[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 22 (Thursday, March 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           A STORY OF AMERICA

                                 ______


                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 1994

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a woman, a 
Greek immigrant, one who came to our shores from abroad like so many 
others and made this Nation her own. Though she may not have been 
regarded by others as great--she was a part of what makes America 
great.
  Elleni Brazas Rigas, 91 years old when she died, mother of my good 
friend, John Rigas, never was elected to high office, never had a 
parade in her honor, never had a speech made about her accomplishments.
  However, she arose every day and lived her life honorably and with 
dignity. She was, in short, what has been the strength of America since 
its founding: a good citizen. She was a thread in the strong fabric of 
our Nation. She saw this country plainly--and she told her story.
  Months before her death, she was asked by her family to share the 
wisdom gained in nearly a century of life. She left this story in the 
form of a poem, written in Greek as a message to her grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer it here, translated into English: A story of a 
family, but also a story of America from one who obviously knew her 
well.

     We came to America
       Because our country was poor.
     It was not only we who came to live here all by ourselves.
     All the Greeks and all the other nationalities that came here
       Came to live
       And to help the people back in their homelands
       Because they were poor.

     And that's why we came here.

     And we said that this country is better to live in
       But we did not forget our village
       We did not forget our church
       We did not forget our own people.

     We have lived here many years
       And still
       We have not forgotten our own people.

     Where we walked
       We remember every step.

     We love America
       And so we have two countries.

     We love America.
       We got our citizenship papers
       And we became part of the American family.

     We raised a family in America
       An outstanding family.
       Our children were so good in school and everywhere.

     And that's why we are proud.
       That's why.

     Here where we came
       We found very good people.
       Very good people.
       We found good Americans and good Greeks.

     We found families
       Very good families.
       And we saw their goodness
       And we grew up together.

     And we bless and praise God.
       And all we wish
       Is that they may always be blessed.

     I had good children
       Good daughters-in-law
       Good sons-in-law
       The finest of grandchildren.

     Our children were outstanding.
       They went to good schools
       And had the best of reputations.

     And we are proud

     And very fulfilled

     And very blessed.

                          ____________________