This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Parthenon Marbles , currently held by the British Museum, should be returned to Greece. It asserts that these sculptures, an integral part of the Parthenon temple, were removed under questionable circumstances by Lord Elgin between 1801 and 1816 while Greece was under Ottoman rule. The resolution emphasizes the Marbles' profound significance as a preeminent symbol of Greek cultural heritage and a universal emblem of democracy and freedom. The resolution calls upon the Government of the United Kingdom to engage in negotiations with Greece to facilitate their return. It argues that returning the Marbles would be a profound demonstration of respect for classical art and a gesture of goodwill, setting no legal precedent for other museum objects. Greece has consistently sought their return since obtaining independence and has demonstrated its capacity for superior care through the New Acropolis Museum, which already displays related artifacts.