[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 29, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW I

                                 ______


                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 29, 1995
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on May 28, 1994, a provocation by Moslem 
militants in Istanbul, Turkey, took place against the Ecumenical 
Patriarch Bartholemew I, the spiritual leader of 250 million orthodox 
Christians worldwide including, 5 million residing in the United 
States. Three bombs were placed in the attic of the building where the 
patriarch lives and were found shortly before they were set to explode.
  This episode is ominous, but is only one in a series of provocations 
against the patriarchate and the orthodox Christian community in 
Turkey.
  Yesterday, I introduced legislation expressing the sense of the 
Congress that the United States should use its influence with the 
Turkish Government, and as a permanent member of the United Nations 
Security Council, to suggest that the Turkish Government ensure the 
proper protection for the patriarchate and all orthodox faithful 
residing in Turkey.
  Therefore, I urge all of my colleagues who believe in freedom of 
religion to cosponsor my legislation House Concurrent Resolution 50. 
The time has come for this Congress to speak out once and for all 
against Turkey's oppressive human rights record. Please sign on to 
House Concurrent Resolution 50, thank you.


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