[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 38 (Tuesday, April 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     GREEK INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY

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                               speech of

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 23, 1994

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, March 25, 1994, marks the anniversary of 
the beginning of Greek independence. One hundred and seventy three 
years ago, the revolution which freed the Greeks from the Ottoman 
empire began. For the past 7 years, Congress has passed and the 
President has signed into law, resolutions commemorating March 25 as 
``Greek Independence Day--a National Celebration of Greek and American 
Democracy.''
  The celebration of Greek independence is especially significant to 
Americans because of the rich democratic traditions that both the 
United States and Greece share. In fact, Thomas Jefferson credits 
ancient Greece as America's role model for democracy: ``to the ancient 
Greeks * * * we are all indebted for the light which led ourselves 
[American Colonists] out of Gothic darkness.'' In addition, James 
Madison and Alexander Hamilton wrote, ``Among the confederacies of 
antiquity the most considerable was that of the Grecian Republics * * * 
From the best accounts transmitted of this celebrated institution it 
bore a very instructive analogy to the present confederation of the 
American States.''
  As it was then, so remains the close kinship that exists between 
Americans and Greeks. Today, Greece continues to be one of the United 
States' most consistent allies in the world. She is among one of only 
three nations that was allied with the United States in every major 
international conflict during this century. Indeed, over 60,000 Greeks, 
9 percent of Greece's total population at the time, died fighting on 
the side of the allies in World War II. For their struggle against the 
Communist rebels, they received effusive praise from both Presidents 
Truman and Eisenhower.
  It is with great pleasure that I rise to commemorate Greek 
Independence Day. As Americans, we are proud of the many values that we 
share with Greek society and the debt we owe to the ancient Greeks for 
our system of government.

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