[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1704 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 1704

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                      December 8, 2010.
Whereas in 490 BC, Athenian warriors defeated foreign invaders and won against 
        overwhelming odds in one of the most significant battles in human 
        history;
Whereas the Athenian victory helped continue the development of a new form of 
        government called ``democracy'';
Whereas according to legend, a messenger named Phidippides ran from the 
        battlefield of Marathon, Greece, to Athens 26 miles away to carry news 
        of the victory and it is said, that upon delivering the news to the 
        citizens of Athens, Phidippides died from exhaustion;
Whereas Phidippides' run inspired the spiritual origin of what has become the 
        sport of marathoning;
Whereas the first official marathon race was introduced in the first modern 
        Olympics in 1896 held in Athens, Greece;
Whereas officials from the Boston Athletic Association brought the long distance 
        Olympic running event to Boston, Massachusetts, where it has been run 
        annually since 1897;
Whereas a ceremony took place in Marathon, Greece, in 2007 at the Tomb of the 
        Athenians, the burial cite of the Greek warriors who gave their lives 
        defending their country;
Whereas this ceremony created the symbolic Flame of Marathon that embodies the 
        strength of the human spirit, fair competition, and peace;
Whereas Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and Marathon, Greece, have a twin-city 
        relationship, the Flame of Marathon traveled from Marathon, Greece, and 
        was presented to the Town of Hopkinton in 2008;
Whereas the Flame of Marathon has burned continuously in Hopkinton, 
        Massachusetts, since its arrival in the United States;
Whereas the Flame of Marathon reminds us of the sacrifice of the United States 
        Armed Forces and their families, the defenders of democracy;
Whereas the 35th Marine Corps Marathon received the Flame of Marathon as part of 
        its celebration of the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon; and
Whereas the Flame of Marathon was displayed at events leading to and including 
        the Marine Corps Marathon in view of 30,000 runners who embodied the 
        marathon spirit as they ran through Washington, DC: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives joins with the Greek Embassy in 
Washington, DC, the people of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, the people of Marathon, 
Greece, and the hundreds of thousands of runners participating in marathons 
throughout the United States, in celebrating the 2500th anniversary of the 
Battle of Marathon, Greece, one of the most significant battles in human 
history.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.