District: Nevada’s 1st Congressional District
(Las Vegas)

Committee/Leadership Assignments: House Ways and Means Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee, including positions on the European and Middle East Subcommittee

Contact: Tel: (202) 225-5965, (702) 220-9823;
Fax: (202) 225-3119, (702) 220-9841

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Regarding the state of the US economy, what are the prospects for recovery, and how soon?

America’s economy continues to face challenges that have tested my community of Las Vegas and others all across our nation, but I remain optimistic we will continue to see signs of a slow, but growing recovery. Macro-economic indicators have been improving steadily over the last 18 months, and data related to jobs has been improving on the national level. However, we face continuing global economic challenges such as the European Union debt crisis and trade imbalances that affect growth prospects on both sides of the Atlantic. While job losses in some parts of the U.S. have slowed dramatically and modest economic improvements are taking place, we have yet to see a broad return among many economic sectors, and results of growth are not evenly spread across the nation.

For instance, my Congressional District, which includes the famed Las Vegas Strip, continues to struggle with unemployment, foreclosures and the slow return of our travel and tourism based economy. My home State of Nevada relies on tourism as its economic engine, and until the economy improves in other parts of the U.S. and overseas, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Reno and other destinations in our State are likely to experience only a limited recovery in the short term.

Congress must do more to spur economic growth through smart tax policy, developing new economic growth engines such as alternative energy technologies, and maintaining the infrastructure investments that are creating jobs now and for the future. While Congress has passed significant legislation along these lines, we must continue to make progress on a variety of additional economic recovery efforts. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I remain focused on reducing taxes, encouraging entrepreneurship and fostering new business investments.

What are some of the particular challenges that you are facing in your district?

Nevada continues to lead the nation in foreclosures and unemployment stands at 14% in the Las Vegas Valley, so jobs and helping families stay in their homes are my top priorities in Congress. Last year’s Recovery Act helped keep teachers on the job in my State and put thousands to work building and improving roads and highways, but the overall effect was a limited shot in the arm. I am also working to ensure that banks and lending institutions work with America’s homeowners to renegotiate loans and modify mortgages so even more families don’t lose their homes, especially those who have also lost a job.

Las Vegas is known around the world for its glittering resorts and 24-hour entertainment. One of the best ways Americans can help our economic recovery is to travel, and to visit Southern Nevada and enjoy all that it has to offer. And of course, we love international visitors from Greece and everywhere else, so I hope NEO readers will vacation or attend a convention or trade show in Las Vegas and remind all their friends and relatives that it’s a good deal and they will have a great time, I promise.

What would you say is the state of our democracy in these challenging and unusually polarized times?

Each generation of Americans passes on our tradition of democracy to the next, and while we continue to see sharp differences on many policy issues that affect our nation, the foundations of this remarkable system of governing remain strong. Congress has its role to play, along with the White House, the courts and the private sector. State and local governments make important policies that affect the lives of families and businesses, while working at the same time to administer federal programs and to utilize resources such as federal funding for education, infrastructure, public safety and economic development.

This cooperation and the two-way exchange between local communities and the federal government are a hallmark of American democracy and are woven into the very fabric of our nation. Americans maintain a shared commitment to opportunity, equality and liberty for all and our democratic principles enable the voice of the people to be heard in the halls of Congress, by the President of the United States and by elected leaders at every level. We are stronger as a result of our diversity which depends on democratic ideals born of the ancient Greek societies who laid down the foundation for so much of how we govern to this day.

In addition, I believe the increased flow of information is good for democracy, but at the same time, given the newness of our forms of communication, it also creates challenges on issues of perspective and accuracy. But in the long run, I believe new electronic media will create greater freedoms and stronger democracies.

In various polls conducted throughout the U.S. Congress hasn't fared well with the American people. Why is that, in your opinion, and how do you address this issue as Congressman?

The state of the economy continues to affect how Americans view Congress and I understand the frustration felt by those who are unemployed, businesses struggling just to pay the bills and homeowners who have been hit by the foreclosure wave. American troops remain on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan and we are witnessing growing tensions with Iran and North Korea that threaten to further undermine global stability. As a Congresswoman, I seek opportunities to provide incentives to create new jobs and to give small businesses assistance so they can grow. Tax relief for families helps put money in the pockets of Americans at a time when they are stretching every dollar.

I am back home in Las Vegas every weekend so I can be in my community, talking with those I represent and letting them know I understand how hard things are during these challenging times. I also use these opportunities to emphasize what I am doing to help with the economy and to keep our nation safe. I strongly believe every Member of Congress needs to clearly articulate a deep appreciation of the national and international problems we face. I work to communicate on a regular basis with my fellow citizens, using the media and social networks like Twitter and Facebook to let them know I am working as hard as I can on the every day issues that affect their lives.

Would you encourage more active voter participation in your decision making as Congressman, using the advances of technology, like the Internet and other forms of communication?

The Internet is a daily part of life for many of my constituents. This valuable tool provides me with an expanding array of opportunities to engage those I represent, to inform them about my work in Congress and to solicit feedback that allows me to better serve their needs. In addition to my official website, www.berkley.house.gov, I also maintain Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages that provide useful information and serve as forums for my constituents to weigh in on topics important to them. I also use tele-townhalls to keep in touch over the telephone with people back home and to obtain their input on critical issues when I am working 2,500 miles away from Nevada in our nation’s capital. I regularly encourage my constituents to take advantage of these new media outlets to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in Congress and to share their comments, questions and concerns with me.

How did you become interested in the Greek-American community, and who introduced you to them?

Actually, it was the other way around. My grandmother came to the U.S. from Salonica, Greece, and I have always considered myself a daughter of Greece. So I sought out the Greek-American community due to my allegiance to my heritage and have made friends for life with my fellow Greek-Americans. I have taken every opportunity to travel to Greece, to meet with Greek leaders, to enjoy the wonderful culture and gain understanding of the challenges that face the great nation of Greece. I continue to serve as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including positions on the European and Middle East Subcommittees. I also have the privilege of serving in my third year as the U.S. Chair of the Transatlantic Legislators Dialogue (TLD). A major focus of the TLD is transatlantic economic policy. TLD participants from Congress and the European Parliament meet twice annually, once in the host city of the EU Presidency and once in U.S., and work together to form actions plans designed to boost the economies of the U.S. and EU.

What are your thoughts on the Cyprus issue and what are some of the things you've done to support settlement efforts?

The continued Turkish occupation of Cyprus is unconscionable. The Turkish government has assigned thousands of armed troops and transported thousands of Turkish citizens to occupy the peaceful island nation of Cyprus for 36 years. Then the Turkish government has the gall to hypocritically criticize Israel for their self-defensive actions against the Hamas terrorists in Gaza. I have signed on to countless resolutions and letters calling on the Turks to end their illegal occupation of Cyprus and to agree to a settlement that provides for a single, unified government by the Cypriots and for the Cypriots, without any foreign intervention. Nothing less than that will bring justice and security to Cyprus. I have see in person the disastrous results of the Turk occupation. It is totally unjustified and I stand shoulder to shoulder with all Cypriots.

Do you consider Turkish provocations in the Aegean a threat to regional stability and international peace? Also, what actions have you taken or do you plan to take to encourage the US to take a stronger stance against this kind of irresponsible behavior?

I am deeply concerned about the direction Turkey is heading today. Since the rise of Prime Minister Erdogan and his AK Party, we have seen Turkey shift markedly toward the fundamentalist Arab and Islamic worlds, even siding with the bloodthirsty, anti-Semitic, anti-Western Iranian regime against the most recent UN Security Council sanctions. I began to notice this shift when Turkey – ostensibly a NATO ally – refused to allow our troops to enter Turkey during the Iraq War. So I am watching their most recent actions in the Aegean very closely. It is absolutely essential Turkey avoid raising further tensions, which they can do by simply renouncing the politics of hatred that plague the region.

Are you aware of the state persecution against the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey and what have you done to address this issue in Congress?

I have worked very hard to bring more attention to the issue of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Turkey must grant religious freedom and property rights to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and re-open the Theological School at Halki. This would show their commitment to religious freedom. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of H.Res. 236, which calls on Turkey to take those necessary steps, which they unfortunately still have refused to do.

Since the Bush Administration recognized FYROM as "Macedonia", the country has become more intransigent when it comes to territorial and cultural irredentism against Greece who is a major financial supporter in the region. What kind of action on the part of the US would you promote in order for a mutually acceptable solution to be facilitated?

The U.S. must insist that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) abide by the UN-brokered agreement with Greece. It is time they stopped teaching their children that parts of Greece are part of the FYROM, or that a “Greater Macedonia” extends many miles into Greece to Mount Olympus and even into Bulgaria. The U.S. should clearly condemn these actions and make it clear that the FYROM must abide by past agreements.