[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

 Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, today I would like to reaffirm my 
support for Senate Joint Resolution 162, which designates March 25, 
1994, as ``Greek Independence Day.'' It is an honor for me to be among 
the cosponsors of this resolution commemorating the struggle of the 
Greek people against foreign domination.
  As many generations of Americans have looked back to the model of 
ancient Greek democracy for inspiration, today's Americans can take 
pride in celebrating modern Greek democracy. When Greece was fighting 
for its liberation exactly 173 years ago, volunteers from all over 
Europe flocked to its defense. It is difficult to find another cause in 
modern history more fervently advocated by people supporting democracy 
and the rule of law.
  In the same enterprising spirit as our Greek allies, the United 
States has also grown into a stable and prosperous democracy. Today is 
an occasion to acknowledge the strong ties of mutual trust and 
understanding which have been woven between Athens and Washington, and 
between countless Greek villages and towns with towns throughout the 
United States. Let us not forget that the democratic national 
undertakings in both Greece and the United States were once regarded 
with skepticism in other parts of the world and their peaceful 
development was frequently questioned.
  The ideals of the Athenian Republic provided the intellectual 
foundation for the Framers of our Constitution. Socrates, Plato, and 
countless other figures from Greek history furnished us with invaluable 
models as well as an enlightened patriotism. Americans will always be 
in debt to Greece for the inspiration she has given to us through the 
arts, science, and politics.
  It is less well known that the Greek patriots we are honoring today 
honored the United States by translating our Declaration of 
Independence as a model for the Greek Declaration of Independence. 
Greece also played an important role in standing up against communism 
after World War II. Furthermore, even though Greece lost 600,000 
citizens from the fighting in World War II, Greece is an ally that has 
supported the United States in every major conflict in this century.
  Sizable immigration from Greece to the United States has brought an 
abundant wealth of talent to our country. Greek-Americans have been a 
positive impact in every sector of American society. Greek-Americans 
have not only maintained many of their important traditions in the 
United States but also made many of these customs part of Americana. In 
addition, Greece has given the world the Olympic Games. The principles 
of hospitality and fair and friendly competition have provided an 
avenue for countries of the world to realize that we all share the same 
goals.
  Since gaining its independence, Greece has become a prosperous and 
reliable partner of the United States. As a country firmly anchored in 
the European Union and the NATO alliance, Greece bears a significant 
responsibility for the stable development of the eastern Mediterranean. 
It is important that the United States and Greece work together to end 
the violence in the former Yugoslavia and promote tolerance and 
political dialog with all the interested parties.
  As the Greek merchants of antiquity helped spread their goods and 
civilization across the Mediterranean, modern-day Greece is a country 
that the newly democratic nations of the world can look toward for 
inspiration. In a world of great turmoil, people everywhere can also 
look to the history of Greece for strength and guidance.
  Finally, let me once more commend the Greek patriots who bravely 
fought for democracy and have laid the cornerstone for understanding 
between countries of the world.

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