[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 35 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY--A CELEBRATION OF AMERICAN AND GREEK DEMOCRACY

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to rise today in recognition 
of Greek Independence Day, which will be celebrated March 25, 1994. 
This is a special day set aside to reflect upon not only the liberation 
of Greece from the Ottoman Empire, but also the unique contributions 
Greek Americans have made to our culture and democratic political 
system.
  I had the opportunity to visit Athens for the first time the weekend 
of March 18-20 for the Standing Committee meeting of the North Atlantic 
Assembly. Being in Greece--even briefly--provides one with a sense of 
appreciation for the important role this country has played in 
developing the societies of the United States and all the western 
world. As Percy Bysshe Sheeley once said, ``We are all Greeks! Our 
laws, our literature, our religion, our art, have their roots in 
Greece.''
  March 25 marks the 173d anniversary of the beginning of the 
revolution which freed the Greeks from the Ottoman Empire. For the past 
7 years, the Congress has passed and the President has signed into law 
a resolution establishing a national day of celebration and remembrance 
of Greek independence.
  The unique experiment in democracy known as the United States of 
America served as the role model for Greek independence. The American 
Revolution became one of the models for the Greeks as they fought for 
their own independence in the 1820's. Greek intellectuals translated 
the American Declaration of Independence and used it as their own 
declaration. In this century, Greece is one of only three nations, 
beyond the former British Empire, to have been allied with the United 
States in every major international conflict. Over 600,000 Greeks died 
fighting with the allies during World War II--9 percent of the entire 
population of Greece at that time.
  I am proud to join my colleagues in recognizing Greek Independence 
Day and all the valuable contributions of Greek Americans like Senator 
Sarbanes, former Senator and Presidential candidate Paul Tsongas, 
Presidential Adviser George Stephanopoulos, and former Massachusetts 
Governor and Presidential candidate Michael Dukakis. These are only a 
few of the distinguished Greek American leaders who have come to 
symbolize the rich heritage of their ancestors.

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