[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 27 (Friday, March 11, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on 
the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of the Senate 
joint resolution (S.J. Res. 162) designating March 25, 1994, as ``Greek 
Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American 
Democracy,'' and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate joint resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I do not 
object, but I would just simply like to inform the House that the 
minority has no objection to the legislation now being considered.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be able to rise to speak on the occasion 
of this commemorative which marks a day of tremendous historical 
significance for Americans and all who revere the blessings which a 
democratic way of life have afforded us. On March 25, Greece will 
celebrate the 173d anniversary of its declaration of independence from 
foreign domination. We revere and honor the contribution that Greek 
civilization has made to the democratic tradition.
  The cause of Greek independence and the adherence of the Greek nation 
to the path of democracy and true respect for the will of the people to 
determine their political course has always been dear to the hearts of 
democrats--and I say that word with a small d--everywhere. We remember 
that the great romantic poet Lord Byron gave his life for this cause 
during the tumultuous revolt of the Greeks against their Ottoman 
overlords. The cause of democracy in Greece continues to be a matter of 
interest and concern for us here today.
  In particular, we in America are gratified by Greece's role as a 
close American ally, the contribution that the Greek-American community 
makes to this country--and we only have to look around this Chamber to 
see our Members of Greek heritage with whom I know we are all proud to 
serve--and Greece's role in Europe, where it now holds the important 
position as the President of the European Union.
  I hope that all Members of this House will join me in sponsoring the 
resolution of the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Bilirakis], House Joint 
Resolution 310, which commemorates Greek Independence Day, and I 
applaud that gentleman for his efforts in this cause.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, as the principal sponsor of the House 
companion measure to this bill, I would like to express my deep 
gratitude particularly to Chairman Sawyer of the Census and Population 
Subcommittee for bringing this measure to the floor in such an 
expeditious manner.
  I would also like to thank John Myers, ranking Republican on that 
subcommittee, and Chairman Clay of the Post Office and Civil Service 
Committee in this regard.
  March 25 is a very special day to Greek-Americans and those who 
practice the Greek Orthodox faith--as well as freedom-loving people 
everywhere, really. This year, it marks both the 173d anniversary of 
the independence of Greece and its role as the wellspring of democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a magnificent thing to see so many people the 
world over turning to democratic movements in the wake of fallen or 
overthrown dictatorships and tyrannies. The practice of democratic 
government, first seen in Athens in 510 B.C., is being sought out and 
implemented around the world, expanding the frontier of freedom farther 
and farther every day.
  Those democratic movements owe a great debt of gratitude to the 
ancient Greeks such as Aristotle and Polybius, who were democracy's 
pioneers, as do we here in this Nation. I am never more proud of my own 
Greek heritage--or of being an American--than on days such as this one.
  As those ancient Greeks forged the very notion of democracy, placing 
the ultimate power to govern in the hands of the people themselves, the 
spirit of March 25, Greek Independence Day, lives on in its defense. 
Over the course of history, many of the free world's people have given 
their lives in that defense.
  I thank all of the colleagues here today for passing this legislation 
in commemoration of the democratic heritage that all of us share and 
which is shared by the United States and Greece.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the Senate joint resolution, as follows:

                             S.J. Res. 162

       Whereas the ancient Greeks developed the concept of 
     democracy, in which the supreme power to govern was vested in 
     the people;
       Whereas the Founding Fathers of the United States drew 
     heavily upon the political experience and philosophy of 
     ancient Greece in forming the representative democracy of the 
     United States;
       Whereas these and other ideals have forged a close bond 
     both between the United States and Greece and between their 
     peoples;
       Whereas March 25, 1994, marks the 173rd anniversary of the 
     beginning of the revolution that freed Greek people from the 
     Ottoman Empire and enabled the reestablishment of democracy 
     in Greece; and
       Whereas it is proper and desirable to celebrate that 
     anniversary with the Greek people and to reaffirm the 
     democratic principles from which the United States Greece 
     were born: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That March 
     25, 1994, is designated as ``Greek Independence Day: A 
     National Day of Celebration of Greek and American 
     Democracy'', and the President is authorized and requested to 
     issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United 
     States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and 
     activities.

  The Senate joint resolution was ordered to be read a third time, was 
read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on 
the table.

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