[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 30 (Wednesday, March 18, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2233-S2234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. LOTT. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 324, S. Res. 
171.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 171) designating March 25, 1998, 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. BIDEN. Madam President, today, we commemorate the great moment

[[Page S2234]]

when Greece began to reassert its historic role as a leading light of 
democracy. In 1821, when valiant Greeks raised the flag of revolt 
against their Ottoman Turk oppressors, they were striking a blow for 
liberty that captivated freedom-loving men and women all over Europe, 
and in the young American Republic. Thomas Jefferson was inspired 
enough to become involved in the Greek struggle in the twilight of his 
life. In the summer of 1823 the Greek Hellenist and patriot Adamantios 
Koraes wrote to our third president, requesting advice on drawing up a 
constitution for the liberated Greece he was certain would be achieved.
  Jefferson's lengthy reply detailed his views on the fundamentals of 
democracy--freedom of religion, freedom of person (habeas corpus), 
trial by jury, the exclusive right of legislation and taxation reserved 
to the representatives of the people, and freedom of the press. The 80-
year-old scholar-president concluded his letter with a moving tribute 
to Greece's unique importance to the world.
  It took nearly a decade more of struggle until Greeks once again 
became masters in their own house. And maintaining Greece's 
independence and freedom over the ensuing 163 years has proven not to 
be easy.
  Greece has had to cope with internal divisions and external threats. 
Seemingly unending arguments over the Greek constitution and form of 
government occupied much of the nineteenth century. Then came the two 
Balkan wars, World War I, the Anatolian War, World War II, the Civil 
War that pitted Greek against Greek, and after a peaceful, if troubled, 
interlude, the short-lived dictatorship of the Colonels.
  Thankfully, today we can celebrate nearly a quarter-century of 
restored democracy and peace in Greece. Greece is now solidly 
integrated economically and politically in the European Union.
  Greece's relations with most of its neighbors have improved. Despite 
some lingering problems, relations are relatively good with the Former 
Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia and with Albania. Greece continues to 
maintain a solid relationship with Bulgaria.
  I will not hide the fact that--like every other country--Greece still 
faces formidable problems. Athens' relations with Ankara remain stormy. 
Turkey continues its illegal occupation of Northern Cyprus and its 
belligerent behavior in the Aegean.
  Moreover, the state of the Greek economy still leaves much to be 
desired. Let us be honest--as in the United States, there have been 
gross inefficiencies and wasteful policies. Greece will have to put its 
financial house in order if it hopes to take part fully in the 
ambitious integration that the European Union foresees in the coming 
years. I am confident that Prime Minister Simitis' reform program will 
bear fruit.
  Improving Greece's economy and finding ways to improve relations with 
Turkey are daunting tasks. But one look at hard-working, talented 
Greek-Americans, assures me that Greeks everywhere will continue to 
triumph over adversity and will remain an inspirational democratic 
ally.
  Mr. LOTT. 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 appear at 
this point in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 171) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 171

         
       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 the only 3 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 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 2 nations and their peoples;
       Whereas March 25, 1998, marks the 177th 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 2 great nations were born: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates March 25, 1998, as ``Greek Independence Day: 
     A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American 
     Democracy''; and
       (2) requests the President to issue a proclamation calling 
     upon the people of the United States to observe the day with 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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