[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 35 (Friday, February 24, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S3134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        SENATE RESOLUTION 79--RELATIVE TO GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. SPECTER (for himself, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. D'Amato, and Mr. Simon) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 79

       Whereas, the ancient Greeks developed the concept of 
     democracy, in which the supreme power to govern was invested 
     in the people;
       Whereas, the Founding Fathers of the United States of 
     America drew heavily upon the political experience and 
     philosophy of ancient Greece in forming our representative 
     democracy;
       Whereas, these and other ideals have forged a close bond 
     between our two nations and their peoples;
       Whereas, March 25, 1995 marks the 174th anniversary of the 
     beginning of the revolution which freed the Greek people from 
     the Ottoman Empire; and
       Whereas, it is proper and desirable to celebrate with the 
     Greek people, and to reaffirm the democratic principles from 
     which our two great nations were born: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate of the United States of America 
     assembled, that March 25, 1995 is designated as ``Greek 
     Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and 
     American Democracy.'' The President is requested to issue a 
     proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to 
     observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

 Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, today I am submitting along with 
Senators Lautenberg, D'Amato, and Simon a resolution to designate March 
25, 1995, as ``Greek Independence Day: A Celebration of Greek and 
American Democracy.''
  One hundred and seventy-four years ago, the Greeks began the 
revolution that would free them from the Ottoman Empire and return 
Greece to is democratic heritage. It was, of course, the ancient Greeks 
who developed the concept of democracy in which the supreme power to 
govern was vested in the people. Our Founding Fathers drew heavily upon 
the political and philosophical experience of ancient Greece in forming 
our representative democracy. Thomas Jefferson proclaimed that, ``to 
the ancient Greeks * * * we are all indebted for the light which led 
ourselves out of Gothic darkness.'' It is fitting, then, that we should 
recognize the anniversary of the beginning of their efforts to return 
to that democratic tradition.
  The democratic form of government is only one of the most obvious of 
the many benefits we have gained from the Greek people. The ancient 
Greeks contributed a great deal to the modern world, particularly to 
the United States of America, in the areas of art, philosophy, science, 
and law. Today, Greek-Americans continue to enrich our culture and make 
valuable contributions to American society, business, and government.
  It is my hope that strong support for this resolution in the Senate 
will serve as a clear goodwill gesture to the people of Greece with 
whom we have enjoyed such a close bond throughout history. Similar 
resolutions have been signed into law each of the past several years, 
with overwhelming support in both the House of Representatives and the 
Senate. Accordingly, I urge my Senate colleagues to join me in 
supporting this important resolution.


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