Bill Text: TX HR1670 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled

Texas House Resolution 1670 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Urging the government of Turkey to uphold and safeguard religious and human rights of all its citizens without compromise, to grant the Ecumenical Patriarch appropriate international recognition, ecclesiastical succession, and the right to train clergy of all nationalities, and to respect the property rights and human rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and all religious and faith traditions.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 5-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-05-09 - Reported enrolled [HR1670 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-HR1670-Enrolled.html



	H.R. No. 1670



	R E S O L U T I O N

	WHEREAS, The Orthodox Christian Church, in existence for
	nearly 2,000 years, numbers approximately 300 million members
	worldwide, with more than 2 million members in the United States;
	and
	WHEREAS, Since 1453, the continuing presence of the
	Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey has been a living testament to
	the religious coexistence of Christians and Muslims; and
	WHEREAS, This religious coexistence is in doubt because the
	Ecumenical Patriarchate is considered a minority religion by the
	Turkish government; and
	WHEREAS, There were millions of Orthodox Christians living in
	Turkey at the turn of the 20th century, but there remain fewer than
	3,000 in Turkey today; and
	WHEREAS, Orthodox Christians in Texas and throughout the
	United States stand to lose their spiritual leader; and
	WHEREAS, While there have been difficulties in the past with
	the relationship of the Orthodox Christian Church and the Turkish
	government, certain recent actions by the Turkish government
	suggest an interest in improving its relationship with and
	treatment of the Orthodox Christian Church, and such actions are
	acknowledged and welcomed; and
	WHEREAS, The people of Texas desire to encourage continued
	dialogue and communication between the leadership of the Turkish
	government and the Orthodox Christian Church, such as recent
	high-level meetings between Turkish officials and the Ecumenical
	Patriarchate; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
	Legislature hereby urge the government of Turkey to uphold and
	safeguard religious and human rights of all its citizens without
	compromise, to grant the Ecumenical Patriarch appropriate
	international recognition, ecclesiastical succession, and the
	right to train clergy of all nationalities, and to respect the
	property rights and human rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and
	all religious and faith traditions.

	Bonnen
	S. Davis of Harris
	Hughes
	Murphy
	Woolley

	______________________________
	Speaker of the House

	I certify that H.R. No. 1670 was adopted by the House on May
	5, 2011, by a non-record vote.

	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House