[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 39 (Thursday, March 2, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S3432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

 Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise to support Senate 
Resolution 79, the resolution designating March 25, 1995, as Greek 
Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American 
Democracy. The resolution also asks the President to issue a 
proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
the designated day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
  March 25, 1995, marks the 174th anniversary of the beginning of the 
revolution which freed the Greek people from the Ottoman Empire. It is 
fitting that we celebrate this day together with Greece in order to 
reaffirm the common democratic heritage of Americans and Greeks.
  The ancient Greeks forged the very notion of democracy, placing the 
ultimate power to govern in the people. As Aristotle said, ``If liberty 
and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in 
democracy, they will best be attained when all persons alike share in 
the government to the utmost.''
  Because the concept of democracy was born in the age of the ancient 
Greeks, all Americans, whether or not of Greek ancestry, are kinsmen of 
a kind to the ancient Greeks. America's Founding Fathers drew heavily 
upon the political and philosophical experience of ancient Greece in 
forming our Government. For that contribution alone, we owe a heavy 
debt to the Greeks.
  The common heritage which we share has forged a close bond between 
Greece and the United States, and between our peoples. And it is 
reflected in the numerous contributions made by present-day Greek-
Americans in New Jersey and across the country to our American culture.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution as a tribute to these 
contributions, past and present, which have greatly enriched American 
life.


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