On the recordOctober 29, 2019
I again rise with appreciation for the chairman of this committee and the ranking member of this committee and echo the importance of this bipartisan resolution. I would like us to go down memory lane, for those of us who have had the privilege of being here, including Mr. Engel. We are reminded of a secular Turkey, a Turkey where all were welcomed. We remember visiting some of the beautiful and wonderful treasures of Turkey, as we met with government officials and heard them reinforce their commitment to democracy, to the idea of freedom of religion, and that is appropriate for a 70-year member of NATO. We are very grateful for their commitment to NATO. There are many who continue to advocate for Turkey's presence in NATO so that NATO could be comprehensive and unique. But we find ourselves now in the grips of a single-minded individual who does not see the beauty of democracy, does not see the beauty of diversity and the welcoming of those from many places to Turkey, or the orderly process and the strong role they can play in the Mideast. Yet, on a midnight call or a late-night call on a Sunday night, speaking to this administration, the Turkish President didn't consult or maybe offer options. What we have gleaned from the media is that they said: We are coming into Syria. In the midst of them coming into Syria, they created a humanitarian crisis with fleeing women and children, destroying homes, taking people away from their homeland, and just doing havoc.…
