[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 116 (Wednesday, July 23, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1207-E1208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TURKISH INVASION AND OCCUPATION 
                               OF CYPRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL G. GRIMM

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2014

  Mr. GRIMM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate and recognize the 
40th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus on 
July 20th, 1974. As a proud representative of countless Greek and 
Cypriot American families in Brooklyn and Staten Island who have 
contributed immeasurably to New York's vibrant culture and economy, I 
have come to know the lasting impact that this heartbreaking saga of 
military occupation, forced eviction, seized property, and desecration 
of sacred religious sites has had on this wonderful community. As such, 
I am honored to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as a 
member of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Affairs, and to lend my 
unwavering support to Cyprus in its struggle for justice and 
restitution for these ongoing offenses.

[[Page E1208]]

   It is with a heavy heart that I have listened to my constituents 
retell the tragic account of how family, friends, and sometimes they 
themselves were driven from their homeland and still yearn for peace 
and resolution after almost half a century of unjustified occupation. 
The Cypriot people's desire is for the same inalienable right to 
national sovereignty that the United States has championed at home and 
abroad. Recognizing this inescapable truth, I have been proud to 
cosponsor legislation urging Turkey to return confiscated churches and 
property, affirming our nation's commitment to the reunification of 
Cyprus, and strengthening our bilateral relationship with Greece. I 
call on all of my colleagues to support these efforts on behalf of our 
trusted ally as they work to overcome the political, cultural, and 
economic challenges wrought by four decades of illegal occupation.
   Furthermore, the assault on Greek Orthodox culture and religious 
heritage is unfortunately not limited to Cyprus' struggle, as recent 
efforts by Islamist forces to convert the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul--one 
of the most sacred Greek Orthodox basilicas--into a mosque, make all 
too clear. Mr. Speaker, any efforts to stifle and diminish Orthodox 
Christian heritage in the region is the type of tyranny and intolerance 
that must be denounced by all free people across the globe.
   I conclude Mr. Speaker, that if the United States is to truly honor 
its reputation as the world's brightest beacon of freedom and 
democracy, then our support for Cyprus must be clear and unwavering. I 
hope that on this somber occasion, we may unite in solidarity with our 
Cypriot allies, reassure them of our nation's ardent support, and look 
forward to replacing an annual observation of continued occupation with 
a joyous celebration of a re-unified Cyprus.

                          ____________________