[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19980-19987]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  2200
           URGING TURKEY TO SAFEGUARD ITS CHRISTIAN HERITAGE

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 306) urging the Republic of Turkey to safeguard its 
Christian heritage and to return confiscated church properties, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 306

       Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that the Secretary of State, in all official 
     contacts with Turkish leaders and other Turkish officials, 
     should emphasize that Turkey should--
       (1) end all forms of religious discrimination;
       (2) allow the rightful church and lay owners of Christian 
     church properties, without hindrance or restriction, to 
     organize and administer prayer services, religious education, 
     clerical training, appointments, and succession, religious 
     community gatherings, social services, including ministry to 
     the needs of the poor and infirm, and other religious 
     activities;
       (3) return to their rightful owners all Christian churches 
     and other places of worship, monasteries, schools, hospitals, 
     monuments, relics, holy sites, and other religious 
     properties, including movable properties, such as artwork, 
     manuscripts, vestments, vessels, and other artifacts; and
       (4) allow the rightful Christian church and lay owners of 
     Christian church properties, without hindrance or 
     restriction, to preserve, reconstruct, and repair, as they 
     see fit, all Christian churches and other places of worship, 
     monasteries, schools, hospitals, monuments, relics, holy 
     sites, and other religious properties within Turkey.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Berman) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the resolution and to 
claim time in opposition to the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Does the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Berman) favor the motion?
  Mr. BERMAN. I do.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. On that basis the gentleman from Kentucky 
will control 20 minutes in opposition.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce).
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield half of my time to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Berman) and ask unanimous consent that he may be able 
to control that time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
to include extraneous material on this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROYCE. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Let me begin by quoting Thomas Jefferson. He said, ``In our early 
struggles for liberty, religious freedom could not fail to become a 
primary object.''
  Jefferson was a very smart man, and he understood that the core 
foundation of democracy relied on individual differences and opinions 
without fear of intimidation. This concept is one that we, as 
Americans, have benefited from since our founding. Religious freedom 
has played an integral part of our continued success as a country. Very 
sadly, this is a freedom that so many countries like Turkey still 
struggle to realize.
  Today we are considering House Resolution 306, which I authored with 
Ranking Member Howard Berman, urging the Republic of Turkey to 
safeguard its Christian heritage and to return confiscated church 
properties to their rightful owners.
  Unfortunately, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom 
has had to put Turkey on its watch list for 3 straight years now. The 
commission reports that the Turkish Government's formal, longstanding 
efforts to

[[Page 19981]]

control religion by imposing suffocating regulations and by denying 
full legal status to religious institutions results in serious 
religious freedom violations. The government has failed to take 
decisive action to correct the climate of impunity against religious 
minorities and to make the necessary institutional reforms to reverse 
these conditions. Now, those are the words of the commission, itself, 
on this subject.
  Religious tolerance has long been a problem for Turkey. Turkey has 
yet to remedy the desecration of the religious properties of over 2 
million Armenians and Greeks and Assyrians and Syriacs over the last 
100 years. Until these obligations are fulfilled, religious freedom 
will remain illusive and, frankly, relations with the United States 
will suffer. Prime Minister Erdogan recently issued a decree to return 
confiscated church properties that were taken after 1936, but the 
majority of confiscated religious properties, of course, were taken 
prior to 1936.
  We are sending a signal today that Turkey should reassess the cutoff 
date, and I would suggest that outside pressure and actions like we are 
taking here today and reports like that of the religious commission 
have helped with what progress we have seen to date.
  The United States has a vested interest to advance religious freedom. 
Turkey's claims of being a secular country are not enough in dealing 
with the day-to-day discriminatory harassment that religious minorities 
face there, for actions speak louder than words. There are very few 
religious minorities in Turkey. These are men and women struggling to 
practice their faiths, and they need added protection.
  So this resolution urges Turkey to end all forms of religious 
discrimination, to allow rightful churches to organize and train and 
teach and practice religious activities without hindrance or 
restriction, and to return church properties and relics to their 
rightful owners--whether they be places of worship or monasteries or 
schools or hospitals or holy sites or other artifacts. Lastly, this 
resolution allows religious minority groups to own religious properties 
so that they can preserve and reconstruct and repair religious 
properties as they see fit.
  Religious freedom is a fundamental human right, so I urge the passage 
of House Resolution 306, which urges the Republic of Turkey to 
safeguard its Christian heritage and to return confiscated church 
properties.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I have read H. Res. 306. Certainly, there is nothing in the language 
of this resolution that very many people would oppose. It basically 
says that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the 
Secretary of State, in all official contacts with Turkish leaders and 
other Turkish officials, should emphasize that Turkey should end all 
forms of religious discrimination. It then goes on from there.
  Now, this resolution, in a way, reminds me of asking one, Do you 
still beat your children? Because whatever one answers, one is going to 
be condemned. So the mere fact that the resolution is being introduced 
would leave an objective observer with the opinion that religious 
freedom is being systematically denied in Turkey.
  Let's just look at a few of the facts. On September 13, 2011, during 
a briefing on the release of the U.S. Department of State's 
International Religious Freedom report, Secretary Clinton praised 
Turkey's recent steps in enhancing religious freedom. We've also seen 
Turkey take serious steps in improving the climate for religious 
tolerance. The Turkish Government issued a decree in August that 
invited non-Muslims to reclaim churches and synagogues that were 
confiscated 75 years ago.
  This was the language of Secretary Clinton: I applaud Prime Minister 
Erdogan's very important commitment to doing so.
  In its 13th annual Report on International Religious Freedom, the 
U.S. Department of State also underscored Turkey's recent efforts. 
During the reporting period, the government took steps to improve 
religious freedom. Notably, the government permitted religious services 
to be held annually at historic Christian sites that had been turned 
into State museums after decades of disuse.
  These positive statements have shown that Turkey has good intentions 
in pursuing religious freedom; and I might say that, last year, the 
Turkish Prime Minister issued a circular that emphasized the rights of 
all Turkish people, Muslim and non-Muslim, to enjoy their religious 
cultures and identities. Prime Minister Erdogan has urged all 
government institutions to act in accordance with this message.
  So I think it's quite clear that, while this resolution has no 
binding legal effect and while it has no authority over Turkey 
whatsoever, we can see that Turkey is taking specific steps to ensure 
religious freedom in its country and that it's doing so without any 
prodding from the U.S.
  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 306, and 
I yield 3 minutes to one who has been a leader in this effort for a 
very long time, my colleague and neighbor from California (Mr. Schiff).
  Mr. SCHIFF. I thank the gentleman from California for yielding and 
for his leadership on this important issue.
  From the spring of 1915 and continuing for the next 8 years, the 
forces of the Ottoman Empire--police and military--engaged in a 
genocide of the Armenian people living within the borders of their 
dying empire.
  When it was over, more than 1.5 million men, women, and children had 
been killed in the first genocide of the 20th century. They were 
beaten, shot, marched to their deaths through scorching deserts or 
across frigid mountains and were left where they fell. Families and 
entire communities were destroyed as the Ottomans did everything in 
their power to make a people disappear.

                              {time}  2210

  But the physical near-annihilation of the Armenian people was not 
enough to satisfy the Turks' desire to wreak vengeance on Armenia, 
which was the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity as its 
official religion in AD 301. Their campaign against the Armenians was 
broader and was aimed at destroying not only the Armenian people but 
also their history, their culture, and their faith.
  When Ottoman forces began to massacre their Armenian neighbors 95 
years ago, there were nearly 2,000 Armenian churches in what is now 
Turkey. Fewer than 100 remain standing and fully functioning today. One 
of the world's oldest Christian communities has, in significant part, 
disappeared from its ancestral homeland.
  While the Armenian genocide stands as a singular event, the 
persecution of the Armenians has continued and much of it centers on 
the Armenians' status as a Christian minority in an overwhelmingly 
Muslim country, where discriminatory laws are used to confiscate church 
property and prevent free worship. And other Christian communities, 
especially the Greek Orthodox, have also been the victims of Turkish 
intolerance.
  In northern Cyprus, which was invaded by the Turkish army in 1974, 
churches have been left to rot, cemeteries have been desecrated or 
fallen into disrepair, and priests are forbidden from accessing the 
churches they prayed in as children.
  Earlier this year, the U.S. Commission on International Religious 
Freedom noted in its 2011 report, ``The Turkish Government continues to 
impose serious limitations on freedom of religion or belief, thereby 
threatening the continued vitality and survival of minority religious 
communities in Turkey.''
  Ours is a Nation that has prized freedom of religion. For more than 
two centuries, we have stood for tolerance of other faiths. And 
American diplomats, Members of Congress, and Presidents have 
consistently pressed other governments to respect and protect their 
minorities. This resolution is in the finest tradition of advocacy for 
those whose voices have been silenced. And I am proud to be an original 
cosponsor and to join my colleagues, especially the gentlemen from 
California,

[[Page 19982]]

Mr. Royce and Mr. Berman, the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs 
Committee, a friend who has been a leader on these issues throughout 
his years of service in the House. I urge a ``yes'' vote.
  Mr. WHITFIELD. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2\1/2\ minutes.
  The Christian communities of Turkey, once populous and prosperous, 
have now for many decades been victims of discrimination. The result 
has been a drastic decline in the Christian population. Whereas well 
over 2 million Christians lived in Anatolia a century ago, today there 
are only a few thousand, less than 1 percent of Turkey's population.
  Although Christians clearly constitute no threat to the majority, the 
various Christian communities remain the victims of unceasing 
discrimination. Their churches have been desecrated, their properties 
confiscated, and they are denied the right to practice their religion 
as they see fit or to train their clergy. Through this resolution, we 
are asking that Turkey rectify this terrible situation.
  Much of the worst damage to--and confiscation of--Christian 
properties was done in the earlier decades of the Turkish Republic, but 
it continues to some extent today. Some 3 months after the introduction 
of this resolution in June, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan responded 
with a decree that would return a small percentage of the property 
confiscated from religious minorities as well as provide compensation 
for property that was seized and later sold. This is too little and too 
late. It doesn't even begin to make up for the years of loss and the 
damaging impact on the minority communities, but it does appear to be a 
step in the right direction. We will watch its implementation closely.
  Meanwhile, the Turkish Government must also address the many other 
forms of discrimination that Christians in Turkey endure. Every church 
in Turkey suffers petty harassment, at a minimum, and is forced to 
apply to central authorities for authorization to do any type of 
repairs or construction, requests that often linger for months and 
years without government action. Moreover, Turkey recognizes certain 
Christian groups as legitimate but not others. If you belong to one of 
the unauthorized groups, such as Evangelicals, you can't even build a 
church.
  This resolution calls on Turkey to make good on all past 
transgressions and allow true freedom of religion--to achieve the 
standards of democratic behavior to which it says, and to which I 
believe, it aspires. We want Turkey to allow its Christian citizens to 
worship exactly as they want and to allow them to train their clergy 
exactly as they want.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 4 minutes.
  I might say that Turkey certainly has been a valuable ally of the 
United States for many years. As we all know, it is the only Muslim 
nation in NATO. It has been a vital partner to the United States in the 
war on terror in both Iraq and in Afghanistan. And just recently, 
Turkey agreed to host a NATO radar defense system directed toward Iran. 
Turkey also is becoming an increasingly important commercial partner.
  But I wanted to also point out, about 3 years ago, without any input 
from the U.S. Congress, the Secretary of State, or anyone else in the 
Federal Government, the director of religious affairs in Turkey on his 
own initiation had one of his religious scholars of the Muslim faith 
spend a semester at Wesley Theological Seminary here in Washington, 
D.C. During that semester, there was a dialogue between members of the 
Christian faith and members of the Muslim faith. And during that time, 
there was not any finger-pointing. There was no accusing the other side 
of being mean-spirited or anything else, but it was simply an exchange 
of ideas. That was at the initiative of the directorate of religious 
affairs in Turkey.
  I might also point out that in October, the archbishop of the 
Armenian Orthodox Church re-consecrated St. Giragos, an Armenian church 
near Lake Van in Turkey. That church has recently been renovated.
  I would also say that on November 11, 2010, Turkish authorities 
returned a former orphanage on Princess Island to the Greek Orthodox 
Patriarchate following a decision by the European Court on Human 
Rights. On this occasion, the attorney representing the Patriarchate 
declared, ``This marks a first in Europe. Turkey became the first 
country to implement a decision of the ECHR by returning the property. 
This should be an example for other countries.''
  So I think it's very clear that Turkey is moving in the right 
direction. They do not need to be condemned, in my view. They are a 
vital ally of the U.S.
  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Sherman).
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to add an additional 30 seconds 
to the gentleman from California from my allotted time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California is recognized 
for 2\1/2\ minutes.
  Mr. SHERMAN. Thank you.
  The adoption of H. Res. 306 would add the powerful voice of the 
United States Congress to the defense of religious freedom for 
Christians in present-day Turkey and reinforce the traditional 
leadership of Congress in defending freedom of faith around the world.
  I want to identify myself with the comments of the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Schiff) on putting this resolution in context by noting 
the Armenian genocide and how that sets the stage for everything we're 
talking about here.

                              {time}  2220

  H. Res. 306 is urgently needed to address the destruction of 
Christian religious heritage as a result of the Turkish Government's 
theft, desecration and disregard of ancient Christian sites and 
churches, many of them holding great significance to Christian 
heritage.
  The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom 
raises the following alarm in its 2001 report: ``The Turkish Government 
continues to impose serious limitations on freedom of religion or 
belief, thereby threatening the continued vitality and survival of 
minority religious communities in Turkey.''
  Churches in Turkey have been desecrated. The adoption of H. Res. 306 
would support the Christian communities within Turkey that remain 
vulnerable and are forced to endure restrictions on their right to 
practice their faith in freedom. For example, and this is just one 
example, of the over 2,000 Armenian churches that existed in the early 
1900s, less than 100 remain standing and fully functioning today.
  This resolution is supported by the co-chairs of the Armenian, 
Hellenic, and Human Rights Caucuses. The U.S. Commission on 
International Religious Freedom has for 3 years straight placed Turkey 
on its watch list.
  In 2009, Bartholomew I, the Ecumenical Christian Orthodox Patriarch 
of Constantinople, appeared on CBS's ``60 Minutes'' and reported that 
Turkey's Christians were second-class citizens and that he personally 
felt ``crucified'' by a state that wanted his church to die out.
  Church property is routinely confiscated through discriminatory laws. 
The United States Commission on Religious Freedom reported that over 
the previous 5 decades, the Turkish state has, using convoluted 
regulations and undemocratic laws, confiscated hundreds of religious 
minority properties, primarily those belonging to the Greek Orthodox 
community, as well as the Armenian Orthodox, Catholics, and Jews.
  It is time to add the voice of the American Congress in an effort to 
make sure that Turkey meets its international responsibilities.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time to close.
  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.

[[Page 19983]]

  I may make one other comment about Turkey. We all know that with the 
Arab Spring and the movement toward more free governments in the Middle 
East, that Prime Minister Erdogan has been one of the real leaders. He 
has spoken up against Syria. He has spoken up against Egypt. He has 
spoken against Tunisia and other countries and has been a real leader 
in trying to bring about a measure of freedom in that area.
  I might also say that the time period that has been discussed 
earlier, about the early 1900s, of course during World War I when a lot 
of these things took place, the Ottoman Empire was fighting for its 
existence at that time. There were a lot of atrocities that took place 
on both sides.
  But as I said, this resolution, there is certainly not anything in 
this resolution for anyone to oppose; but I think we should recognize 
that Turkey is making great strides, that they are returning 
properties, that they are taking a step, as has been pointed out by 
Secretary of State Clinton and by the religious watch organizations and 
others.
  Mr. Berman had requested that I yield some time, and I would be happy 
to yield time.
  Mr. BERMAN. I would be very grateful if the gentleman would yield 2 
minutes to my friend from New York, a distinguished member of the 
Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Engel.
  Mr. WHITFIELD. I would be happy to yield.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York is recognized 
for 2 minutes
  Mr. ENGEL. I thank the gentleman from California and also the 
gentleman from Kentucky for yielding to me.
  I rise in support of the resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I have become increasingly concerned with the direction 
of Turkey in the past few years. It has elected an Islamist government 
which has pushed the country toward Iran and into conflict with Israel. 
While I am relieved that Ankara is now taking a strong stand against 
the repression in Syria, finally, much needs to change in Turkey. In 
particular, Turkey, which has such a profound connection with the birth 
and growth of Christianity, has today expropriated church properties, 
harassed worshipers, and refused to grant full legal status to some 
Christian groups.
  In fact, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom 
placed Turkey on its watch list for the third straight year, and 
concluded that ``the Turkish Government continues to impose serious 
limitations on freedom of religion or belief, thereby threatening the 
continued vitality and survival of religious communities in Turkey.''
  I, therefore, rise in strong support of H. Res. 306, which urges 
Turkey to return stolen Christian churches to the Armenian, Greek, 
Assyrian and Syriac communities and to end discrimination against 
surviving Christians.
  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BERMAN. I am pleased to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), the cochair of the Armenian Caucus.
  Mr. PALLONE. Thank you, Mr. Berman.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in support of H. Res. 306, urging the 
Republic of Turkey to safeguard its Christian heritage and to return 
confiscated church properties. As an original cosponsor of this 
resolution, I believe that its adoption is critically important to 
showing that the U.S. Congress will not remain silent while countries 
such as Turkey violate basic religious freedoms.
  This resolution is needed because the sad reality is that minority 
religious communities in Turkey daily face oppressive policies 
propagated by the Turkish Government. The U.S. Commission on 
International Religious Freedom has found that the ``Turkish 
Government's formal, long-standing efforts to control religion by 
imposing suffocating regulations and by denying full legal status to 
religious institutions results in serious religious freedom 
violations.'' The commission has recommended that the U.S. urge Turkey 
to comply with its international commitments regarding freedom of 
religion or belief, and that is exactly what this resolution does.
  Now, many within Turkey today and many more have fled religious 
persecution over the past century, knowing the frightening consequences 
that religious persecution has had on Christians and their churches. 
Each year the Armenian Issues Caucus, which I cochair, gathers to 
commemorate the Armenian genocide. Over a million Armenians were killed 
in the genocide over 90 years ago, but Armenians in Turkey and their 
churches and landmarks and cemeteries continue to be targets for 
Turkish persecution.
  I wanted to mention to my colleague, and I respect my colleague from 
Kentucky a great deal, but the fact of the matter is that Turkey has 
never admitted that the genocide has occurred. You mentioned that 
during World War I there were problems on both sides. But the fact of 
the matter is that over 1 million Armenians were massacred and their 
churches and everything continue to be targets today.
  The resolution further calls on Turkey to stop its oppressive 
policies towards the education of Greek priests and its overt attempts 
to pressure the Ecumenical Patriarchate to leave his home country. Can 
you imagine, they're asking the Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church 
to leave Turkey where he and the Patriarchate have been for, I don't 
know, 2,000 years.
  So I really believe if you believe we should have freedom to practice 
your religion without interference of oppressive governments, then you 
should vote ``yes'' on this resolution. The fact of the matter is that 
Turkey continues to do all of these things. The suggestion I know my 
colleague from Kentucky has made that somehow they're doing a better 
job, I mean, it is just very token and there are just as many instances 
where they continue the oppression compared to those few where maybe 
they've tried.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman is recognized for 1\1/2\ 
minutes.
  Mr. BERMAN. We want Turkey to follow through on its commitment to 
return confiscated property of Christian communities and to provide 
compensation for properties that can't be recovered. We want Christian 
communities in Turkey to enjoy the same rights and privileges that 
religious minorities enjoy in this country.

                              {time}  2230

  We want Turkey to acknowledge the Armenian genocide. This is not too 
much to ask. In fact, that is the minimum we must ask if Turkey is ever 
to join the ranks of the world's fully free nations.
  I commend my good friend and colleague, Mr. Royce, for introducing 
this resolution and working with me closely on this critical issue, and 
I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I might also say that in order to ensure the future viability of the 
Orthodox Church, the appointment of non-Turkish citizen metropolitans 
to the Patriarchate's Holy Synod have been explicitly permitted in 
Turkey since 2004. Furthermore, in 2010, Turkey offered citizenship to 
metropolitans of foreign nationality who chose to apply. Additionally, 
issues regarding the residence permits of foreign clergy have been 
resolved.
  I might also point out that I had mentioned earlier that the 
directorate of religious affairs in Turkey had made available one of 
the religious scholars in Turkey to conduct a seminar at Wesley 
Theological Seminary. I would also mention to the body that the South 
Korean Methodist Church has been evangelizing in parts of Turkey, and 
they have a church in Antakya, which is one of the early Christian 
church sites that is located in Turkey, one of many, and they have been 
practicing their religion in Antakya.
  And so I would say that I don't want people to leave here with the 
impression that Turkey is deliberately out there trying to deny 
religious freedom, because that simply is not the case.

[[Page 19984]]

Now, maybe they have a way to go; but as I've said, there is certainly 
nothing in this resolution that refers to anything about a genocide. 
This is simply talking about religious freedom. And I wanted to simply 
point out the steps that Turkey has been taking and continues to take.
  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. In closing, Mr. Speaker, religious freedom is a foundation 
necessary, I believe, for any democracy. It's a freedom we here in 
America can enjoy, and, frankly, it is embedded so deeply in our 
culture that many of us tend to take these freedoms for granted. But, 
unfortunately, this same scenario does not exist around this globe, and 
I just have to tell you, Turkey has been identified on the religious 
freedom watch list for 3 straight years. I wish that weren't the case, 
but it is.
  Frankly, I believe that what progress has come comes at least in 
part--in part--due to this type of pressure from religious freedom 
reports or from resolutions. The U.S. Commission on International 
Religious Freedom allows us to gather nonpartisan information on 
countries that violate these fundamental human rights. And it's my 
understanding that in 2008 the Government of Turkey claimed they would 
return confiscated properties, but out of 1,400 claims, less than 100 
were approved.
  Now, we have close relations with Turkey. We have common interests. 
And this is a friendly urging that it do more on this important issue 
and, frankly, one that Turkey itself has committed to improving on. 
But, that said, with some of the statements made here today, I have to 
comment on an issue of which I have some personal knowledge, or memory.
  When I was a young boy, I remember very well an Armenian in our 
community, a very elderly Armenian, who was the sole Armenian in his 
village to survive the Armenian genocide. And the reason he survived 
was because one of his neighbors hid him. And he told me the story of 
the atrocities that occurred there.
  Now, for our Ambassador, Henry Morgenthau, who detailed what was 
going on while he was Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, this was not 
something that happened in theory. It was a genocide that cost a 
million and a half human lives. And the fact that even today Turkey 
does not acknowledge the existence of that Armenian genocide in the 
Ottoman Empire, I think, should still give us pause. When we're dealing 
with the remnants of the population of what was once a sizeable 
percentage of the population of that area, when we're dealing with a 
question of what remains, 1 percent Greek and Armenian heritage and 
ethnicity that remains in Turkey today, I think it is only proper that 
when we have this kind of report that comes back to us from the U.S. 
Commission on International Religious Freedom, and it details the fact 
that for 3 years running, rather than make progress, we have seen 
backsliding, I think it is time for this body to take the position and 
send the message: Return that confiscated property to its rightful 
owners; allow that small minority that remains, that wants to practice 
their faith, allow them to practice their faith and allow them to 
continue in their schools so that the next generation that wishes to 
follow in that tradition can do so. That's the request here.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WHITFIELD. In conclusion, I would just say and reiterate once 
again that, in the 13th Annual Report on International Religious 
Freedom, the U.S. Department of State also underscored Turkey's recent 
efforts during the reporting period, the government took steps, 
important steps, to improve religious freedom. These positive 
statements have replaced the status of no change in the situation 
regarding the religious freedom in Turkey.
  With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, as a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on 
Turkey and Turkish Americans, I rise to question the necessity for 
consideration of H. Res. 306, urging the Republic of Turkey to 
safeguard its Christian heritage and to return confiscated church 
properties, especially in light of recent developments undertaken by 
the Turkish government. The current government of Turkey has taken 
steps to deal with the issue of religious properties.
  By amending its Law on Foundations in August 2011, Turkey's statute 
has been improved and expanded, providing that the ``immovable 
properties, cemeteries and fountains'' of non-Muslim religious 
entities--referred to as community foundations in Turkey--recorded in 
Turkey's 1936 Declaration, and ``registered in the name of Turkish 
public institutions,'' will be returned to the entities upon request. 
Additionally, provisions are made for the Turkish Treasury or the 
Directorate General of Foundations to compensate non-Muslim entities 
for properties that are currently registered in the name of third 
parties. Accordingly, those communities for whom the law is applicable 
will be able to have their properties registered in their own names, or 
be compensated.
  In addition to this great step forward, Turkey has eased its 
citizenship requirements for Orthodox senior clergy, and in compliance 
with the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights, returned to 
the Ecumenical Patriarchate its orphanage on the Princes' Islands.
  Praising the Turkish government on September 13, 2011, Secretary of 
State Hillary Rodham Clinton said, ``We have also seen Turkey take 
serious steps to improve the climate for religious tolerance. The 
Turkish government issued a decree in August that invited non-Muslims 
to reclaim churches and synagogues that were confiscated 75 years ago. 
I applaud Prime Minister Erdogan's very important commitment in doing 
so.''
  H. Res 306 was first introduced on June 15, 2011, and does not 
recognize the developments on the ground since that time, nor does it 
take a regional approach to these questions. If Turkey is singled out, 
it should be for praise regarding progress that has been made.
  Mr. GRIMM. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Congressman Royce for introducing 
H. Res. 306, Urging the Republic of Turkey to Safeguard its Christian 
Heritage and to Return Confiscated Church Properties, and thank him for 
his leadership in ensuring this important legislation is considered by 
the full House of Representatives. As a cosponsor of this resolution I 
strongly support its passage and encourage my fellow members to join me 
in voting in favor of this bill.
  While Turkey considers itself a secular democracy, in reality this is 
simply not the case. The United States Commission on International 
Religious Freedom has classified Turkey one of the world's top 
violators of religious freedom. Out of a population of roughly 76.8 
million people, the country's religious make-up is 99 percent Muslim 
(mainly Sunni) and 1 percent Christian, Bahai, and Jewish.
  Regulations imposed upon minority religious groups, specifically 
Christians who make up less than 1 percent of the nation's population, 
serve to deny religious equality within Turkey. For example, national 
identification cards have a line item that displays one's religion, and 
while people are allowed to omit their religion on their I.D. card, it 
clearly marks individuals as non-Muslim.
  Despite Turkey's obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human 
Rights and the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, the government has not 
recognized minority religious communities, such as the Ecumenical 
Patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church, as independent entities with 
full legal status. The Turkish government's policies go so far as to 
deny non-Muslim communities the rights to train religious clergy, offer 
religious education, and own and maintain places of worship, leading to 
the decline, and in some cases the virtual disappearance, of these 
important religious and historical communities.
  Through its expropriation of church properties, continued harassment 
of worshippers, and refusal to grant full legal status under Turkish 
law to some Christian groups, the Republic of Turkey has failed to 
fulfill its obligation as a signatory to the Universal Declaration of 
Human Rights, which requires ``freedom of thought, conscience, and 
religion.''
  This resolution ``Urging the Republic of Turkey to Safeguard its 
Christian Heritage and to Return Confiscated Church Properties'' calls 
upon the government of Turkey to end religious discrimination, cease 
all restrictions on gatherings for religious prayer and education, and 
return stolen church property. On behalf of my Greek, Cypriot and 
Armenian American constituents in New York's 13th Congressional 
district, I strongly support the passage of this important resolution 
and encourage my colleagues to stand against religious persecution 
throughout the world.
  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 306, 
urging the Republic of Turkey to safeguard its Christian heritage and 
to return confiscated church properties.
  Sadly, this resolution is necessary in order to address the tragic 
destruction of Christian

[[Page 19985]]

 religious heritage in Turkey. The U.S. Commission on International 
Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which has put Turkey on its ``watch list'' 
for three straight years, said earlier this year that ``the Turkish 
government continues to impose serious limitations on freedom of 
religion or belief, thereby threatening the continued vitality and 
survival of minority religious communities in Turkey.''
  Churches in Turkey have been desecrated and destroyed. Just a century 
ago, there were over 2,000 Armenian churches in Turkey, but less than 
100 remain standing and fully functioning today.
  Discriminatory laws in Turkey have led to confiscation of church 
property. The USCIRF has reported, ``Over the previous five decades, 
the [Turkish] state has, using convoluted regulations and undemocratic 
laws to confiscate hundreds of religious minority properties, primarily 
those belonging to the Greek Orthodox community, as well as Armenian 
Orthodox, Catholics, and Jews. . . . The state also has closed 
seminaries, denying these communities the right to train clergy.''
  In particular, the Turkish government has closed the Halki 
Theological School for over three decades, despite repeated protests 
from the United States and Christians from around the world. The school 
had been a primary training center for educating future Greek priests 
and Church leaders, and, as a result, its closure is having terrible 
effects on those of the Greek Orthodox faith.
  As a Nation founded on the principles of religious liberty, we must 
stand up against desecration of churches in Turkey, the closing of 
seminaries, the intimidation of religious minorities and the 
confiscation of the Ecumenical Patriarch's property. I urge support for 
this resolution.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I'm thinking about why Congress is raising the 
issue of Christian properties in Turkey at a time when that country has 
already addressed these concerns. It is very unfortunate that at a time 
when our country is facing so many challenges, that we are focusing on 
an issue that should be settled internally by a foreign country. I 
strongly support religious freedom but this is not an appropriate issue 
for the United States Congress to be involved in.
  Last August, while Congress was in recess, the Turkish Government 
took the decision to return to non-Muslim community foundations the 
immovable properties registered in the name of Turkish public 
institutions, or compensate (at market rates) those foundations if such 
properties are held by third parties.
  Secretary Clinton publicly praised and ``applauded'' Turkey and Prime 
Minister Erdogan for this ``serious step to improve the climate for 
religious tolerance'' during a briefing on the release of State 
Department International Religious Freedom Report. The Report itself 
emphasizes Turkey's ``steps to improve religious freedom.'' 
Furthermore, during the American Turkish Council 2011 Annual 
Conference, Secretary Clinton said: ``I was particularly impressed by 
Prime Minister Erdogan's statement during Ramadan that property would 
be returned to religious minority groups, and we also hope to see other 
positive steps, such as reopening of the Halki Seminary.''
  The simple truth is that we shouldn't single out one country when we 
know there are similar issues throughout the world. If we're going to 
be involved with calling attention to the faults of one country, we are 
setting a dangerous precedent where the House of Representatives can be 
distracted by focusing on the problems existing anywhere else in the 
world. We need to be promoting religious freedom and tolerance all over 
the world and this resolution does not accomplish that goal. A better 
use of our time and energy would be for all of us to foster stronger 
bilateral relations with all of our allies.
  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, as a strong supporter of religious freedom, I 
share the desire of many of my colleagues that our international 
relationships and foreign policy should reflect our values. A legacy of 
intolerance and violent conflict is still palpable in Turkey, decades 
after the upheavals and population transfers that took place as the 
Ottoman Empire collapsed. Greeks, Armenians, Assyrians, and others 
still live with this legacy, and for many decades Turkey's government 
failed to account for it or to take any steps to recognize it.
  Yet, Turkey is undergoing profound and very hopeful changes today. 
The current Turkish leadership demonstrates an understanding of these 
changes. They are challenging entrenched, conservative orthodoxies and 
facing the past in ways that I believe we should encourage. That is why 
I cannot support the resolution before us today. It is out of step with 
the reality of today's Turkey, the U.S.-Turkish alliance, and the 
political realities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
  I am concerned that H. Res. 306 would not only send the wrong signal, 
it would cause the deterioration of a relationship with an important 
ally without advancing the laudable goal of religious freedom.
  The fact is, the Turkish government is moving in the right direction 
on this issue, and of their own accord. Prime Minister Erdogan of 
Turkey announced last August that his government would return hundreds 
of properties that were confiscated from religious minorities by the 
state or other parties since 1936, and would pay compensation for 
properties that were seized and later sold.
  I don't think such a gesture should be repaid by a sense of Congress 
that claims that ``the Republic of Turkey has been responsible for the 
destruction and theft of much of the Christian heritage within its 
borders'' and which accuses our strongest Muslim ally of ``official and 
unofficial acts of discrimination, intolerance, and intimidation.'' 
This is a government that has fought beside our soldiers in 
Afghanistan, and has provided training, overflight and logistical 
support that have been critical to the United States in Iraq.
  While we debate this resolution, we can't ignore the fact that Turkey 
has taken important steps forward regarding civil and political rights, 
and is even now developing a new constitution to reflect Turkey's 
diverse society and its aspirations to become a more active member of 
the global community. This orientation should be encouraged. The 
resolution before us, in my view, does nothing to encourage Turkey on 
that path, regardless of what its backers are claiming.
  Only in the last few months, Turkey has taken some very difficult and 
controversial steps that support the foreign policy of the United 
States. Perhaps the best example, and least well-known, is in Libya. 
While U.S. and N.A.T.O. forces were protecting Libyan civilians from a 
depraved dictator, the Republic of Turkey agreed to serve as a 
``protecting power'' on behalf of the United States. In that capacity 
they represented the United States in Libya, including acting as 
consular officers on behalf of U.S. citizens in Libya and looking after 
American diplomatic facilities in the country. They also fully 
supported our goal of protecting the Libyan opposition, and pledged 
financial and material support to NATO to bring about a free, 
democratic, secure, stable, and united Libya. Is this how we repay 
them?
  Another example of Turkey's positive role in the Mediterranean region 
is their government's decision to host a U.S. radar warning system in 
the southeastern region of the country. This is a landmark agreement 
for the alliance. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called 
the installation a ``critical contribution'' to the Alliance's efforts 
to address the growing threat of proliferation. This effort is not 
inconsistent with Turkey's leadership on issues of international 
security--only last month Turkey hosted an important international 
security conference on Afghanistan, and Turkey continues to participate 
in military and civilian efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  And Turkey has also demonstrated a willingness to challenge 
undemocratic and despotic neighbors, despite the risk to its own 
economic interests. The Turkish government has imposed sanctions on the 
Assad regime in Syria, and erected trade barriers that will make it 
harder for the dictatorship to remain in place. And the Erdogan 
government has also distanced itself from Iran by pushing for secular, 
democratic governments in Egypt, Tunisia and Syria. These are not easy 
steps for the Turkish government to take--Iran and Syria account for 
much of Turkey's eastern border and a large part of its trade. But they 
are pushing ahead, because they share our concern for democratic 
values. Turkey's government is showing that there can be no real peace 
without moral principles.
  The resolution before us seems utterly ignorant of these critical 
developments. I cannot support it, despite my profound wish that Turkey 
fully embrace the full diversity represented within its borders. 
Further, I would like to see the current government of Turkey--as well 
as the governments of Greece and Armenia--fully and fairly recognize 
the enduring pain that conflict and hatred have wrought in its 
territory. I feel that under Prime Minister Erdogan, that process of 
acceptance and accountability has begun. We in the United States 
Congress can support a process of authentic reconciliation, and we 
should.
  Turkey is our strong ally and friend. By shoring up our friendship, 
we can have discussions about the shortcomings we see in our ally. But 
this resolution fails to meet the basic standard of an enduring 
alliance, and therefore must oppose it.
  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on H. Res. 306, urging 
the Republic of Turkey to safeguard its Christian heritage and to 
return confiscated church properties.
  I believe that it is important for Secretary Clinton to discuss 
issues of religious freedom

[[Page 19986]]

and equality with her Turkish counterparts, but I regret that Congress 
often fails to acknowledge the rapidly developing situation in Turkey, 
where the relationship between religion and state is evolving in 
positive and dynamic ways.
  As a devout Christian and American, I believe that all religions 
should be treated equally, with dignity and respect, both here in the 
United States and abroad, and as such, I wish the resolution before us 
today would have offered a more balanced perspective, acknowledging the 
positive steps taken by the Turkish government.
  Turkey is home to many faiths, and I believe that Turks take 
questions and concerns about religious freedom and equality very 
seriously. Turks are no strangers to religious restrictions, 
discrimination and prejudice, which confront many of their communities 
abroad.
  I would like to commend the government of Turkey for its recent 
reform of The Law on Foundations, which enables the return of or 
compensation for immovable properties significant to religious minority 
communities. Congress should also acknowledge that Turkey has preserved 
or restored many sites of importance to religious minorities in recent 
years, and we should encourage the continuation of this important work.
  I applaud the Turkish government for easing restrictions on the Greek 
Orthodox community and the Ecumenical Patriarch, initiatives that have 
been welcomed by the Hellenic communities in Turkey and the United 
States and improved relations between Turkey and Greece.
  In another example of forward movement that Congress has yet to 
recognize, the Armenian Orthodox Patriarch led worship services in the 
historic Armenian church on Akhtamar Island near Van for the first time 
since World War I, attended by thousands of pilgrims from Turkey and 
abroad.
  Congress should welcome Prime Minister Erdogan's commitment to return 
property to religious minority communities and recognize Turkey's 
status as a majority Muslim, democratic, secular state where all 
religions are equal.
  The latest International Religious Freedom Report published by the 
State Department lists areas where the Turkish government has made 
significant advances, while calling for improvements in areas such as 
the reopening of the Halki Seminary on the island of Heybeli.
  Further improvement is always possible, and as Turkey moves forward 
with constitutional reform efforts, I am confident that this process 
will recognize religious freedom, equality and plurality as universal 
values that should be upheld in every corner of the world.
  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, the text of House Resolution 
306 could lead to false conclusions about Turkey. Make no mistake: 
Turkey has taken concrete steps to improve religious freedom through a 
series of meaningful initiatives. Moreover, Turkey is a secular, 
modernized NATO ally that provides indispensible military and 
diplomatic support to the United States and our allies. Its efforts 
with respect to religious inclusion are welcome and worthy of 
recognition.
  In September, for example, Secretary Clinton praised Turkey's 
continued progress in enhancing religious freedom, stating:

       We have also seen Turkey take serious steps to improve the 
     climate for religious tolerance. The Turkish government 
     issued a decree in August that invited non-Muslims to reclaim 
     churches and synagogues that were confiscated 75 years ago. I 
     applaud Prime Minister Erdogan's very important commitment to 
     doing so.

  Long before H. Res. 306 was introduced, the Turkish Government was 
enhancing religious freedom. For example:
  In May 2010, the Prime Ministry issued a circular underlining that 
Turkey's non-Muslim citizens share with all other Turkish citizens the 
right to enjoy and maintain their own identities and cultures in 
parallel with the national identity and culture of Turkey.
  The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul recently has been 
permitted to conduct masses at religiously significant venues that had 
been rendered museums due to disuse.
  In November 2010, Turkish authorities returned a former orphanage to 
the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate following a decision by the European 
Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The attorney representing the 
Patriarchate declared, ``This marks a first in Europe. Turkey became 
the first country to implement a decision of the ECHR by returning the 
property. This should be an example for other countries.''
  Since the original text of H. Res. 306 was introduced, Turkey amended 
its Law on Foundations to state that immovable properties, cemeteries, 
and fountains (of the non-Muslim community foundations registered in 
the name of Turkish public institutions) will be returned to the 
relevant non-Muslim community foundations, upon those non-Muslim 
foundations' request.
  On a larger scale, Turkey has been an indispensible ally and friend 
of the United States since it joined NATO almost 60 years ago (in 
1952). Given Turkey's strategic location and maintenance of the second 
largest military in NATO, this should come as no surprise. Currently, 
NATO is installing radar systems in Turkey and Romania as part of the 
regional anti-ballistic missile defense system. Moreover, when NATO 
passed Resolution 1973, which enforced a no-fly zone in Libya, Turkey 
helped lead a NATO-led coalition, after playing a major role in 
deliberations with the United States and other key allies. Turkey also 
had a key role in negotiating the release of four New York Times 
reporters who were captured during fighting in Libya.
  With regard to U.S. operations in Afghanistan, Turkey:
  Has made available its Konya Air Base and other airports for the 
deployment of aircraft and allies' cargo aircraft in support of ISAF 
operations.
  Has deployed five Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams (OMLT) and 
has also conducted in-place training of 8,000 Afghan National Army 
(ANA) members and training in Turkey for an additional 1,000 Afghan 
troops.
  Turkey established two civilian-led Provincial Reconstruction Teams 
(PRTs) in Wardak and Jawzjan, and opened a branch of the Turkish 
International Cooperation Agency in Kabul, from which it runs a number 
of humanitarian assistance and economic development projects.
  Turkey stations over 1,700 U.S. military personnel under the U.S.-
Turkey Defense and Economic Cooperation Agreement. Incirlik Air Base, 
which houses about 1,500 U.S. military personnel, is a transit point 
for 68% of air logistical support for Iraq and Afghanistan. Each year, 
an average of 2,000 American C-17 aircraft and an average of 1,460 KC-
135 refueling tankers fly through the Turkish air base. Turkey's 
support is not limited to access of its air bases; its Mersin port on 
the Mediterranean is part of the U.S.'s supply network to Afghanistan.
  In a time when several Muslim majority countries are undergoing 
upheaval, Turkey provides an ideal model to its neighbors. It is a 
secular, modern, Muslim majority state that is a significant NATO ally. 
In its domestic affairs, Turkey is again a model for its neighbors. 
According to the State Department's 13th Annual Report on Religious 
Freedom,

       During the reporting period, the [Turkish] government took 
     steps to improve religious freedom. Notably the government 
     permitted religious services to be held annually in historic 
     Christian sites that had been turned into state museums after 
     decades of disuse.

  As a friend of Turkey, the United States ought to continue to 
recognize Turkey's initiatives on religious freedom and encourage 
Turkey to continue its progress. This is what allies do.
  Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on H. Res. 306, regarding 
religious freedom in Turkey, a longtime friend and ally of the United 
States.
  The value we in America place on freedom of religion goes to the very 
heart of American democracy, and we have a strong interest in promoting 
religious freedom globally. As with other indicators of democracy and 
human rights, nations that respect religious tolerance generally enjoy 
greater economic prosperity and social stability. While I support this 
resolution and encourage further progress on religious freedom in 
Turkey, I also believe we must seek to support these standards in an 
even-handed manner.
  I would like to emphasize the importance of U.S.-Turkish relations. 
From Turkey's critical support in Afghanistan and elsewhere, as a 
uniquely positioned NATO ally and their substantial humanitarian 
contributions in response to famine in the Horn of Africa to Turkey's 
efforts in support of the Syrian people as the Assad regime's brutality 
intensifies, Turkey continues to be a strong partner in addressing some 
of the world's most vexing problems. As revolutionary calls for 
democratic governance sound throughout the Middle East and North 
Africa, we must continue to work closely with Turkey, whose position as 
a democratic, majority Muslim country can play a positive role in 
transitions in the region.
  Moreover, I would like to acknowledge the positive steps that the 
Turkish government has taken to address issues of religious freedom and 
tolerance. This August, the Turkish government issued a decree inviting 
non-Muslims to reclaim churches and synagogues that were confiscated 75 
years ago and has eased some citizenship requirements on Orthodox 
clergy. Unfortunately, H. Res. 306 omits recognition of these important 
commitments. While issues remain, particularly with regard to the 
Ecumenical Patriarch, I am encouraged by the efforts that have been 
made and hope for further progress.

[[Page 19987]]

  As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish 
Americans, I look forward to the ongoing alliance between our 
countries.
  Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
306 that the House passed earlier this week.
  Wherever we see repression, wherever we see atrocities being swept 
under the rug, we have a moral duty to speak out. Members of NATO are 
no exception.
  Today in Turkey, beautiful and historic Armenian churches, monuments 
and monasteries lie in ruins--broken not by the sands of time, but by 
desecration, theft and dynamite.
  For too long, the U.S. has allowed Turkey to elude responsibility for 
the destruction of Armenian churches. With this resolution, Congress 
sends a stern message to Turkey's Prime Minister, Recep Erdogan--the 
United States will not tolerate Turkish assaults on Armenian heritage 
and religious freedom.
  The passage of House Resolution 306 earlier this week was an 
important step towards justice for the Armenian people, but our work is 
unfinished. Until the U.S. and Turkey officially recognize the Armenian 
Genocide for what it was, I will continue to fight to correct the 
staggering injustice of soft-peddling the murder of 1.5 million men, 
women and children.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 306, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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