07/14/11 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record - Mr. Speaker, thirty-seven years ago, on July 20, 1974, nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots fell victim to a Turkish invasion of northern Cyprus . They were forcibly evicted from their homes and became refugees in their own country. Today, Turkey continues to occupy more than one-third of Cyprus with more than 43,000 Turkish troops, making the occupied area of Cyprus one of the most militarized areas in the world. In addition, mass violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Cypriot people continue, as well as forcible ethnic segregation and division of the Greek Cypriot and Turks Cypriot communities.

During the invasion, Greek Cypriots were expelled from their homes, resulting in the usurpation and illegal exploitation of the property belonging to the Greek Cypriot refugees. Massive colonization of the occupied areas of Cyprus has also occurred over the past several decades through the illegal placement of more than 160,000 Turkish mainland settlers, who now outnumber the indigenous Turkish Cypriots by almost two to one. Furthermore, cultural destruction and religious desecration continues in northern Cyprus , where many churches, chapels, monasteries, and numerous archaeological sites have been looted, vandalized, or destroyed.

I had the opportunity to visit Cyprus several years ago and observe first-hand the devastation that the occupation has had on the island for 37 years. Upon my return, it has been a goal of mine to work with my colleagues in Congress to promote a reunified and prosperous Cyprus where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can live together in peace, security and stability and clear of foreign aggression. On July 20th we must remember our Cypriot friends and commit to work with them to reunify the island.

01-10-11 - Michael Messmer from Gephardt Group Government Affairs LLP e-mailed Hanna Izon & Judi Wolford from Representative Sires's office on behalf of the government of Turkey regarding the request for Turkish MP and former Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis to meet with member

03-11-11 - Patton Boggs LLP met with Hannah Izon from Representative Sires's office on behalf of the government of Azerbaijan regarding U.S.-Azerbaijan bilateral relations

07-07-11 - Michael Messmer from Gephardt Group Government Affairs LLP e-mailed Hannah Izon from Representative Sires's office on behalf of the government of Turkey regarding request for meeting to discuss regional developments and issues of bilateral interest

03-13-12 - Khayal Sharif-zadeh from Azerbaijan America Alliance Corporation contacted Kaylan Koszela from Representative Sires's office on behalf of the government of Azerbaijan regarding Introduction to the Alliance

07-16-12 - Michael Messmer from Gephardt Group e-mailed Hannah Izon from Representative Sires's office on behalf of the government of Turkey regarding Request to meet re: H. Res. 676

07-17-12 - Michael Messmer from Gephardt Group e-mailed Hannah Izon from Representative Sires's office on behalf of the government of Turkey regarding Follow-up to e-mail of 7/16

07-19-12 - Michael Messmer from Gephardt Group met with Kayla Koszela from Representative Sires's office on behalf of the government of Turkey regarding Meeting with Koszela, Rauf Alp Denktas (Turkish Embassy), and Baris Tantekin (Turkish Embassy) to discuss H resolution. 676 & regional issues