States News Service
June 15, 2011 Wednesday
BERMAN INTRODUCES RESOLUTION ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN TURKEY,
COSPONSORS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
WASHINGTON
The following information was released by the office of California
Rep. Howard Berman:
Congressman Howard L. Berman, senior Democrat on the House Foreign
Affairs Committee, today joined Congressman Ed Royce in introducing H.
Res. 306, a bipartisan resolution calling on Turkey to end all
discrimination against Christian minorities. Already, this resolution
has the support of 31 members of Congress.
By expropriating church properties, harassing worshippers, and
refusing to grant full legal status to some Christian groups, Turkey
has failed to fulfill its obligation as a signatory to the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, Berman said. This important resolution
calls on Turkey to end its deeply disturbing practice of religious
discrimination, cease all restrictions on gatherings for religious
prayer and education, and return stolen church property.
Berman is also an original cosponsor of H. Res. 304, the Armenian
Genocide resolution, introduced this week by Congressmen Robert Dold
and Adam Schiff.
As the global leader on human rights, the United States has a moral
responsibility to recognize the Armenian Genocide, Berman said. We
must do everything in our power to ensure that the horrors of the
Armenian Genocide will never be forgotten.
As we recall this terrible chapter of human history, we should also
reflect on the contributions of the Armenian community in America --
including hundreds of thousands in California -- to the richness of
our character and culture. The strength they and their immigrant
ancestors have displayed in overcoming tragedy to flourish in this
country is an example for all of us. Their success is moving testimony
to the truth that tyranny and evil cannot extinguish the vitality of
the human spirit.
Last year, as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Berman moved
the Armenian Genocide resolution through the Committee.
June 15, 2011 Wednesday
BERMAN INTRODUCES RESOLUTION ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN TURKEY,
COSPONSORS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
WASHINGTON
The following information was released by the office of California
Rep. Howard Berman:
Congressman Howard L. Berman, senior Democrat on the House Foreign
Affairs Committee, today joined Congressman Ed Royce in introducing H.
Res. 306, a bipartisan resolution calling on Turkey to end all
discrimination against Christian minorities. Already, this resolution
has the support of 31 members of Congress.
By expropriating church properties, harassing worshippers, and
refusing to grant full legal status to some Christian groups, Turkey
has failed to fulfill its obligation as a signatory to the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, Berman said. This important resolution
calls on Turkey to end its deeply disturbing practice of religious
discrimination, cease all restrictions on gatherings for religious
prayer and education, and return stolen church property.
Berman is also an original cosponsor of H. Res. 304, the Armenian
Genocide resolution, introduced this week by Congressmen Robert Dold
and Adam Schiff.
As the global leader on human rights, the United States has a moral
responsibility to recognize the Armenian Genocide, Berman said. We
must do everything in our power to ensure that the horrors of the
Armenian Genocide will never be forgotten.
As we recall this terrible chapter of human history, we should also
reflect on the contributions of the Armenian community in America --
including hundreds of thousands in California -- to the richness of
our character and culture. The strength they and their immigrant
ancestors have displayed in overcoming tragedy to flourish in this
country is an example for all of us. Their success is moving testimony
to the truth that tyranny and evil cannot extinguish the vitality of
the human spirit.
Last year, as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Berman moved
the Armenian Genocide resolution through the Committee.