Cohen was appointed to the Helsinki Commission by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi in 2011 . " Congressman Steve Cohen is a leader in promoting civil rights and opportunity of all Americans , and he brings this same passion to the promotion of human rights and democracy around the world , " Pelosi said . " The Helsinki Commission is a focal point for security and cooperation among nations and leaders , and Congressman Cohen 's voice is sure to strengthen and advance the commission 's work . " Although his family has no knowledge of any Turkish heritage , Cohen 's mother 's birth certificate states his maternal grandfather was born in Turkey when it was part of the Ottoman Empire . He is a member of the Congressional Caucus on US Turkish Relations and Turkish Americans . He has consistently opposed Congressional recognition of the Armenian Genocide on pragmatic grounds , believing that recognizing it officially in Congress would damage relations with Turkey
Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
Steve Cohen