Archbishop Demetrios to Receive Legislative Letters Calling for Religious Freedom in Turkey



(Order of St. Andrew)--
All 62 members of the New York State Senate and 144 members of the New York State Assembly signed letters calling for the Turkish Government to cease its discrimination of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Holy See for millions of Orthodox Christians in the United States and around the world. Similar to 43 religious freedom resolutions passed in 37 states, the NY effort was led by Senators Dean Skelos and Michael Gianaris and Assemblywomen Aravella Simotas and Nicole Malliotakis. All four legislators are expected to be in attendance to present the letters to Archbishop Demetrios of America, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, and spiritual leader of more than 2.5 million Greek Orthodox Christians in the US. Also expected to attend are representatives of the Order of St. Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and other dignitaries on Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 3pm at the Archdiocese headquarters in Manhattan.

Background:

The National Council of the Order of St. Andrew initiated in 2006 the Religious Freedom Resolutions project. The goal of this project, which represents one component of the overall, multi-faceted Religious Freedom Initiative, is the adoption of religious freedom resolutions in support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in every state legislature. To date, 43 such resolutions have been adopted by 37 states, representing 83.5% of the United States population.This project is an ongoing effort of the Order of Saint Andrew and represents an important part of the governmental and public affairs strategy of the Religious Freedom Initiative. Stephen Georgeson serves as the national coordinator for the state resolutions project. He can be contacted at spgeorgeson@yahoo.com and urges Orthodox faithful to learn what actions can be taken to protect our Mother Church and religious freedom. For more information, visit the website of the Archons at http://www.archons.org/takeaction .



U.S. Map of States Resolutions Project



States highlighted in LIGHT BLUE indicate that the resolution has been introduced.
States highlighted in GOLD indicate final adoption and no further action is necessary.
States highlighted in DARK BLUE indicate no resolution has been introduced at this time.
[Ed: NH resolution introduction pending, 17 May 2011]



U.S. State Resolution Status and Primary Sponsors



Alabama

SJR 73 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Adopted by House and Senate on
5/2007
Sen. Jabo Waggoner



Nebraska

LR 273 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced 1/6/2010
Adopted on 4/13/2010
Sen. Gwen Howard


Alaska

SJR 28 - Read the Resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 2/18/2010
Adopted by Senate 4/5/2010
Adopted by House 4/11/2010
Senator Kevin Meyer

HR 15 - Introduced on 2/23/2010
Adoption Pending
Rep. Bob Lynn
Rep. John Harris

Nevada

ACR 31 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Adopted by Assembly and Senate on 5/6/2009
Assemblyman James Ohrenschall
Sen. William Raggio


Arizona

HCM 2009 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 1/17/2008
Adopted by House 3/18/2008
Adopted by Senate 5/22/2008
Rep. Mark Anderson

New Hampshire

No resolution has been introduced at this time.
[Ed: resolution introduction pending,
17 May 2011]


Arkansas

SCR 3 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 1/22/2009
Adopted by Senate on 2/18/09
Adopted by House 3/12/2009
Senator David Johnson


New Jersey

SJR 11 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Adopted by Senate and House 6/2006
Sen. Bob Smith
Sen. Joseph Kyrillos, Jr.


California

SJR 17 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 9/10/2007
Adopted by Senate 2/28/2008
Sen. Elaine Kontominas Alquist
Adopted by Assembly 8/30/2008


New Mexico

HM 39 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 2/2/2010
Adopted by House 2/13/2010
Rep. Al Park


Colorado

HJR 1014 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Adopted by House and Senate on 4/7/2011
Rep. Lois Court
Rep. John Kefalas
Senator Joyce Foster
Senator Nancy Spence


New York

Read the Assembly resolution [PDF]
Read the Senate resolution [PDF]
Adopted by Senate and House 4/1/2011
Senator Dean Skelos
Senator Michael Gianaris
Assemblywomen Aravella Simotas and
Nicole Malliotakis




Connecticut

Read the resolution [PDF]
Adopted on 4/30/2010
Rep. Demetrios Giannaros
Rep. Themis Klarides
Rep. John C. Geragosian

North Carolina

Letter of Resolution [PDF]
Adopted on 6/28/2010
Sen. Bob Rucho


Delaware

HR 9 - Introduced on 3/10/2009
Adopted on 3/19/2009
Rep. Nick Manolakos


North Dakota

SCR 4014 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 1/26/2011
Adopted on 3/24/2011
Senator Tim Mathern
Rep. Andy Maragos



Florida

HM 191 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 3/2/2010
Adopted on 4/23/2010
Rep. Peter Nehr

SM 314 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 3/1/2010
Adopted on 4/28/2010
Senator Mike Fasano

Ohio

SCR 3 - Introduced on 2/1/2011
Adoption Pending
Senator Joe Schiavoni


Georgia

HR 415 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Adopted by House 4/2007
Rep. Mike Cheokas

SR 1038 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 2/27/2008
Adopted by Senate 3/6/2008
Sen. David Adelman

Oklahoma

SR 54 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 2/19/2008
Adopted on 3/24/2008


Hawaii

SCR 57 and SR 31 - Introduced on 3/4/2011
Adoption Pending
Sen. Carol Fukunaga


Oregon

SJR 16 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 5/4/2009
Adopted by Senate on 5/6/2009
Adopted by House on 6/1/2009
Sen. Rod Monroe, Sen. Bruce Starr, and Sen. Richard Devlin



Idaho

No resolution has been introduced at this time.


Pennsylvania

HR 876 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Adopted by House 11/2006
Rep. Timothy Solobay

SR 188 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 10/24/2007
Adopted by Senate 3/10/2008
Sen. Barry Stout



Illinois

HR 666 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Gubenatorial Resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 8/10/2007
Adopted on 10/4/2007
Rep. Sandra Pihos
Rep. Elizabeth Coulson

SR 100 - Introduced on 2/25/2009
Adoption Pending
Senator Antonio Munoz

Rhode Island

SR 895 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Adopted by Senate 3/2007
Sen. Lou Raptakis


Indiana

SR 4 - Introduced on 1/5/2011
Adoption Pending
Senator Lonnie Randolph


South Carolina

HR 4727 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 2/20/2008
Adopted by House on 4/9/2008
Rep. Leonidas Stavrinakis

SR 735 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Adopted by Senate 5/2007
Sen. Phil Leventis



Iowa

HR 27 - Introduced on 3/12/2009
Adopted on 3/23/2009
Rep. Wayne Ford
Rep. Pat Murphy


South Dakota

No resolution has been introduced at this time.


Kansas

SR 1807 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 1/6/2011
Adopted by Senate 2/3/2011
Sen. Tim Owens


Tennessee

SJR 535 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Adopted by Senate 6/2007
Adopted by House on 4/17/2008
Sen. Roy Herron


Kentucky

HR 244 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Adopted on 3/26/2008
Rep. Mary Lou Marzian


Texas

HCR 1670 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 5/1/2011
Adopted on 5/5/2011
Rep. Dennis Bonnen

SCR 4 - Introduced on 1/3/2011
Adoption Pending
Senator Joan Huffman



Louisiana

SR 109 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Adopted by Senate 6/2007
Sen. Edwin Murray


Utah

SR 1 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 1/23/2009
Adopted on 2/5/2009
Senator Patricia Jones

HR 2 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 2/3/2009
Adopted on 2/19/2009
Rep. Gregory Hughes



Maine

HP 924 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 3/25/2009
Adopted by House 3/31/2009
Adopted by Senate 4/2/2009
Rep. Linda Valentino
Senator Margaret Craven
Senator Barry Hobbins

Vermont

JRS 47 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 2/9/2010
Adopted on 5/12/2010
Senator Richard Sears
Senator Robert Hartwell


Maryland

HJR 5 - Introduced on 3/14/2008
Adoption Pending
Delegate Theodore Sophocleus


Virginia

HJ 126 - Introduced on 1/9/2008
Adoption Pending
Delegate Johnny Joannou
Delegate Manoli Loupassi



Massachusetts

Read the resolution [PDF]
Adopted on 4/16/2008
Senator Gale Candaras


Washington

HJM 4003 - Introduced on 1/15/2009
Adoption Pending
Rep. Deb Wallace
Rep. Bill Hinkle



Michigan

SCR 6 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 3/19/2009
Adopted by House 3/19/2009
Adopted by Senate 3/25/2009
Senator John Pappageorge
Senator John Gleason
Senator Roger Kahn

West Virginia

HCR 37 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 2/11/2008
Adopted by House 3/3/2008
Adopted by Senate 3/8/2008
Delegate Samuel Cann
Sen. Joseph Minard


Mississippi

HCR 67 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 3/19/2008
Adopted by House 3/31/2008
Adopted by Senate 4/16/2008
Rep. Alyce Clarke

Wisconsin

SR 10 - Read the resolution [PDF]
Introduced on 3/4/2010
Adopted on 4/22/2010
Sen. Ted Kanavas


Missouri

No resolution has been introduced at this time.

Wyoming

No resolution has been introduced at this time.


Montana

No resolution has been introduced at this time.




(Posting date 17 May 2011)

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