[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 41 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E433-E434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______


                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 22, 1996

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join the Greek community to 
celebrate the 175th anniversary of Greek independence.
  On March 25, 1821, the Archbishop of Patras blessed the Greek flag at 
the Aghia Lavra Monastery near Kalavrita, marking the beginning of the 
Greek war of independence in which nearly 400 years of Ottoman rule 
were turned aside.
  Ancient Greece was the birthplace of democratic values. It brought 
forth the notion that the ultimate power to govern belongs in the hands 
of the people. It inspired a system of checks and balances to ensure 
that one branch of government does not dominate any other branch.
  These ideals inspired our Founding Fathers as they wrote the 
Constitution. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, ``to the ancient Greeks 
* * * we are all indebted for the light which led ourselves out of 
Gothic darkness.''
  Together we face many challenges today, including the territorial 
integrity of Imia in the Aegean Sea and the demilitarization of Cyprus. 
If freedom and democracy, which were born in Greece, can tear down the 
Berlin Wall and break apart the Soviet Union, then I know that we can 
work together to bring those ideals once again to Cyprus.
  Today, the United States is enriched not only by Greek principles but 
also by its sons and daughters. Greek-Americans have made major 
contributions to American society, including our arts, sports, 
medicine, religion, and politics.
  My home State of Michigan has been enhanced by the Greek community. 
In Macomb and St. Clair Counties, we are served by St.

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John's Greek Orthodox Church and Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. 
These institutions provide a multitude of community services and add to 
the rich diversity of the area.
  Mr. Speaker, I join the people of Greece and those of Greek ancestry 
around the world in celebrating Greek Independence Day. I salute all of 
them for the tremendous contributions to freedom and human dignity 
which they have made.

                          ____________________