[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 55 (Friday, March 24, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4564-S4565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  COMMEMORATING GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate Greek 
Independence Day--a national day of celebration of Greek and American 
democracy. Tomorrow, on March 25, 1995, all people of Greek descent 
will celebrate the 174th anniversary of the beginning of the revolution 
which freed the Greek people from the Ottoman Empire.
  A historic bond exists between Greece and America, forged by our 
shared democratic heritage. America is truly indebted to the ancient 
Greeks for giving the world the first example of direct democracy. As 
the solid stone of this neoclassically designed building provides a 
protected place for our own democratic government to flourish, the 
philosophical and democratic influences of the ancient Greeks provides 
the inspiration. It is therefore fitting that Members of this Chamber 
join in paying tribute to the long struggle for freedom that Greece 
endured.
  On March 25, 1821, when Germanos, the archbishop of Patros, 
proclaimed Greek independence, another link between Greece and the 
United States was forged. The American revolution served as a model for 
the Greek struggle for freedom and when the Declaration of 
Independence, translated into Greek, served as the declaration of the 
end of the Greek struggle, a circle was completed.
  The interconnection between Greek and American democracies lies not 
only in the philosophical underpinnings of our Government, but in many 
areas of American life. Percy Bysshe Shelley once said, ``We are all 
Greeks! Our laws, our literature, our religion, our art, have their 
roots in Greece.'' The tremendous influence that Greece has had on 
American life continues today through the activities of the vibrant 
Greek community in America. In every field--politics, entertainment, 
business, and education--Greek-Americans continue to contribute to 
American life.
  In particular, I wish to pay a tribute to the Greek-American 
community in New Jersey. Groups that are leaders in the New Jersey 
Greek community include: the Greek American Chamber of Commerce of New 
Jersey, the Greek American Voters League of New Jersey, the Hellenic 
American Bar Association of New Jersey, the Pan Gregorian Enterprises & 
Foundation, 
[[Page S4565]] P.G.E.I. of America Charitables Foundation, Inc., the 
Council Generals of Greek Cypriot, the Order of AHEPA and the Joint 
Public Policy Committee of Hellenic American Women. On behalf of these 
organizations, the Greek community in New Jersey and all Americans of 
Greek descent, I am honored to pay tribute, on behalf of the Nation, to 
the Greek community on the anniversary of their independence day.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I will use some of my leadership time to 
speak as if in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  

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