cyprus. Since the 1974 invasion, many priceless symbols of Cyprus' religious and cultural heritage have been destroyed, looted, or vandalized, and even stolen, or illegally shipped for sale abroad. Very disturbing is the way the churches have been razed, converted into barns, into barracks, into beer halls with total disrespect to their religious importance. To date, Turkey has repeatedly ignored all U.N. resolutions pertaining to Cyprus and has continued to occupy the island in complete violation of international law.…”