WASHINGTON, D.C., June 21 --A total of 30 key U.S. Senators and Members of Congress, and the most knowledgeable, high-ranking Administration official for matters relating to Cyprus, participated in the 16th Annual Cyprus Conference in Washington, D.C. June 15-17, 2005.  Over 100 Hellenic leaders from across the U.S. and around the world, lobbied these key policy-makers at this difficult moment for Cyprus.
-- U.S. Congress --
Due to the crisis nature of the Cyprus issue, this yearοΏ½s conference uniquely focused, to a large degree, on Republican lawmakers who are extremely influential with this Republican Administration.  They heard the concerns of conference participants and pledged to work with our community to begin to change the AdministrationοΏ½s position regarding the Annan plan and Cyprus.  οΏ½Very significant, behind-the-scenes steps will soon be taken οΏ½ so significant that we can see a light at the end of the tunnel and America backing away from their unproductive position,οΏ½ said CEH leaders.
These influential Republicans included: the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations CommitteeοΏ½s European Affairs Subcommittee, and possible candidate for President of the United States, Senator George Allen (R-VA); the Chairman of the House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, which controls over $17 billion in U.S. foreign aid appropriated every year, Congressman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ); the possible next Chair of the House International Relations Committee, and current Chair of the Middle East and Central Asia Subcommittee, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL); the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations CommitteeοΏ½s Near Eastern & South Asian Affairs Subcommittee, Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-RI); the Chair of the Small Business Committee and member of the Select Intelligence and Finance Committees, Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME); the Chairman of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Congressman Harold Rogers (R-KY); and the Chairman of the Commerce and Trade Subcommittee, Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-FL).
Other International Relations Committee Members who participated in this important effort for Cyprus included: the Ranking Democrat of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee (and the third-ranking member of the House Democratic Leadership) Congressman Robert Menendez (D-NJ); the Ranking Democrat on the Human Rights Subcommittee, Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ); the Ranking Democrat on the International Terrorism and Nonproliferation Subcommittee, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA); Europe Subcommittee members, Representatives Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI); and Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY), who also serves as a member of the House Democratic Leadership.

Others who met with conference participants included: the Ranking Democrat of the influential House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY); the former Chairman and current Ranking Democrat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee (which controls the expenditure of over $800 billion every year), Congressman David Obey (D-WI), and committee members Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH); the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, Congressman Mike Bilirakis (R-FL) and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY); brothers Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL); House Armed Services Committee and Homeland Security Committee member, Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI); and Hellenic Caucus members, Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
Participants also held in-depth strategy sessions with the leaders of Hellenic efforts in the U.S. Senate, Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) οΏ½ who is the Ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations CommitteeοΏ½s International Economic Policy Subcommittee and Ranking Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee οΏ½ and Senator Snowe (R-ME).  Other key Senators who discussed the future of Cyprus with participants included: from the crucial Senate Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD); from the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); from the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI); and strong supporter, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
-- Administration --
For one hour, conference participants held an in-depth discussion with former National Security Council Director for Aegean Affairs, and newly-appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, Matt Bryza.  As well, the State Department Director for Southern European Affairs, Scott Marciel, and the former Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, Marc Grossman, participated in the conference banquet.