SJR 28-ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE OF TURKEY  9:39:51 AM CHAIR DAHLSTROM turned the committee's attention to the final order of business SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 28, Relating to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and religious rights. 9:39:55 AM REPRESENTATIVE OLSOM moved to adopt SJR 28 as the working document. There being no objection, it was so ordered. 9:40:19 AM SENATOR MEYER, Alaska State Legislature, related that SJR 28 has helped him to learn about the religious challenges in Turkey. He informed the committee that 25 state legislatures have adopted resolutions similar to SJR 28. This resolution urges the U.S., the European Union, and the United Nations to encourage the government of Turkey to end its discrimination and pledge to uphold and safeguard religious rights without compromise. The State of Alaska has a substantial Orthodox Christian community. This fall the US State Department will deliver copies of these resolutions that have been adopted throughout the state to the Turkish Foreign Minister. 9:42:45 AM REPRESENTATIVE HERRON mentioned that there are several communities in his district in which Orthodox Christianity is the dominant faith. He asked if the prejudice against [the Ecumenical Patriarchate] is a recent phenomenon or a long time phenomenon. 9:43:30 AM CHRISTINE MARASIGAN, Staff, Senator Kevin Meyer, Alaska State Legislature, speaking on behalf of the sponsor, answered that this prejudice has being going on for quite some time. In fact, every president since President Carter has sent envoys and messages to the government of Turkey regarding this matter. There has been progress in the last five years and thus there is the desire to continue pressure on the matter. 9:44:24 AM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER, drawing upon her experience in Turkey last year, related that this prejudice started before the Crusades. 9:44:44 AM REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA asked if the Secretary of State, since she will deliver these resolutions, should be included in the list to which the resolutions are sent. MS. MARASIGAN related her understanding that the resolution will be provided to the ambassador of the area. 9:45:38 AM CHAIR DAHLSTROM commented that she has many constituents and a church of this faith in her district. 9:45:53 AM REPRESENTATIVE OLSON moved to report SJR 28 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, SJR 28 was reported from the House Rules Standing Committee.