[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 36 (Thursday, March 26, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY: A NATIONAL DAY OF CELEBRATION

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                               speech of

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 25, 1998

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, it is a distinct privilege and honor to 
congratulate the people of Greece on the 177th anniversary of their 
nation's independence. The Hellenic Republic has held high the torch of 
democracy since its inception in 1821, reflecting a love of freedom, 
justice, and self-government rooted both in its renowned history as 
well as in the exuberant spirit of its people. The ancient Greeks 
served as one of America's most inspiring examples during the creation 
of our Republic, and more recently has stood by our side as one of our 
closest and most loyal allies.
  The governments of ancient Greece were the original laboratories of 
democratic government. Thousands of years ahead of their time, the 
leaders of these legendary city-states were powered by the then-
revolutionary notion that the choices of individual voters could result 
in a fair, free, democratic government emboldened by the confidence of 
the populace and driven by the interests of its constituents. Centuries 
later, the lessons of their civic experiments would provide the 
intellectual foundation for the birth of America's own democracy. ``To 
the ancient Greeks,'' Thomas Jefferson once proclaimed, ``we are all 
indebted for the light which led ourselves, the American colonies, out 
of Gothic darkness.'
  Forty-five years after the birth of the United States, the Greek 
people determined to fight to end their own ``darkness.'' Following 
both the examples of their forefathers and the encouragement of their 
American contemporaries, the Greeks rebelled against hundreds of years 
of domination by the Ottoman Empire. Their war of independence, which 
began on March 25, 1821, lasted seven years and received the full 
support of the young American nation. President James Monroe described 
the Greek struggle in 1822: ``That such a country should have been 
overwhelmed and so long hidden under a gloomy despotism has been a 
cause of unceasing and deep regret. A strong hope is entertained that 
these people will recover their independence and resume their equal 
station among the nations of the Earth.'' Six years later this battle 
for freedom ended victoriously, as the Greek people overcame seemingly 
insuperable odds to establish a modern state with the intellectual and 
moral strength to match their ancient predecessors.
  The record of the Hellenic Republic shows the realization of this 
early promise. Greece has stood on the front lines of the fight for 
international justice as one of only three nations in the world outside 
of the British Empire to serve on the side of the United States in 
every major international conflict of this century. One our of every 
nine Greeks died while defending their country against Nazi oppression 
during World War II. During the half-century since that brutal 
conflict, a strong and principled Greece has worked with the United 
States as member of NATO, standing firm against communism and, in more 
recent times, the abridgement of human rights in the Balkans and 
elsewhere throughout the world. Throughout all of these obstacles, 
Greece's dedication to democratic principles has remained steadfast and 
proud.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Hellenic Caucus and on behalf of the 
citizens of California's Twelfth Congressional District, I am proud to 
commemorate the 177th anniversary of Greek Independence Day.

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