[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 162 (Tuesday, November 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 WELCOMING HIS ALL HOLINESS BARTHOLOMEW, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE, 
                     NEW ROME, ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. DINA TITUS

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 27, 2009

  Ms. TITUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.Res. 838. I am 
proud to be a cosponsor of this important resolution which welcomes His 
Holiness Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, to the 
United States of America.
  His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has been a tireless 
advocate for religious freedom, Muslim-Christian dialogue, and 
international environmental protection. He has been internationally 
recognized for his work to improve our worldwide community in many 
ways.
  His work in the Muslim world advocating for religious understanding 
and tolerance and his efforts with victims of soviet oppression have 
earned him the title of ``Patriarch of Peace.'' In 2008, His Holiness 
was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time 
Magazine.
  Madam Speaker, while I am pleased that the House of Representatives 
is expressing our strong support for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew 
and his leadership on many important issues, it is equally as important 
that I address the fact that the Patriarchate itself operates under 
numerous unfair restrictions imposed by the Turkish Government, where 
the Patriarchate is located. Unfortunately, the Patriarchate's property 
rights, its ability to open religious schools, and other issues of 
religious freedom must be properly addressed by the Turkish Government. 
I hope that the United States and the world community will work with 
the Government of Turkey to end this terrible crime of inhibiting 
religious freedoms.
  I am pleased to welcome His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew 
to the United States and I look forward to joining with our country's 
leaders to formally welcome His Holiness to Washington. I look forward 
to learning from him and working with the Greek Orthodox Community in 
the United States to bring full religious freedom to the Patriarchate. 
His Holiness has been instrumental in bringing light to those who have 
lived in darkness and helping those who need it most. We all benefit 
from his teachings.
  I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

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