[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SENATE RESOLUTION 219--TO DESIGNATE GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. SPECTER (for himself, Mr. Simon, Mr. Dole, Mr. Lautenberg, Mrs. 
Boxer, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Heflin, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Grassley, 
Mr. Thurmond, Mr. Glenn, Mr. Bradley, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Reid, 
Mr. Mack, Ms. Moseley-Braun, Mr. Sarbanes, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Cohen, 
Mrs. Murray, Mr. Biden, Mr. Pressler, Mr. Levin, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Dodd, 
and Mr. Warner) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 219

       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 the founders of the modern Greek state modeled 
     their government after that of the United States in an effort 
     to best imitate their ancient democracy;
       Whereas Greece is one of only three nations in the world, 
     beyond the former British Empire, that has been allied with 
     the United States in every major international conflict this 
     century;;
       Whereas 1996 will mark the historic first official state 
     visit to the United States of an elected head of state of 
     Greece;
       Whereas these and other ideals have forged a close bond 
     between our two nations and their peoples;
       Whereas March 25, 1996 marks the 175th 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, That March 25, 1996 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 a resolution 
to designate March 25, 1996, as ``Greek Independence Day: A Celebration 
of Greek and American Democracy.''
  One hundred and seventy-five years ago, the Greeks began the 
revolution that would free them from the Ottoman Empire and return 
Greece to its 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 all 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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