[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 20, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H2542-H2549]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. (Mr. Smith of Michigan). Under the Speaker's 
announced policy of May 12, 1995, the gentleman from Florida [Mr. 
Bilirakis] is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority 
leader.


                             general leave

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on my special order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening, as I have year after 
year at this time, to honor the heritage of freedom and democracy which 
reintroduced itself in Greece 175 years ago.
  Mr. Speaker, March 25 is Greek Independence Day. On that date in 
1821, after more than 400 years of Ottoman Turk domination, Greek 
freedom fighters returned sovereignty to Greece, and in so doing, 
reconnected themselves and their Greek brothers and sisters to their 
heritage.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman], who 
is a wonderful friend and has always been very much interested in the 
affairs of the Hellenes.
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to rise to speak on this 
occasion which marks a day of tremendous historical significance for 
Americans and all who revere the blessings which a democratic way of 
life have afforded us. I thank the gentleman from Florida [Mr. 
Bilirakis] for organizing this special order, and I want him to know 
how much we appreciate all his efforts in the House to keep Hellenic 
issues before us.
  On March 25, Greece will celebrate the 175th anniversary of its 
declaration of independence from foreign domination. We revere and 
honor the contributions that Greek civilization has made to democratic 
traditions.
  The cause of Greek independence and the adherence of the Greek nation 
to the path of democracy and true respect for the will of the people to 
determine their political course has always been dear to the hearts of 
democrats everywhere. We remember that the great Romantic poet, Lord 
Byron, gave his life for this cause during the tumultuous revolt of the 
Greeks against their Ottoman overlords, and the cause of democracy in 
Greece continues to be a matter of interest for us here today.
  In particular, we in America are gratified by Greece's role as a 
close American ally, and by the contribution that the Greek-American 
community makes to this country--and we only have to look around this 
chamber to see our members of Greek heritage with whom I know we are 
all proud to serve.
  Mr. Speaker, we look to Greece to continue to play the strong and 
responsible role it has played in assuring that the Aegean and eastern 
Mediterranean remain a region of peace and stability. I trust that our 
Government will also continue to support a free, prosperous and strong 
Greece. I urge my colleagues to join in wishing the people and 
Government of Greece our best wishes and heartfelt hopes for a bright 
future.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman so very, very much.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Pallone].
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by thanking Mr. Bilirakis 
for taking the lead in organizing what has now become an annual event: 
the celebration of Greek Independence Day here on the floor of the U.S. 
House of Representatives. I am honored to participate in this year's 
tribute, which will mark the 175th anniversary of Greek independence 
and the 10th consecutive year the Congress sends a resolution to the 
President's desk asking that March 25 be designated as a National day 
of celebration of Greek and American democracy. Looking around, I am 
pleased to see that many of the same faces who were here last year have 
returned to once again commemorate this historic event.
  You do not have to be a student of history to know that the United 
States and Greece will forever be connected to each other. We are all 
well aware of the fact that throughout history, our countries have 
turned to each other for advice on how best to shape our respective 
democracies.
  The roots of America's very existence, as Thomas Jefferson once 
observed, are grounded in the foundation of ancient Greece. ``To the 
ancient Greeks'' said Jefferson, ``we are all indebted for the light 
which lead ourselves [American colonists] out of Gothic darkness.''
  Conversely, the Greeks have long drawn inspiration from the American 
commitment to freedom. ``Having formed  the resolution to live or die 
for freedom,'' noted a former Greek Commander in Chief--Petros 
Mavromichalis--in an 1821 appeal to the citizens of the United States, 
``we are drawn toward you by a just sympathy since it is in your land 
that liberty has fixed her abode, and by you that she is prized as by 
our fathers.''
  There is no doubt that the substance behind these words has held in 
full since they were spoken 175 years ago. Time and again Greece has 
sent its sons and daughters to fight alongside our children in defense 
of democracy. Over 600,000 Greeks--or a staggering 9 percent of the 
entire Greek population--died fighting with the allies in World War II. 
Greece, moreover, is one of only three nations not part of the former 
British Empire that has been allied with the United States in every 
major international conflict this century.
  Today, through their high levels of education and steadfast 
commitment to hard work, Americans of Greek descent enrich our culture, 
better our lives, and strengthen the bond that connects our two 
countries. From

[[Page H2543]]

George Stephanopolous in the White House, to my colleagues of Greek 
descent here in the Congress, to the world's No. 1 ranked tennis player 
Pete Sampras, to the millions of Americans of Greek descent who get up 
and go to work everyday, it is clear that the ties that connect our 
countries remain vibrant and unique.
  And as we are here to pay tribute to Greek Independence Day, it would 
only be fitting for us in the Congress to reassure Greek-Americans, and 
Greek nationals, that we are committed to standing with them on those 
international disputes involving the sovereignty of Greek citizens and 
territories.
  We will continue to insist on Turkish compliance with all U.N. 
resolutions pertaining to the Cyprus conflict. We will, moreover, stand 
with Greece against all Turkish attempts to ignore international law 
and infringe upon Greek sovereignty, such as the incident earlier this 
year when Turkey laid claim to the Greek islet of Imia--a territory 
that was ceded to Greece by Italy under the terms of the Paris Peace 
Accords of 1947.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud that the Congress has established an annual 
event to celebrate Greek Independence Day. Greek-Americans and citizens 
of Greece alike have made invaluable contributions to American life and 
I congratulate them on 175 years of independence.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, and I particularly 
thank him for his declarations. I know he means those, and will stand 
behind them.
  As long as I have interrupted my own comments, Mr. Speaker, I will 
just continue and leave them interrupted, and yield to the gentleman 
from Cleveland, OH [Mr. Hoke].
  Mr. HOKE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for 
yielding to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman doing this.I had the pleasure 
of being actually not in Greece, but in an island very close to Greece 
this summer with the gentleman from Florida, and we had some great 
adventures. We, I think, presented the Greek Cypriot position quite 
articulately and persuasively to some of the Turkish Cypriot 
representatives, and I felt like I learned a great deal by being there, 
and I also was certainly honored to be there in the presence of the 
gentleman from Florida and other really committed, passionately 
committed Greek-Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, today is a day that we are celebrating with this special 
order this resolution where we have named March 25, 1996, as Greek 
Independence Day, a national day of celebration of Greek and American 
democracy.
  I guess what is really, I think, particularly appropriate and 
important to talk about is that we took over 200 years ago the example 
that Greece had set over 2,000 years ago as an example of how, under 
the rule of law, a disparate people living in far-flung city states at 
that time could be brought together in a confederation. And James 
Madison and Alexander Hamilton themselves also wrote in the Federalist 
Papers:

       Among the confederacies of antiquity, the most considerable 
     was that of the Grecian Republics. From the very best 
     accounts transmitted of this celebrated institution, it bore 
     a very instructive analogy to the present confederation of 
     the American States.

  That was written in 1787. That came full circle when in 1821 the 
Greek intellectuals translated our own Declaration of Independence and 
used it as their own declaration. What we found is that the freedom-
loving people of this country who founded this country, who emulated 
the freedom-loving people of Greece, and particularly in Greece, their 
commitment to a form of government which--I live the way Plato 
describes it in the Republic, he says ``Democracy is a delightful form 
of government. It is full of variety and disorder, and dispensing a 
kind of equality to equals and unequals alike.''
  If your spend any time at all on the floor of this House, you are 
immediately struck that we here are full of variety and disorder, and 
dispense a kind of equality to equals and unequals alike that Plato 
certainly would have been proud of, he would have recognized. Mr. 
Speaker, I think it is great that it came full circle, then, and the 
Greek intellectuals and the Greek freedom fighters of the 1820's used 
our declaration as their model.
  I also want to just recognize some Greek-Americans of national and 
international note before I close. There are some whose names will be 
very familiar: George Papanicolaou, who invented the Pap smear for 
cancer; Dr. George Gotsius, who developed L-dopa, to combat Parkinson's 
disease; in music, Maria Callas, the fabulous soprano, whose recording 
of the Rachmaninoff Vocalese is one of my most prized records; Peter 
Sampras, the No. 1 tennis player in the entire world.
  In government we have U.S. Senators Paul Sarbanes and our former 
colleague here, Olympia Snowe from Maine, and of course some very 
distinguished Members who just happen to be on the floor with me 
tonight; the gentleman from the great State of Pennsylvania, George 
Gekas, and the gentleman from Florida, Michael Bilirakis, and President 
Clinton's senior adviser, George Stephanopolous. I also particularly 
want to recognize a giant in the world of fashion, James Gallanos, who 
is a designer, and was the favorite designer of former First Lady Nancy 
Reagan.
  Mr. Speaker, we know there have been many, many Greek-Americans that 
have added a great deal. We know that the contributions of Greek-
Americans to this country have been extraordinary. There is one other 
thing that I came across as I prepared for this special order that I 
thought was particularly interesting. It really goes to show what it is 
that Greek-Americans value in their families.
  Greek-Americans became extremely successful in the United States in 
commerce, in trade, in many different areas. They recognized what my 
own grandfather recognized, who was not a Greek-American but was a 
Romanian-American, and that is that education is absolutely critically 
important to succeed in the United States of America, and education is 
in fact the great leveler. It is education that allows anybody to get 
ahead, anybody to achieve, and with education and hard work and a 
strong back and a will and determination, you can get ahead.
  What is remarkable to me, Mr. Speaker, is that according to the 
United States census data, the first Greeks who became United States 
citizens ranked only 18th out of 24 nationals in their median 
educational attainment, but by 1970, their children had leapt to number 
one among all American ethnic nationals regarding median educational 
attainment, which shows that, first, Greek-Americans clearly value 
education, they value the written word, they value the spoken word, 
they value learning; and second, that learning not only is a value in 
and of itself, but it propels people to the top, in spite of all 
obstacles, and certainly we have seen that in this Greek-American 
community.

                                  2200

  I am proud to be here, and I really appreciate the gentleman from 
Florida [Mr. Bilirakis] doing this every single year on Greek 
Independence Day. I am just glad to be able to be a part of it.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. I thank the gentleman. He has joined us every single 
year. He mentioned our trip to the island of Cyprus. We were the first 
Members of Congress, as I understand it, to go into the Turkish-
occupied territory, up into the enclave area. We led a number of 
Cypriot-Americans who were not Members of Congress, just regular 
grassroots people, on that trip and we learned so very, very much. It 
was an honor to have done it with the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Hoke].
  I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Gekas] for his 
remarks.
  Mr. GEKAS. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to make remarks about the theme upon which 
the gentleman from Ohio struck a note, musician that he is, a rhapsody 
of history of the American born of Greek descent.
  In fourth grade in public schools, in Pennsylvania at least, perhaps 
throughout the Nation, there began to shine the light on the students 
of ancient history. We first began to learn about Egypt and Phoenicia, 
then Greek civilization, Rome, et cetera. We all had images thrust upon 
us, wonderful images of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Aegean Sea, 
as it were, and

[[Page H2544]]

some of the ancient pillars and columns that were all over the Greek 
countryside in ancient Greece, and which were a part of tourism even 
then and our own beginnings of knowledge of Greek history.
  Almost simultaneously, I must tell you, in the fourth grade, many of 
us who were born of Greek immigrants were also attending school 
sponsored by the church, our own Greek Orthodox Church, in which we had 
an embellishment of that which we learned in public school, almost on 
the same day. I would go from public school, which would finish at 3:30 
or 4, and then go to what we called Greek school in the late afternoon. 
We were tired in the evening of learning.
  At that moment we began to learn about the second phase of the 
grandeur that was Greece, which was alluded to by the gentleman from 
Ohio, in the 19th century. It seemed natural to us youngsters who had 
learned in public schools about ancient Greek democracy and Socrates 
and Demosthenes to make the transition to the glories of the revolution 
against the Ottoman Empire, and then to learn about Kolokotronis and 
Karaiskakis and Marcos Botsaris. So we had a second set of heroes and 
images and brilliance of achievement on the part of the Greek people 
inculcated into our young learning even at that time.
  What was significant about that was not just the expansion of 
learning, which is important in the education quotient which the 
gentleman from Ohio read, as far as achievement on the part of the 
Greek-Americans concerned. What was significant to me then and what is 
significant to me now is and was that it is an American experience.
  We young Americans of Greek descent became better Americans as a 
result of that double dose of learning. In the American public schools, 
in the Greek church schools we became better Americans. We had a better 
sense of history, of education, of models, of role models and heroes 
and patriots and the glories of democracy.
  One could not think of being an American without glorifying 
democracy, and it came to us naturally, we Americans of Greek descent. 
So we were doubly pierced with the arrow of democracy and democratic 
action and civilized behavior and politics and the search for good 
government, all from the fourth grade on, all intermeshed with our 
going to church and learning about the religion and the background of 
our parents, those lovable immigrants who came here to become great 
Americans in their own right.

  One other note. When I mentioned that this was under the auspices of 
the church, that, too, was a natural phenomenon, having to do with the 
revolution of 1821, because it was a cleric, a churchman, who first 
raised the flag of independence on March 25, 1821. He did it on one of 
the most sacred holidays of the Greek Orthodox church.
  So what we have then is a panoply of events all molding into one, 
patriotism, revolution, raising the flag of independence, glorifying 
the sacred holiday that the church held so high on that day, and 
bringing it all back into the well of the House of Representatives in 
1996 where Americans all, Members of Congress, re-reflect the glory 
that was Greece in those two eras.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Gekas]. 
Very well said.
  Mr. Speaker, just before I interrupted myself to have recognized the 
four gentlemen, I spoke about the Greek freedom fighters having 
returned sovereignty to Greece and in so doing reconnected themselves 
and their Greek brothers and sisters to their heritage.
  Mr. Speaker, this heritage of which we speak has brought forth our 
American principles of freedom and democracy that even now continues to 
spread throughout the world. Indeed, people of Greek heritage, as well 
as freedom loving people everywhere--can join in celebrating this very 
special day.
  Our American patriot Thomas Paine wrote in his famous pamphlet, 
``Common Sense:''

       Tis Dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven 
     knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would 
     be strange indeed, if so celestial an article as freedom 
     should not be highly rated.

  How dear freedom is to us all.
  Socrates warned and Plato warned and Pericles warned, as did so many 
other great minds throughout history, that freedom and democracy are 
won and maintained only at great cost. And with that cost comes an 
unwavering acceptance of responsibility.
  Donald Kagan argues this point in his book about Pericles titled, 
``Pericles of Athens and the Birth of Democracy.''
  Mr. Kagan writes:

       The story of the Athenians in the time of Pericles suggests 
     that the creation and survival of democracy requires 
     leadership of a high order. When tested, the Athenians 
     behaved with the required devotion, wisdom, and moderation in 
     large part because they had been inspired by the democratic 
     vision and example that Pericles had so effectively 
     communicated to them. It was a vision that exalted the 
     individual within the political community; it limited the 
     scope and power of the state, leaving enough space for 
     individual freedom, privacy, and the human dignity of which 
     they are a crucial part.
       It rejected the leveling principle pursued by both ancient 
     Sparta and modern socialism, which requires the suppression 
     of those rights. By rewarding merit, it encouraged the 
     individual achievement and excellence that makes life sweet 
     and raises the quality of life for everyone. Above all, 
     Pericles convinced the Athenians that their private needs, 
     both moral and material, required the kind of community 
     Athens had become. Therefore,--

  And I would like to point out, Mr. Speaker, that this is what I mean 
by responsibility:

     They were willing to run risks in its defense, make 
     sacrifices on its behalf and restrain their passions and 
     desires to preserve it.

  Mr. Speaker, I believe that this is as true today as it was in 
ancient Greece--as much as during the American Revolution and certainly 
as it was in 1821 when Greece claimed its independence.
  The Greek people sought the right to govern themselves and to 
determine their own destiny. There are few more precious rights than 
this and it is one highly treasured around the world.
  If people are to live freely they must also live responsibly. If 
people are to govern themselves democratically, then they must also 
govern themselves responsibly. The same must be said for nations. For 
if not, it is either anarchy or tyranny that is sure to follow.
  I believe that if we are to live in a world of peace, with freedom 
and democracy as our goal, then this is the message that must guide us.
  Even as I speak, tensions still persist between Turkey and Greece 
over the sovereignty of the islet of Imia--in the Aegean Sea.
  Turkey has violated international law by trying to claim territorial 
ownership of Imia and, in so doing, has failed to act responsibly. 
Indeed, the European Parliament approved a resolution stating that:

       The Islet of Imia belongs to the Dodecanese group of 
     islands, on the basis of the Lausanne Treaty of 1923, the 
     protocol between Italy and Turkey of 1932, and the Paris 
     Peace Treaty of 1947.

  Another issue that demonstrates irresponsible leadership and weighs 
heavily on the minds of Greek-Americans and Cypriots alike is the 
recent statement made by Mr. Denktash--the Turkish-Cypriot leader of 
the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus that the five 
missing Americans and the 1,614 missing Greek-Cypriots captured in 
Cyprus during the illegal Turkish invasion of 1974, were turned over to 
the Turkish militia and then killed.
  I have written a letter to President Clinton urging him to do 
everything possible to determine once and for all the fate of the 
missing in Cyprus.
  I also question Mr. Denktash's statement that all the missing are 
dead--given the fact that there is much evidence to the contrary.
  You don't have to be a Greek-American or a Cypriot-American to feel 
the pain and outrage felt by Cypriots who have had their land brutally 
and illegally occupied by Turkish forces for over 21 years.
  I think this quote from the British newspaper the Guardian in an 
article written in 1979 called ``Words Won't Shift Turkey,'' 
illustrates the impact of the continued occupation:

       They (Turkey) invaded in two separate waves. They camped 
     along the Attila line, holding 36 percent of Cyprus. They 
     have not budged since. Worse, they have relentlessly filled 
     northern Cyprus with mainland immigrants, squeezing all but a 
     handful of Greeks from their territory . . . who can wonder . 
     . . that the Greeks fear not merely permanent division along 
     the Attila line but, at some suitable future moment with some

[[Page H2545]]

     suitable future excuse, a further Turkish push to swallow all 
     of Cyprus? Will world opinion be any more help then (--) than 
     it is now? . . . ''
  Mr. Speaker, last August I traveled to Cyprus, and I have already 
mentioned this, met the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Hoke] there, and heard 
firsthand the life experiences of the Cypriots. I will continue to do 
all that I can to ensure their freedom along with the help particularly 
of the gentlewoman from New York [Mrs. Maloney]; the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania [Mr. Gekas]; the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Hoke]; the 
gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman]; and so many others. I am pleased 
to have cosponsored legislation to address the freedom and human rights 
for the enclaved people of Cyprus.
  We must seek a peaceful world so that freedom and democracy may 
flourish. Let us never squander the precious gift of liberty that is 
known to all our citizens through democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York City [Mrs. 
Maloney], which includes Astoria with a very large Greek population.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I first of all want to thank very much the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Bilirakis] for organizing this special 
order to celebrate Greek independence day.
  I am very fortunate and very pleased and privileged to represent 
Astoria, NY, one of the largest and most vibrant communities of Greek 
and Cypriot Americans in this country. It is truly one of my greatest 
pleasures as a Member of Congress to be able to participate in the life 
of this community, and the wonderful and vital Greek American friends 
that I have come to know are one of its greatest rewards.
  March 25, 1996, will mark the 175th anniversary of the beginning of 
the Greek War of Independence.

                                  2215

  From the fall of Constantinople in 1453, until the Declaration of 
Independence in 1821, almost 400 years, Greece remained under the heel 
of the Ottoman Empire. During that time, the people were deprived of 
all civil rights. Schools and churches were closed down and many were 
forced to convert to the Moslem religion.
  One hundred seventy-five years ago, the Greek people were able to 
resume their rightful place as an ideal of democracy for the rest of 
the western world. The Greek ideal inspired our Country's Founding 
Fathers. Thomas Jefferson called ancient Greece ``The light which led 
ourselves out of Gothic darkness.''
  Yet half a century later, the American Revolution became one of the 
ideals of the Greeks as they fought for their own independence. Since 
their independence, Greece has become one of the most trusted partners 
allied with the United States in every major international conflict in 
this century.
  In light of this special and long standing relationship, some recent 
actions taken by the administration are particularly troubling. The 
sale of high-powered missiles to Turkey is a case of point. These are 
medium-range antipersonnel missiles of great destructive power which 
have never been sold to another country, ever. Along with Mr. Bilirakis 
and others participating in this special order, we wrote to the 
President voicing our strong opposition to this sale. It is clearly 
contrary to the spirit of the 1996 Foreign Operations appropriations 
bill which cut aid to Turkey.
  Likewise, the administration's proposed sale of 10 Super Cobra attack 
helicopters I believe sends the wrong signal to Turkey, particularly 
given the tense situation in the Eastern Mediterranean which Mr. 
Bilirakis just mentioned in his comments.
  Last week Mr. Bilirakis joined me in a special order on that problem 
in Imia, an island in the Aegean over which there was recently a very 
heated conflict and confrontation between Greece and Turkey. In the 
Imia incident, Turkey challenged an established international boundary 
in an attempt to expand its Aegean border. This never would have 
happened if Turkey abided by international law.
  As we approach the 21st century, the use of violence and the threat 
of the use of violence are totally unacceptable. This Imia incident is 
just one of a long list of Turkish violations, including human rights 
violations of the Kurds, the blockade of Armenia, and the continuing 
occupation of the northern part of the Republic of Cyprus.

  Congress responded to these actions last June by cutting aid to 
Turkey. I believe that it is time for the administration to reach the 
same conclusion and end unfortunate weapons sales until certain actions 
are halted. We need a rational policy that does not encourage 
aggressive actions and attitudes. There can be no middle or neutral 
position between those who uphold the rules of law and those who 
violate it.
  One final note to my colleagues that are participating in this 
special order. The gentleman from Florida and myself have recently 
established a congressional caucus on the Hellenic issues. For Members 
of the House who would like to work toward better United States-Greek 
and United States-Cypriot relations, I would like to personally invite 
any Member participating here to night to join the caucus.
  Once again, I thank the gentleman from Florida, my very dear friend, 
for organizing this special order.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. I thank the gentlewoman, and join her in that 
invitation, obviously. I just cannot tell you how proud I am, Carolyn, 
to be working with you, particularly on these issues.
  I would at this point yield to another gentleman from Pennsylvania, 
Mr. Ronald Klink, who is a fellow Kalimnian, which means that our 
parents immigrated to this country from the island of Kalimnos in the 
Aegean Sea, which is actually the group of islands that sort of is the 
closest to this disputed rock, I say ``disputed,'' it isn't disputed by 
anybody but Turkey, in the Aegean, this disputed rock called Imia.
  I would yield to the gentleman at this time for his remarks.
  Mr. KLINK. I thank my dear friend and Kalimnian for yielding to me. 
It was amazing, as the gentleman knows, I went back to Kalimnos last 
August and saw Imia, and, of course, it is uninhabited. A lot of people 
are making the comment, well, this is a pile of rocks in the middle of 
the Aegean sea, there are no people who live there, so who should care 
about this?
  The fact of the matter is these are Greek rocks. This is a Greek 
island. There are parts of southern Texas I would remind people who 
some would say that are not inhabited. They happen to be on this side 
of the Rio Grande. But if Mexico came over and planted a flag, there 
would be a battle, there would be a big fight, because everything on 
this side of the Rio Grande is American property.

  The Greeks feel the same about this. As the gentleman mentioned in 
the earlier part of his statement, there has been no question about 
this. We are here to talk about Greek Independence Day and the issues.
  The Greek people were never the provocateurs, throughout the entire 
history. For 400 years they lived under the Ottoman Empire, and they 
suffered greatly. Now again Turkey is the provocateur, coming into the 
Aegean and making claims that are completely illegitimate. And at the 
time the world was focused on this tiny, rocky inlet, most of what live 
there are sheep and goats, while the world was focusing on this and 
there was all this maneuvering around by military vehicles, what much 
of the world missed is the fact that Turkey at that time took 80 
American-made tanks into Cyprus in violation of United States law, in 
violation of international law.
  I have spoken with Ambassador Jacovites, the Ambassador from Cyprus, 
who said yes, this has, in fact, happened. We are making inquiries to 
the State Department to try to find out what, in fact, is going to 
happen.
  Again, it is one more sign that Turkey is again, as they have been 
for hundreds of years, the provocateurs in the Aegean. They are risking 
peace, they are risking harmony in the European union. In fact, the 
European Parliament has condemned Turkey's action in a resolution that 
passed 342 to 21, with 11 abstentions. They understand the seriousness 
of the action that has been taken by Turkey in this and in other 
actions.
  The gentleman also, my friend from Florida, made mention of the 1,619 
people who are missing after the 1974 invasion of Cyprus. All of a 
sudden we have these comments made they were turned over to Turkish 
Cypriot militia

[[Page H2546]]

and they are dead and we should dismiss this after 21 years.
  We are dismissing nothing, because it is time to have these questions 
answered and make sure what were the circumstances of these deaths. 
Where are these people buried? Five of these people are American 
citizens. One is a 17-year-old boy from Michigan. I would say to the 
Speaker pro tem, I know the State of Michigan is important to him. From 
Michigan, a 17-year-old boy with his American passport in his hand, and 
21 years, almost 22 years later, is completely unaccounted for.

  I understand the State Department talks about the fact that both 
Turkey and Greece are important to the United States. I will go back in 
closing, and then relinquishing the time back to my friend. I would 
like to just give a couple of quotes.
  One quote says:

       Our Constitution is called a democracy because power is in 
     the hands not of a minority, but of the whole people. When it 
     is a question of settling private disputes, everyone is equal 
     before the law. When it is a question of putting one person 
     before another in positions of public responsibility, what 
     counts is not membership of a particular class, but the 
     actual ability which man possesses.

  That statement could be made by anyone on the floor of the House, any 
President of the United States, but it was made by Pericles in an 
address made in Greece 2,000 years ago. Our Nation is founded on that 
democracy.
  Likewie, the comment that ``Democracy is a charming form of 
government. It is full of variety and disorder and dispensing a kind of 
equality to equals and unequals alike.'' It was not made on the floor 
of this House during our debates with one another and our differences 
among parties or regions. It was made by Plato in ``The Republic'' in 
the year 370 B.C.
  From Thomas Jefferson, whom we all revere, he said ``To the ancient 
Greeks we are all indebted for the light which led ourselves,'' 
speaking of the American colonists, ``out of Gothic darkness.''
  Thomas Jefferson understood the importance of Greece in formulating 
this idea of democracy and equality and understood how important the 
Greek people were to the people of the United States. Thomas Jefferson 
likewise wrote to the leaders of Greece during their occupation by the 
Ottoman Empire and encouraged them in their revolution. It took many, 
many hundreds of years after that for his dream for the Greeks to come 
to fruition. But they are still not shed of the inequities and the 
provocation that Turkey has perpetrated on that part of the Aegean and 
that part of the world for many hundreds of years.
  So I would say that those of us who love freedom, those of us who 
have a sense that the birthplace of democracy should itself be free and 
not have to live under the thumb of the Turks, have a lot of work cut 
out for us.
  I thank the gentleman, my friend from Kalimnos, and now from Florida, 
for yielding to me, and I thank him for his leadership on these issues 
and many other issues in this U.S. Congress. It is my pleasure and my 
distinct honor to serve with him. I thank him for taking this time.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. I thank the gentleman. Certainly the same applies from 
my side of the aisle.
  So you can see, Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate this Greek Independence 
Day, we, all of us, must remember the price that has been paid to 
attain freedom here in the United States and everywhere, as the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania just reminded us. We owe a great debt of 
gratitude to the ancient Greeks, who forged the very notion of 
democracy. The American philosopher Will Durant said it best, ``Greece 
is the bright morning star of that western civilization which is our 
nourishment and life.''
  We must remember our responsibility to those who sacrificed their 
lives to secure our freedom by preserving it for generations to come. 
So let us never forget or ignore that liberty demands responsibility, 
for on this Greek Independence Day, let us reflect on how dear freedom 
is to us all, and let us remember those Greek patriots who, as they 
valiantly fought off foreign oppression 175 years ago, shouted for all 
of us to hear ``Eleftheria i thanatos,'' ``Liberty or death.''
  Mr. Speaker, I thank you, and I particularly thank the staffs of the 
Cloakroom and the staffs of the people here for their indulgence at 
this very late hour. I know we are very tired, but we very much 
appreciate your allowing us to do this special order.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I join today with my colleagues in 
commemorating Greek Independence Day. I thank my colleague from 
Florida, Mr. Bilirakis, for his leadership on issues of importance to 
the Greek-American community and for organizing this special order 
tonight.
  On March 25, we will celebrate the 175th anniversary of the 
revolution which released Greece from the tyranny of the Ottoman 
Empire. This date is a very important one, yet it represents only one 
facet of Greece's longstanding inspiration to the world as the home of 
democracy.
  The people of Greece and the people of the United States share a 
special and strong bond which goes back to the founding of our great 
Nation and which echoes through the ages. Greece's philosophical 
tradition inspired our Founding Fathers in their struggle for freedom 
and democracy. Their struggle, in turn, inspired the Greek patriots 
whose courageous fight for independence in the 1820's we acknowledge 
and commemorate today.
  Greece's intellectual, philosophical, cultural, and artistic 
contributions to the history of Western civilization are an important 
underpinning of the world in which we live. Today, here in the House of 
Representatives, we pause to acknowledge those contributions, Without 
Greek democratic thought, we might not have the democracy we practice 
here on a daily basis, one which is too often taken for granted.
  Greece's contributions to life in the United States are not just 
those based on lofty ideals. In communities across the country, Greek-
Americans contribute in untold ways. The contribution of the Greek-
American community to my district of San Francisco is a great one. This 
special community is a vital, historic, and vibrant component of San 
Francisco's world-renowned diversity.
  I am proud to join my colleagues in the House of Representatives and 
my friends in the Greek-American community in celebrating Greek 
Independence Day.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, democracy and democratic governing is a style 
that is quickly being embraced by governments all over the world and it 
is an amazing spectacle. While the United States can take much credit 
for being the model of modern democracy, America is not its birthplace. 
Athens is the home of democracy.
  Greek sages like Aristotle were the architects of those democratic 
principles which set the foundations of our government and for many 
others around the world. It was the Greeks who began the battles to 
preserve the concept of ruling by the people, a concept for which we 
also fight.
  On March 25, 1996, Greece will celebrate its 175th anniversary, its 
dodrasquicentenial, of independence from the Ottoman Empire. It is in 
this celebration that those democratic principles will be reaffirmed. 
Because our nations are so ideologically intertwined, we also have 
reason to celebrate.
  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to join my 
colleague, Mr. Bilirakis, in celebrating Greek Independence Day. Today 
we celebrate the lasting tradition of Greek and American friendship and 
democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, March 25, 1996, will mark the 175th Anniversary of the 
revolution which freed the people of Greece from nearly 400 years of 
the oppressive and suffocating rule of the Ottoman Empire. We as 
Americans, as well as each of the new and older democracies of the 
world, owe much to the country of Greece because of their important 
role in fostering the freedom and democracy we know today. Edith 
Hamilton said it best, ``The Greeks were the first Westerners; the 
spirit of the West, the modern spirit, is a Greek discovery and the 
place of the Greeks is in the modern world.''
  The relationship between Greece and the United States is one based on 
mutual respect and admiration. The democratic principles used by our 
Founding Fathers to frame our Constitution were born in ancient Greece. 
In turn, our Founding Fathers and the American Revolution served as 
ideals for the Greek people when they began their modern fight for 
independence in the 1820's. The Greeks translated the United States 
Declaration of Independence into their own language so they, too, could 
share the same freedoms of the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, in modern times, the relationship between the Greeks and 
the United States has only grown stronger. Greece is one of only three 
nations in the world that has allied with the United States in every 
major international conflict this century. More than 600,000 Greek 
soldiers died fighting against the Axis Powers in World War II. After 
World War II, the Greek soldiers returned to their homefront to again 
defend their democratic foundation from the threat of Communist rebels. 
Fortunately, democracy prevailed and

[[Page H2547]]

Greece emerged the strong and victorious nation it is today.
  Mr. Speaker, on this occasion commemorating the strong relationship 
between the United States and Greece, I would like to urge my 
colleagues to join me as a member the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic 
Issues. Becoming a member of this caucus will enable Members of 
Congress to work together on issues that affect the Greek and Greek-
American community.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues and with the Clinton 
administration to unravel the Cyprus problem, and promote a solid, 
cooperative relationship between Greece and Macedonia. In addition, I 
will continue to see that the countries of Turkey and Albania no longer 
infringe on human rights or violate international law.
  Mr. Speaker, in honor of Greek Independence Day, I celebrate the 
strong and lasting bond between the people of the United States and 
Greece. I urge my colleagues to join me on this special day in paying 
tribute to the wisdom of the Ancient Greeks, the friendship of modern 
Greece, and the important contributions Greek-Americans have made in 
the United States and throughout the world.
  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my 
colleague from Florida for once again taking the leadership to organize 
this special order which provides us the opportunity to celebrate a 
great day in the history of Greece, our close ally.
  I also want to commend the gentleman from Florida and the gentlewoman 
from New York for organizing the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic 
Issues. Those of us who are concerned about our friends in Greece and 
Cyprus have worked together informally over the years, and I am pleased 
to now be part of a more organized and concerted effort to speak out on 
those issues which are important to Greece, Cyprus, and to our 
constituents of Hellenic descent.
  It is very fitting for us to take time here to celebrate the 
beginning of Greece's struggle for independence from the cruel 
oppression of the Ottoman Empire. With our own war for independence as 
an example, the people of Greece began their struggle for freedom on 
March 25, 1821. How fitting that we could offer an example to Greece in 
the struggle against oppression, for the example of Athenian democracy 
was an inspiration to our revolutionary heroes.
  The bonds between our two nations are deep and long-standing. On this 
occasion, we set aside time to honor those ties, but in fact each day 
that we meet is a celebration of the debt America owes to Greece. 
Greece was the birthplace of democracy, and we pay homage to this every 
day when we meet and debate and vote and freely share ideas.
  When we begin each day affirming our commitment to liberty and 
justice for all we are, in fact, honoring the gifts of Greece to 
America. When citizens meet in a town hall, or attend a town meeting, 
or go to the polls on election day--they continue traditions begun in 
Greece.
  This building in which we meet every day, and the Supreme Court 
across the street, are physical reminders that the roots of democracy 
were planted in Athens. It is no accident that the laboratory of 
democracy looks back to Greece for guidance on building the halls of 
democracy.
  Ideas are not the only contribution made by Greece to America. As my 
own State of Rhode Island can attest, the sons and daughters of Greece 
who have come to the United States have made a tremendous impact on 
their communities.
  Starting in the 1890's, Greek immigrants moved into Providence, 
Pawtucket, and Newport, RI. There they built business, neighborhoods, 
churches, schools, and raised families. Today, the grandchildren of 
those immigrants are leaders in our State, and Rhode Island is richer 
because of all they have given.
  Tonight we do so much more than just salute the valiant bravery of 
Greece in 1821--for the brave acts of that revolution were just one 
more firing of the torch of liberty that was lit with the birth of 
democracy in Athens.
  I join my colleagues in honoring Greece for all it has given the 
United States and share their optimism for all we will do together in 
the years ahead. I thank my colleagues for all of their hard work in 
making this special order possible and for their leadership on Hellenic 
issues.
  Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 175th 
anniversary of the independence of the nation of Greece.
  The significance of the Greek War of Independence goes well beyond 
the scope of Greece and its history, and beyond even the history of the 
entire region encompassing the Balkan peninsula and the eastern 
Mediterranean. The struggle of the Greek people was the first major war 
of liberation following the American Revolution; it was the first 
successful war for independence from the Ottoman Empire; and it was the 
first explicitly nationalist revolution.
  It is generally recognized that the Greek War of Independence began 
in earnest on March 25, 1821, when Bishop Germanos of Patra raised the 
standard of rebellion at the monastery of Aghia Lavra in the northern 
Peloponnese. This incident represented the joining together of lay and 
secular forces in outright rebellion to Ottoman domination.
  As evidence of the commitment to democracy as an underpinning of this 
struggle, the first National Assembly was convened at Epidaurus by the 
end of 1821. By taking action to develop a representative legislature 
at the earliest stages of revolution, well before victory was achieved 
in 1832, the broad coalition of forces striving for Greek independence 
recognized that a modern political state must be based on a framework 
which seeks to include those from all walks of life.
  In looking at Greece today, one can see how the character of the 
Greek War of Independence has added to the success of the modern state 
of Greece. Throughout the twentieth century, Greece has stood strong, 
first in the face of imperialism during World War I, then against the 
fascist incursion of the Axis powers during World War II, and finally 
in facing down the Communist threat during the cold war.
  Today, Greece stands firm as a bulwark of stability in an otherwise 
volatile region. The shared victory of western democracies in defeating 
communism would not have been possible without the dedicated 
participation of Greece. Also, as Americans, we must continue to 
recognize the pivotal role played by Greece in meeting our goal of 
maintaining and enhancing the economic and politically stability of 
Europe and the Mediterranean.
  Again, I congratulate the people of Greece on 175 years of 
independence and salute their ongoing positive contribution to peace 
and democracy throughout the world.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my colleagues today to 
commemorate the 175th anniversary of the declaration of Greek 
independence from the Ottoman Empire, on March 25, 1821. I would also 
like to very much associate myself with the remarks of the 
distinguished gentleman from Florida, Mr. Bilirakis, and commend him 
for arranging this special order. His leadership on issues of concern 
to Greek-Americans has been unmatched in Congress, and I'm proud to 
work with him on this and other important matters.
  Mr. Speaker, the world has changed greatly since 1821, but at least 
one common theme seems to link these two eras--the fight for democracy 
and freedom as a precious way of life for all people. It was a long and 
hard-fought battle in 1821 for Greece, and it continues to be one in 
1996, in countries all over the world, from Asia, to Africa to Latin 
America. Greece, as the founder of democracy as we know it, however, 
has a special place in the hearts of all those who cherish democracy 
and freedom. In that respect, Greece and the United States have always 
shared a close relationship, which continues up to the present time, in 
the form of NATO, and other such alliances and ties. And it doesn't 
stop there. The contribution of Greece and Greek society to American 
society is immeasurable. Aside from the neo-classical architectural 
gems that grace our Capital City, Greek immigrants have been providing 
contributions to all facets of our society, from medicine to law to 
education and sports, just to name a few. In fact, one of the greatest 
contributions that Greece has made to the international community will 
be commemorated and celebrated this summer in Atlanta: the 100th 
anniversary of the modern Olympics.
  This of course is only a small token of expression of support for 
Greece and Greek-Americans, but it is something upon which I, and many 
Americans across this country and across all political spectrums, 
fervently hold forth. Simply put, without the democratic ideals that 
originated in ancient Greece, we would not have had an American 
Revolution. And without the contributions of Greek immigrants over the 
last 200 plus years, we simply would not have the America that we have 
today.
  Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join in this special order 
commemorating Greek Independence Day.
  One hundred and seventy five years ago, most of Greece was part of 
the Ottoman Empire. At that time, Greece had been under Ottoman rule 
for over 400 years. Greeks held high positions in the Ottoman 
Government and Greek merchants dominated trade within the empire, but 
the Greek people were unwilling subjects of the Ottomans. Taxes and 
restrictions on landholding were onerous, Greek Orthodox Christians 
were a religious minority, and Ottoman Government was becoming 
increasingly characterized by corruption and violence.
  In the late 1700's and early 1800's, the Greek people developed a 
strong national consciousness. Many Greeks began to come into greater 
contact with West Europeans, and through these contacts they gained 
exposure to the ideas of liberty and self-government that had been 
developed in ancient Greece and revived in modern times by the French 
and

[[Page H2548]]

American Revolutions. The development of a vision of an independent 
Greek nation at that time was due in no small part to the interaction 
of these radical ideas with the increasing depredations of the Ottomans 
and their minions.
  In March 1821, Greek patriots rose up against their Ottoman overlords 
in a revolution that lasted for nearly 10 years. They enjoyed initial 
success, but met with several subsequent reversals. Nevertheless, the 
Greek people persevered through 8 bloody years of conflict. They 
experienced adversity and setbacks frequently, but their revolution 
continued. In 1825, the Ottoman Government, unable to defeat the 
rebels, brought in foreign mercenaries--much like the Hessian soldiers 
in the American Revolution--to crush the Greeks. The Greeks fought on.
  The Greeks' heroic struggle inspired support from people in Western 
Europe and the United States. Many people in these countries developed 
an interest in Greek culture, architecture, and history. Europeans and 
Americans felt especially sympathetic to the plight of the Greek people 
given the role of ancient Greece as the cradle of democracy. The 
writings of early Greek philosophers like Plato and Polybius had helped 
inspire many of the patriots of the American Revolution, who had been 
schooled in the classics. A number of private citizens like Lord Byron 
were so caught up with the Greeks' fight for freedom that they actually 
traveled to Greece to take part in the revolution. Many of the people 
of Europe pressured their governments to intervene on the side of the 
Greeks, and as a result, in 1826 Great Britain and Russia agreed to 
work to secure Greek independence. France allied itself with these 
states the following year. Foreign assistance helped turn the tide, and 
in 1829 the Ottoman Empire signed a treaty recognizing Greece as an 
autonomous state.
  Mr. Speaker, it is only appropriate that we recognize the courage and 
heroism of these early Greek patriots, who fought and died for the same 
principles of freedom and self-government that inspired our forefathers 
to rebel against Great Britain. Greece and the United States can both 
lay legitimate claim to the title of cradle of democracy. The 
democracies of ancient Greece inspired our Founding Fathers. Democracy 
in the United States and the principles laid out in the Declaration of 
Independence and the Constitution have inspired countless people around 
the world over the last 220 years.
  Greece and the United States share much in common, including the 1.1 
million American citizens who are of Greek ancestry. I am pleased to 
join our country's Greek-American citizens in celebrating this very 
special day.
  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a member of the recently formed 
Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues to recognize Greek Independence 
Day. This is a day to honor the sacrifices made by the Greek people 
over hundreds of years in their struggle against the oppressive rule of 
the Ottoman Empire.
  The victory of the Greek revolutionaries is particularly important 
for Members of this body which is one of the greatest institutions of 
democracy ever created on Earth. The foundation of our country stems 
directly from the advances in philosophy and law established by the 
ancient Greeks. Aristotle taught us that:

       [c]learly then a state is not a mere society, having a 
     common place, established for the prevention of crime and for 
     the sake of trade. These are conditions without which a state 
     cannot exist; but all of them together do not constitute a 
     state, which is a community of families and aggregations of 
     families in well-being for the sake of a perfect and self-
     sufficing life * * *. And the state is a union of families 
     and villages in a perfect and self-sufficing life, by which 
     we mean a happy and honorable life.

  This is the tradition that has been given to the people of the United 
States of America by the people of Greece to whom we shall be forever 
grateful.
  The ties that bind America to Greece are not only historical, but 
also modern. Americans have fought side by side with Greeks in two 
World Wars as well as in the Persian Gulf war. Today, Greece is our 
invaluable ally in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. We must 
continue to nurture the relationship between our two nations. We must 
lend our support to our Greek allies in their continuing conflicts with 
Turkey. A resolution to this long standing problem must be a focus of 
American foreign policy and I would urge President Clinton and others 
in the administration to work to ensure the protection of Greeks in 
Turkey and Cyprus.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing I would ask all Members of the House to join 
with me in honoring the historical ties between the United States and 
Greece and in continuing to foster the close relationship between our 
two countries that has proved so successful.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, for Greek-Americans and those who 
practice the Greek Orthodox faith, I rise in their honor to join in the 
commemoration of the very special 175th anniversary of Greek 
Independence Day. Our mutual respect for freedom and liberty for all 
mankind dates back to the late 18th century when our Founding Fathers 
looked to ancient Greece for direction on writing our own Constitution. 
Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson persuaded a noted Greek scholar, 
John Paradise, to come to the United States for consultation on the 
policital philosophy of democracy. Later, the Greeks adopted the 
American Declaration of Independence as their own, sealing a bond which 
has endured between our two nations ever since.
  March 25, marks the date when in 1821, the Greek people rose against 
four centuries of Ottoman rule. Under the leadership of Alexander 
Ypsilanti, the Greek people fought valiantly in pursuit of freedom and 
self-rule for 8 years. Finally, in 1827, the Allied powers lent support 
to the greek effort. In 1829, not only did the united forces defeat the 
Turks, but the Greek people also gained recognition of their 
independence by the very power that had oppressed them since the 
fifteenth century.
  The Greek people continued their struggle against the threat of 
undemocratic regimes into the 20th century. At the height of World War 
II, when it appeared that Nazi forces would soon overrun Europe, the 
Greek people fought courageously on behalf of the rest of the world--at 
a cost of a half a million lives. The Greek people dealt a severe blow 
to the ability of the Axis forces to control the Mediterranean and seal 
off the Black Sea which helped to turn the tide of the war. British 
Prime Minister Winston Churchill declared: ``in ancient days it was 
said that Greeks fight like heroes, now we must say that heroes fight 
like Greeks.''
  During the Truman administration, the United States finally realized 
Greece's unwavering commitment to democracy. President Truman 
recognized this commitment by including Greece in his economic and 
military assistance program--The Truman doctrine. And, in 1952, Greece 
joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which was later tested 
when Russia threatened to crush the Acropolis unless Greece abandon the 
alliance. Greece stood firm and proved its commitment once again.
  Mr. Speaker, March 25 marks Greece's accomplishment as an independent 
nation. However, more importantly, this day symbolizes the Greek 
people's continued defense of democracy, an idea given birth by the 
great philosophers in Athens more than 2,500 years ago.
  Unfortunatly, this year's independence celebration is tempered by the 
loss of one of Greece's greatest poets, Odysseus Elytis, who died 3 
days ago. Elytis is most famed for ``Axion Esti'' (``Worthy It Be''), 
an epic poem described as a ``Bible for the Greek people'' by renowned 
composer Mikis Theodorakis, who, admiring it so much, set it to music. 
In 1979, Elytis became the second Greek to win the Nobel Prize for 
poetry. In his own words he said, ``I am personifying Greece in my 
poems * * *. All the beautiful and bitter moments beneath the sky of 
Attica.'' Odysseus Elytis personifies the Greek spirit of love and 
respect for culture and freedom. Although he will be missed, Elythis 
left a wonderful legacy for his people.
  I am grateful for the opportunity to join in observing this very 
important celebration. This week I will remember where our own 
democratic principles were derived, and I will honor the countless, 
invaluable contributions Greek-Americans have brought to this country. 
The more than 700,000 Greeks who have come here, benefited us with a 
stronger, civilized and more cultured heritage. Mr. Speaker, I salute 
Greek-Americans for their outstanding achievements and their commitment 
to the ideals of freedom.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
recognizing Greece on its 175th anniversary of independence. I am glad 
to participate in this special order and I thank my colleague Mr. 
Bilirakis for his commitment to commemorating Greek independence each 
March.
  The United States has a strong and special relationship with Greece. 
Our great experiment in democracy drew its primary lessons from the 
ancient Greeks, and not too many years after our Revolutionary War, the 
people of Greece succeeded in throwing off the Ottoman Empire. We have 
in common the struggle to be free, belief in justice and in equality, 
and a faith in the people's judgment. We often speak today about the 
rights of the majority and minority in a democracy, about the rule of 
law and the ideal role of government. When we do that, we are really 
recalling the Greeks who wrote and argued with vigor and dignity about 
these fundamental issues. The vision of the Founders is drawn from the 
work of the ancient Greeks.
  Today that creative essence can still be found within our vibrant 
community of Greek-Americans. My constituents of Greek descent are 
dynamic, hardworking, and active in the community. I am proud to 
represent them and I believe all Americans can learn a lesson from the 
strength of Greek-American families and their generosity of spirit.

[[Page H2549]]

  We in the United States owe Greece a debt of gratitude, for being our 
steady partners and friends over many years, for inspiring our thoughts 
about democracy, and for sending us so many sons and daughters who have 
made and continue to make a contribution to the work of our Nation. I 
wish the people of Greece and all Greek-Americans a very happy Greek 
Independence Day, and I look forward to sharing the celebration in 
years to come.
  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 175th 
anniversary of Greek Independence Day, which falls on March 25. On this 
historic day, the Greek people broke from the Ottoman Empire after more 
than 400 years of foreign domination, clearly demonstrating their long-
standing and continuing love of freedom.
  Greece's democratic ideals and institutions continue to inspire 
people and nations around the world, and they have enabled the United 
States and Greece to enjoy a strong relationship. The contributions 
that Greek-Americans have made in our society are especially evident in 
my home State of Rhode Island, where the oldest Greek settlement dates 
back to the late 1890's. Many of the early Greek immigrants to the 
State worked as mill workers, foundrymen, fishermen, or merchant 
seamen. Today, the descendants of these hard-working people form a 
proud and prosperous Greek-American community, which continues to 
enrich Rhode Island and our Nation.
  While we are here today to celebrate Greek history and its 
contributions, it is also important to recognize the continuing 
struggles of the Greek people. For more than 20 years, military 
occupation and human rights abuses by Turkey continue to hamper efforts 
to bring about a resolution to the situation in Cyprus. The time has 
come to end the strife and violence that have racked Cyprus since the 
Turkish invasion. I am a cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 42 
which calls for the demilitarization of Cyprus and I urge my colleagues 
to join as cosponsors. The United States can and must play a role to 
help the people of Cyprus and stabilize relations between Greece and 
Turkey.
  The Ecumenical Patriarchate, the spiritual leader for over 250 
million Greek Orthodox Christians, is located in Turkey and continues 
to be the victim of harassment and terrorist attacks. I am also a 
cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 50, which calls for the United 
States to insist that Turkey protect the Ecumenical Patriarchate and 
all Orthodox Christians residing in Turkey and I would urge my 
colleagues to sign onto this important legislation.
  The relationship between the United States and Greece continues to be 
of political, economical, and social importance. It is my hope we will 
continue to strengthen the bond between the United States and Greece, 
and to promote peace and stability in this region of the world. I would 
like to commend my colleagues, Representatives Bilirakis and Maloney, 
for forming the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issue. As a member of 
this caucus, I look forward to working with them and my other 
colleagues to heighten awareness of issues of concern to the Greek-
American community and to further our mutually beneficial relationship 
with Greece.
  In closing, I am proud to participate in the celebration of Greek 
Independence Day. I wish to extend my congratulations and best wishes 
on this day to the millions of Greek-Americans and all the citizens of 
Greece.

                          ____________________