[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 55 (Friday, March 24, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S4530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     GREEK INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION

  Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, I rise once again to join the Greek 
American community as they celebrate the 174th anniversary of the 
beginning of their revolution for independence from under the yoke of 
the Ottoman Empire.
  I and 47 of my colleagues in the Senate jointed together to 
commemorate this historic event by cosponsoring Senate Resolution 79, a 
resolution commemorating March 25, 1994, as Greek Independence Day: A 
National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.
  From their first settlement in the 18th century in St. Augustine, FL, 
to one of the largest Greek communities in America, Astoria, NY, the 
Greek people have been an influential segment of American society. 
Their history, culture, language, religion, and of course native 
culinary artistry, have enriched all of America. Greece has contributed 
great things in the areas of arts, education, medicine, and philosophy, 
but no contribution was more precious than that of democracy.
  Born in Athens during the age of Pericles and nurtured in the United 
States, the principles of democracy are now being practiced throughout 
the world. This new wave of democracy, would never have come to 
fruition had it not been for Hellenistic political thought. We will 
always be indebted to Greece for giving us this most precious gift.


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