; Whereas, since obtaining independence in 1830, Greece has sought the return of the Parthenon Marbles; Whereas the return of the Parthenon Marbles would be a profound demonstration by the United Kingdom of its appreciation and respect for the Parthenon and classical art; Whereas returning the Parthenon Marbles to Greece would be a gesture of good will on the part of the British Parliament, and would set no legal precedent, nor in any other way affect the ownership or disposition of other objects in museums in the United States or around the world; Whereas the United Kingdom should return the Parthenon Marbles in recognition that the Parthenon is part of the cultural heritage of the entire world and, as such, should be made whole; Whereas Greece would provide care for the Parthenon Marbles equal or superior to the care provided by the British Museum, especially considering the irreparable harm caused by attempts by the museum to remove the original color and patina of the Marbles with abrasive cleaners; Whereas Greece opened the New Acropolis Museum in 2009 which houses the Marbles that were not removed to the United Kingdom by Lord Elgin and displays them alongside plaster replicas of the Marbles currently in the British Museum so visitors can see the entire frieze as it was designed around the Temple of Athena; Whereas it has been 200 years since the British Government voted to purchase the Marbles; Whereas the Greek Government has publicly supported working with the British Government in a diplomatic manner to negotiate mutually agreeable conditions for the return of the Parthenon Marbles; Whereas the people of Greece have a greater, ancient bond to the Parthenon Marbles, which were in Greece for over 2,200 years of the over 2,430-year history of the Parthenon; and Whereas British Members of Parliament across the political spectrum have supported legislation to authorize the return of the Marbles to Greece: Now, therefore, be it