[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1609-S1610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of calendar item No. 340, Senate 
Resolution 219.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the resolution.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 219) designating March 25, 1996, as 
     ``Greek Independence Day: a national day of celebration of 
     Greek and American Democracy.''

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to 
the resolution be placed at the appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  So the resolution (S. Res. 219) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

                              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.

[[Page S1610]]



                 MEASURE READ THE FIRST TIME--H.R. 497

  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I would inquire of the Chair if H.R. 497 
has arrived from the House of Representatives.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The bill is at the desk.
  Mr. D'AMATO. Therefore, I ask for its first reading.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the bill for the first 
time.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 497) to create the National Gambling Impact 
     and Policy Commission.

  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I now ask for its second reading.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  The bill will remain on the calendar.

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