On September 16, 2010 Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus in Congress and ardent supporter of our causes, introduced H.R. 1631 in the US House of Representatives.

The Resolution, introduced in an effort to stop the documented pillaging of religious sites and archeological artifacts in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus, urges the government of Turkey to:
1) implement immediately the United Nations Security Council Resolutions relevant to Cyprus as well as the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights
2) work to retrieve and restore all lost artifacts and immediately halt destruction on religious sites, illegal archaeological excavations, and traffic in icons and antiquities;
3) allow for the proper preservation and reconstruction of destroyed or altered religious sites and immediately cease all restrictions on freedom of religion for the enclaved Cypriots.

It also calls on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the President, the Secretary of State, and the State Department Office of International Religious Freedom to take specified steps to address the concerns and actions called for in this resolution.

Finally, it urges the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to ensure compiance of its members in enforcing it.

Under the leadership of Mr. Bilirakis, the Resolution was referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee and subsequently was voted for on September 28 on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Among the 27 members of the House that had co-signed H.R. 1631 were:

• Rep. Jim Costa (R-CA)
• Rep Diane Watson (D-CA)
• Rep. Howard Berman, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (D-CA)
• Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA)
• Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA)
• Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)
• Rep. Zack Space (D-OH)
• Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)
• Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV)

On behalf of our members, the AHC Congratulates all of the above for the passage of this important resolution as well as Rep. Bilirakis who spearheaded the whole effort.