Grimm Cosponsors Bill to Help U.S. Nationals Reclaim Property Illegally Taken in the Occupation of Cyprus

Press Release

Today, Congressman Michael G. Grimm (R,C-NY) became a cosponsor of H.R. 2597, the "American-Owned Property in Occupied Cyprus Claims Act," that would provide processes for remedies by which U.S. nationals can pursue financial restitution for the illegal use and occupation of their property located in Turkish-occupied Cyprus. In the summer of 1974 Turkey launched a two-phased invasion of the Republic of Cyprus to grab nearly 40 percent of Cyprus's sovereign territory and force 170,000 Greek Cypriots from their homes and property. This bill puts in place a process by which the property illegally taken in the northern-occupied area of Cyprus can be returned to its rightful owners.

"It is unacceptable that Turkey would exclude U.S. nationals from claiming their own property," said Grimm. "I am proud to stand in support of the Cypriot-Americans who have suffered this grave injustice by cosponsoring this bill to help them restore the property that was illegally taken from them. I have a strong record of supporting America's Greek/Cypriot community and will proudly continue to strengthen that record through my work in Congress."

Rep. Grimm has a strong record of supporting issues important to the people of Greece and the Republic of Cyprus. He is an active member of the Congressional Hellenic Issues Caucus and will be traveling to Cyprus in August 2011 with representatives from the Greek/Cypriot community from his district in Staten Island and Brooklyn.

Rep. Grimm has also shown his support by cosponsoring the following pro-Greek/Cypriot legislation:

* H.Res.306: Urging the Republic of Turkey to safeguard its Christian heritage and to return confiscated church properties.
* H.Res.180: Urging Turkey to respect the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
* H.Res.179: Recognizing and appreciating the historical significance and the heroic human endeavor and sacrifice of the people of Crete during World War II and commending the PanCretan Association of America.
* H.R. 1337: To support efforts by the Department of State to strengthen the bilateral relationship with Greece.
* H.Con.Res.54: Expressing the sense of the Congress that the Parthenon Marbles should be returned to Greece.

Finally, Rep. Grimm has been very active in helping New York's Greek community rebuild St. Nicholas Church, which was destroyed in the attacks on September 11th. Earlier this year, he sent letters to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie urging the governors to help facilitate negotiations to rebuild the church in lower Manhattan.

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