[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 36 (Friday, March 25, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, today marks the 173d anniversary of Greek 
independence from the Turkish Ottoman Empire, and I am honored to be a 
sponsor of the resolution designating today as Greek Independence Day: 
A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.
  On this occasion, we are reminded again of the Greek people's long 
struggle to free their Nation from the tyranny of imperialism and 
restore democracy. The United States is proud of its strong, historic, 
and current ties with Greece, and I am confident that we will continue 
to maintain such ties in the years ahead.
  We are especially mindful today of the continuing tragedy on the 
island of Cyprus and the ongoing efforts to bring a just settlement to 
that continuing controversy. At a time when many of the world's other 
seemingly intractable conflicts are being resolved, a lasting political 
settlement based on the legitimate rights of both the Greek and Turkish 
communities must also be reached on Cyprus.
  Greece's concerns about the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 
also deserve our attention. I have joined many others in urging the new 
republic to eliminate the provisions of its constitution that suggest 
expansionist aspirations, and to discontinue the use of symbols that 
are unique to Greek history. It is my hope that the new republic will 
do so as soon as possible, so that this unfortunate dispute can be 
ended and these two Nations can live together in peace.
  On this important anniversary, I join all those of Greek ancestry in 
celebrating their extraordinary heritage and their contributions to the 
United States.

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