[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. BROWN. Mr. President, every year since 1986 Congress has 
passed a resolution celebrating March 25th as Greek Independence Day. 
The importance of this day should not go unnoticed. I would like to 
take this opportunity to commemorate this occasion.
  The links between Greece and the United States grow stronger every 
year. During the early 1900's, one in every four Greek males emigrated 
to the United States. These Greek-Americans, with their emphasis on 
family and education, became an extremely successful and vital part of 
America's culture. Greece is one of only three nations in the world 
allied with the United States in every major international conflict in 
this century. Over 600,000 Greeks, nearly 9 percent of the Greek 
population, died fighting on the side of the Allies in World War II. 
Immediately following World War II, Greece was forced into yet another 
war, struggling against the communist rebels. Upon the defeat of the 
communists, President Eisenhower said of Greece,

       Greece asked no favor except the opportunity to stand for 
     those rights which it believed, and it gave to the world an 
     example of battle--a battle that thrilled the hearts of all 
     free men and free women everywhere.

  March 25, 1994 marks the 173d anniversary of the beginning of the 
revolution which freed the Greek people from the Ottoman Empire. During 
the reign of the Ottoman Empire, which lasted for almost 400 years, 
Greeks were deprived of many civil and human rights that for centuries 
had been a part of daily life in Greece. Schools and churches were 
closed, young boys were kidnapped and raised to serve the Sultan. The 
revolution that ultimately ended this occupation began in 1821 with a 
Greek declaration of independence. Many volunteers from various U.S. 
cities sailed to Greece to participate in the war for independence.
  Greek success in defeating the Ottoman Empire and re-establishing 
democracy is an important accomplishment not only for Greece, but for 
the rest of the free world. March 25th represents the defeat of an 
oppressive state and the revival of a democracy that began 2000 years 
ago. In addition to inspiring us, the ancient Greeks offered us a 
warning about the fragile nature of democracy and freedom. Polybius, 
writing about the cycles and evolution of governments, warned that 
democracies tended to break down, overwhelmed by self-interest and 
greed.
  Edward Gibbon, writing of the ancient Athenians, put the same warning 
this way:

       In the end, more than they wanted freedom, they wanted 
     security. When Athenians finally wanted not to give to 
     society, but for the society to give to them; when the 
     freedom they wished for most was the freedom from 
     responsibility, then Athens ceased to be free.

  I commend the wisdom and insight of these comments. We extend our 
congratulations again to this nation that was truly the birthplace of 
western democracy.

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