WASHINGTON, DC – The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading association for the nation’s millions of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, applauds passage of
H.R.4347, the Turkey Christian Churches Accountability Act, by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, June 26, 2014, announced Supreme President Anthony Kouzounis. Included in the bill is language from U.S. Rep. Gus
Bilirakis’s resolution that expresses the sense of Congress that the Theological School of Halki be reopened without condition or further delay. H.R.4347, which passed by voice vote, requires an annual report from the State Department on the status of stolen, confiscated or unreturned Christian properties in territories controlled by Turkey.
“The bill’s passage reaffirms that it is time for Turkey to advance religious freedom in its country by reopening the Theological School of Halki without conditions or further delay and holding Turkey accountable for the return of church property,” Kouzounis said. “We deeply appreciate the leadership of Chairman Ed Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel, who introduced and shepherded the bill through committee, and Congressman Bilirakis, who sponsored and championed the Halki resolution. We also thank the committee members and co-sponsors who supported the bill. The bill stands in the proud American tradition of championing religious freedom around the world, and we call for the House Leadership to bring the bill to the floor for passage in a timely fashion.”
Founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, to protect individuals from the evils of bigotry and discrimination, AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe. The mission of AHEPA is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism.
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