[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9907-S9908]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT TO AWARD A GOLD MEDAL

  Mr. FAIRCLOTH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 2248 which was received 
from the House.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The bill clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 2248) 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.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the bill?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to urge my colleagues to 
support

[[Page S9908]]

swift passage of H.R. 2248. This bill is identical to the bill that I 
introduced along with Senator Sarbanes as original cosponsor. Both 
bills authorize the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to His 
All Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, leader of the 
Orthodox Christian Church.
  It is fitting that we recognize the tremendous leadership this 
religious figure provides to nearly 300 million people worldwide during 
his upcoming visit to our country.
  While many consider countries such as Russia and Greece to be 
Orthodox Christian strongholds, the fact is that nearly 5 million 
United States citizens of Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, and Serbian 
descent are Orthodox Christians. The contributions of these Americans 
to our rich history and culture exemplify the values, ideals, and 
dreams of this great Nation.
  The Patriarch Bartholomew has followed a calling in his life--to 
selflessly serve not only people of Greek origin, but millions of 
believers from all over the world, through his strong faith.
  Patriarch Bartholomew was enthroned as the 270th spiritual leader of 
the Orthodox Christians in 1991. This new title came with enormous 
responsibilities and burdens. But, the Patriarch Bartholomew was 
prepared to meet the task. Not only has he fulfilled the demanding role 
as preeminent leader of Orthodox Christians, he has dedicated himself 
and used his station to promote worthy, noble causes.
  Mr. President, in the name 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 other faiths.
  He has also sought to strengthen the bonds between Judaism and 
Orthodox Christianity. In 1994, the Patriarch 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.
  And Patriarch Bartholomew's compassion is far-reaching. In the war-
torn countries of the Balkans, he has helped to advance reconciliation 
among Catholic, Muslim, and Orthodox communities.
  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 human rights of victims of aggression.
  Mr. President, Patriarch Bartholomew, also referred to as the ``Green 
Patriarch'' has a sincere commitment to 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.
  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 my belief that Congress should honor 
the work of this great leader in recognition of his outstanding and 
enduring contributions to religious freedom, tolerance, world peace, 
environmental protection, and human rights.
  In closing, Mr. President, I call upon my colleagues to support 
bestowing the Congressional Gold Medal upon a visionary for our times, 
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. I would also like to take the 
opportunity to extend thanks to my 48 colleagues in the Senate who have 
lent their bipartisan support to this effort.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I am pleased to join Senator D'Amato, 
chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
Affairs, in urging immediate passage of H.R. 2248.
  Patriarch Bartholomew will be visiting the United States from October 
19 through November 17, 1997. This bill awards 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 recognize Patriarch Bartholomew's outstanding 
contributions to world peace and understanding during his tenure as 
head of this ancient branch of Christianity and to honor Patriarch 
Bartholomew's first visit to the United States as Patriarch. 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 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 month 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.
  Mr. FAIRCLOTH. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered 
read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed at the 
appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 2248) was passed.

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