[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 19 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1407-S1408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 56--RELATIVE TO A NATIONAL DAY OF CELEBRATION OF 
                      GREEK AND AMERICAN DEMOCRACY

  Mr. SPECTER (for himself, Mr. Santorum, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Warner, Mr. 
Grassley, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Thurmond, Mr. Roth, Mr. D'Amato, Mr. Cochran, 
Mr. Domenici, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Faircloth, Mr. 
Thompson, Mr. Coverdell, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Durbin, Mr. 
Glenn, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Graham, Mr. Biden, Mr. Robb, Mr. Reid, Ms. 
Moseley-Braun, Mr. Kerry, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Reed, Mr. Levin, Mr. 
Hollings, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Lieberman, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Moynihan, Mrs. 
Feinstein, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Lautenberg, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Byrd, Mr. 
Sarbanes, Mr. Dodd, and Mr. Torricelli) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 56

       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

[[Page S1408]]

     the United States in an effort to best imitate their ancient 
     democracy;
       Whereas Greece is one of the only three nations in the 
     world, beyond the former British Empire, that has been allied 
     with the Untied States in every major international conflict 
     this century;
       Whereas the heroism displayed in the historic World War II 
     Battle of Crete epitomized Greece's sacrifice for freedom and 
     democracy as it presented the Axis land war with its first 
     major setback and set off a chain of events which 
     significantly affected the outcome of World War II.
       Whereas these and other ideals have forged a close bond 
     between our two nations and their peoples;
       Whereas March 25, 1997 marks the 176th 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, 1997 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 pleased to submit a resolution 
along with 43 of my colleagues to designate March 25, 1977, as ``Greek 
Independence Day: A Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.''
  The Greeks began the revolution 176 years ago, 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 our 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 the 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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