[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S15843]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   GOVERNOR LEAVITT'S DECLARATION REGARDING GREEK-AMERICAN VETERANS 
                           APPRECIATION WEEK

  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I rise today to have printed in the 
Record a Declaration signed by Governor Mike Leavitt of Utah entitled: 
``Greek-American Veterans Appreciation Week, November 5-November 12, 
1995.''
  During the week of November 5th, the Hellenic Cultural Association in 
Utah is sponsoring a series of events which include a variety of 
displays in the Hellenic Cultural Museum, Memorial Services and a 
Greek-American Veterans' Luncheon.
  The events have been created to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of 
the ending of World War II and also for the annual observance of 
Veterans Day, November 11th.
  I salute the Greek Community in Utah for this effort. To my knowledge 
they are the only Greek Community in America which is honoring their 
veterans in this way.
  I extend my appreciation, support and gratitude to Chris S. Metos, 
Chairman of the appreciation week. I applaud him for his leadership in 
this endeavor.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the declaration be printed 
in the Record.
  There being no objection, the declaration was ordered to be printed 
in the Record, as follows:

                              Declaration

       Whereas, ancient Greece is universally recognized as the 
     cradle of Western Civilization, and America historically has 
     close affinities with the ideals exemplified in the Legacy of 
     Ancient Greece and, more recently, with modern Greece; and
       Whereas, the tiny country of Greece fought valiantly 
     against overwhelming Axis forces in World War I and World War 
     II and thus contributed mightily to ultimate victory of the 
     Allied countries; and
       Whereas, immigrants to America from Greece and their 
     descendants have established themselves as hard working, law 
     abiding, patriotic, progressive American citizens; and
       Whereas, Greek-Americans from the State of Utah have 
     responded enthusiastically to the call for active military 
     and merchant marine duty when needed by the United States; 
     and
       Whereas, thirty-five Greek-Americans from the State of Utah 
     made the supreme sacrifice for their country in World War I, 
     World War II and the Korean Conflict; and
       Whereas, Greek-American veterans returning to civilian life 
     have been highly productive in their chosen careers and 
     professions, including business, medicine, law, engineering, 
     education, etc., whereby the community, state, and nation 
     have benefited greatly and will continue to benefit from 
     their high qualities of leadership, work ethic, love and 
     devotion to family, church and country; and
       Whereas, Greek-American veterans of the armed forces and 
     merchant marines of the United States and Greece are 
     gathering at the Hellenic Memorial Cultural Center in Salt 
     Lake City, Utah, Sunday, November 12, 1995, to honor their 
     fallen comrades, to meet socially as a group, to affirm their 
     faith, love and loyalty to the United States and to the 
     Constitution; and
       Whereas, the Hellenic Cultural Association-Hellenic 
     Cultural Museum, a non-sectarian, independent, cultural 
     organization seeks to honor these Greek-American veterans and 
     their fallen comrades by sponsoring memorial services, museum 
     tours, displays, and a Greek-American Veterans Appreciation 
     Luncheon, Sunday, November 12, 1995, in Salt Lake City;
       Now, Therefore, I, Michael O. Leavitt, Governor of the 
     State of Utah, do hereby declare November 5 through 12, 1995, 
     as Greek-American Veterans Appreciation Week in Utah, to be 
     dedicated to the preservation of the Legacy of Greek and of 
     American ideals, leadership, patriotism and citizenship as 
     exemplified by the Greek-American veterans of the military 
     and merchant marine forces of the United States and Greece.
                                               Michael O. Leavitt,
     Governor.

                          ____________________