[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 37 (Thursday, March 20, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2721-S2722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the Greek people on the 176th anniversary of the beginning of their 
struggle for independence. Since regaining their freedom and 
reaffirming their commitment to democratic principles, the Greek people 
have built a modern-day republic that is a strong and positive presence 
in the Balkans and eastern Mediterranean.

[[Page S2722]]

  As the only member of the European Union from the region, Greece has 
played a stabilizing role in the area and helped advance its neighbors' 
progress toward political and economic security. Greece's own efforts 
to continue the modernization of its economy and its steadfast defense 
of democratic governance are critical to the promotion of democracy and 
stability in neighboring lands.
  On March 25, Greece will commemorate the beginning of its quest for 
independence from four centuries of Ottoman rule. After nearly 10 years 
of struggle against tremendous odds, the Greek people secured liberty 
for their homeland and reaffirmed the individual freedoms that are at 
the heart of their tradition.
  From the beginning of their revolution, the Greeks had the support--
both material and emotional--from a people who had only recently gained 
freedom for themselves; the Americans. And since then, our two nations 
have remained firmly united by shared beliefs in democratic principles 
and mutual understanding of the sacrifices entailed in establishing a 
republic.
  As a nation whose founders were ardent students of the classics, 
America has drawn its political convictions from the ancient Greek 
ideals of liberty and citizenship. And just as we looked to the Greeks 
for inspiration, Greek patriots looked to the American Revolution for 
strength in the face of their own adversity.
  Since their liberation, the Greek people have never taken their 
liberty for granted. In both World Wars, Greece never wavered from its 
commitment to the United States and the other allied nations to resist 
the forces of totalitarianism. Faced with a Communist uprising after 
World War II, Greece received support from President Truman and the 
American people, who helped the Greeks rebuild their war-ravaged 
nation.
  Along with our shared values and traditions, Greece and America share 
a bond by virtue of those individuals who have remained devoted to the 
ideals of both countries. The Greek-American community, which maintains 
an especially close relationship with Greece, also consistently makes 
significant contributions to American culture, business, and history. 
Truly, it is a community that enriches our life at home while 
strengthening our ties abroad.
  At this time last year, First Lady Hillary Clinton was in Greece. Her 
visit was followed by a meeting here in Washington between Greek Prime 
Minister Kostandinos Simitis and President Clinton, which laid the 
foundation for even stronger Greek-American relations in the future, 
and the broadening of existing ties into new arenas.
  This year, I was proud to cosponsor Senate Resolution 56, designating 
March 25, 1997, as ``Greek Independence Day: A National Day of 
Celebration of Greek and American Democracy,'' and I was gratified to 
see it approved by the Senate last week. Emotionally and 
philosophically, Greece has remained near the hearts and minds of 
Americans since this Nation was founded.
  President James Monroe aptly summarized these feelings in 1822, 
observing: ``The mention of Greece fills the mind with the most exalted 
sentiments and arouses in our bosom the best feelings of which our 
nature is susceptible.'' Mr. President, more than inspiration, Greece 
today has a very important and tangible role to play in the democratic 
progress of its own region. I have no doubt that Greece is up to the 
task.

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