[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 106 (Thursday, July 24, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8091-S8092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. D'AMATO (for himself and Mr. Sarbanes):
  S. 1062. A bill to authorize the President to award a gold medal on 
behalf of the Congress to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in 
recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions toward 
religious understanding and peace, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.


     CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL FOR ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW

  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, today I join my friend and colleague from 
the Banking Committee, Senator Sarbanes, to offer a bill that would 
authorize a congressional gold medal in recognition of the tremendous 
leadership role--in interfaith relations, international affairs, the 
promotion of global environmental protection, and the defense of human 
rights worldwide--of his all holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew 
of Constantinople.
  In addition, we are submitting a concurrent resolution providing for 
the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony honoring Patriarch 
Bartholomew on his visit to the United States in late October of this 
year.
  The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is the 270th successor of the 
nearly 2,000 year old Orthodox Christian Church founded in 36 A.D.
  As the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christian Church, Patriarch 
Bartholomew is the voice for nearly 300 million followers around the 
world--5 million of which live in the United States and are of Greek, 
Russian, Ukrainian, and Serbian descent. The contributions of these 
Americans to our history and culture exemplify the values, ideals, and 
dreams of this great Nation.
  A champion of religious unity and cooperation, Patriarch Bartholomew 
is working to promote interfaith dialog between the Orthodox Church and 
the Roman Catholic Church, leading Protestant denominations, Muslim 
leaders, and various faiths of America's multiethnic diversity.
  Patriarch Bartholomew has also sought to strengthen the bonds between 
Judaism and Orthodox Christianity. In 1994, he worked side by side with 
Rabbi David Schneier and the Appeal of Conscience Foundation to 
cosponsor the Peace and Tolerance Conference, bringing together 
Christians, Jews, and Muslims for human and religious freedom.
  As a citizen of Turkey, Patriarch Bartholomew is deeply concerned 
about the need to sustain the cause of peace. He has been a dynamic 
leader in efforts to ease Greek-Turkish tensions and to promote 
international cooperation, adherence to international law, and respect 
for the human rights of victims of aggression.
  The impact of Patriarch Bartholomew's compassion is far-reaching. In 
the war-torn countries of the Balkans,

[[Page S8092]]

Patriarch Bartholomew has helped to advance reconciliation among 
Catholic, Muslim, and Orthodox communities.
  Mr. President, Patriarch Bartholomew also cares very deeply for the 
environmental legacy we will one day leave to our children. Together 
with global leaders, he convened an international environmental 
symposium emphasizing the health and well-being of the world's oceans. 
The Patriarch is also a cosponsor of an annual conference addressing 
the protection of our global environment.
  Born in Turkey in 1940, Patriarch Bartholomew has selflessly 
dedicated his life to religious service. He is a graduate of the 
renowned Theological School of Halki, which was forced to close by the 
Turkish Government in 1971. This school must re-open as a basic matter 
of religious freedom.
  Patriarch Bartholomew has also received numerous honorary doctorates 
and academic honors from institutes and universities all across the 
globe.
  Mr. President, in October of this year, Patriarch Bartholomew will 
visit the United States to offer his spiritual message of unity, 
compassion, and brotherhood. It is our belief that Congress honor the 
work of this great leader in recognition of his outstanding and 
enduring contributions to: the freedom of the world's religions, world 
peace, conflict resolution and the rule of law, global environmental 
protection, the betterment of humankind, and the protection of dignity 
and human rights of every man, woman, and child.
  Therefore, Mr. President, it is fitting and appropriate that this 
body bestow the congressional gold medal upon a visionary for our 
times, his all holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1062

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds that--
       (1) Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew--
       (A) is the spiritual leader of nearly 300 million Orthodox 
     Christians around the world and millions of Orthodox 
     Christians in America; and
       (B) is recognized in the United States and abroad as a 
     leader in the quest for world peace, respect for the earth's 
     environment, and greater religious understanding;
       the extraordinary efforts of Ecumenical Patriarch 
     Bartholomew continue to bring people of all faiths closer 
     together in America and around the world;
       (3) the courageous leadership of Ecumenical Patriarch 
     Bartholomew for peace in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, the 
     Middle East, the Eastern Mediterranean, and elsewhere 
     inspires and encourages people of all faiths toward his dream 
     of world peace in the new millennium; and
       (4) the outstanding accomplishments of Ecumenical Patriarch 
     Bartholomew have been formally recognized and honored by 
     numerous governmental academic, and other institutions around 
     the world.

     SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

       (a) Presentation Authorized.--The President is authorized 
     to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal of 
     appropriate design to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. in 
     recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions 
     to religious understanding and peace.
       (b) Design and Striking.--For the purpose of the 
     presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of 
     the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the 
     ``Secretary'') shall strike a gold medal with suitable 
     emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the 
     Secretary.

     SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of 
     the gold medal struck pursuant to section 2 under such 
     regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, and at a price 
     sufficient to cover the costs thereof, including labor, 
     materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, and the 
     cost of the gold medal.

     SEC. 4. NATIONAL MEDALS.

       The medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals 
     for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is hereby 
     authorized to be charged against the Numismatic Public 
     Enterprise Fund an amount not to exceed $30,000 to pay for 
     the cost of the medal authorized by this Act.
       (b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sales of 
     duplicate bronze medals under section 3 shall be deposited in 
     the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund.

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I am pleased to join Senator D'Amato, 
chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
Affairs, in introducing legislation awarding the congressional gold 
medal to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of 
approximately 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide. The occasion 
of this legislation is to honor Patriarch Bartholomew's first visit to 
the United States as Patriarch and to recognize his outstanding 
contributions to world peace and understanding during his tenure as 
head of this ancient branch of Christianity. As a Greek-Orthodox 
American and member of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation 
in Baltimore, I am particularly gratified to join in this tribute.
  During his American visit, which will take place from October 19 
through November 17, 1997, Patriarch Bartholomew will meet with 
thousands of Orthodox faithful and will take the opportunity to convey 
his message of reconciliation to Americans of all backgrounds and 
beliefs. His All Holiness has been a leader in ecumenical understanding 
and has convened important meetings which have brought together 
participants of all religious backgrounds. In 1994, in cooperation with 
Rabbi David Schneier and the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, he 
cosponsored a peace and tolerance Conference in Istanbul where 
Christians, Jews, and Muslims joined together to discuss important and 
pressing issues.
  As spiritual head of world Orthodoxy, Patriarch Bartholomew has been 
a leader in the quest for peace throughout the world, particularly in 
Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Middle East. He has vigorously 
spoken out against extremists and those who would use violence to 
achieve their ends and has counseled respect for all peoples, 
irrespective of their nationality and religion; his ministry has been a 
call to our best virtues.
  From his historical seat in Istanbul, Turkey, Patriarch Bartholomew 
has served as a mediator between East and West, Christians and Muslims, 
and as a force for openness and tolerance in the newly emerging 
independent countries of Eastern Europe.
  As he pursues the goal of peace, Patriarch Bartholomew is equally 
vigorous in his desire to preserve and promote the earth's environment 
as a reflection of God's creation. Working with the European 
Commission, the Worldwide Fund for Nature, and his Royal Highness 
Prince Philip, he has cosponsored significant international conferences 
on the environment, including one scheduled for this fall on the future 
ecological health of the Black Sea.
  I believe it is most fitting that the visit and the accomplishments 
of Patriarch Bartholomew should be recognized and honored by this gold 
medal as it will reflect the appreciation of the American people for 
his ministry of peace and reconciliation.
  I am also pleased to join Senator D'Amato in submitting a concurrent 
resolution providing for the use of the rotunda for a ceremony honoring 
Patriarch Bartholomew.
                                 ______