[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S2034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 50--DESIGNATING GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY: A NATIONAL 
           DAY OF CELEBRATION OF GREEK AND AMERICAN DEMOCRACY

  Mr. SPECTER (for himself, Mr. Biden, Mr. Abraham, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. 
Cochran, Mr. Breaux, Mr. Dodd, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Domenici, 
Mr. Edwards, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Grassley, Mr. 
Hollings, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Lugar, Mr. 
Kerrey, Mr. Murkowski, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Roth, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Sessions, Mr. 
Lautenberg, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Levin, Mr. Smith of New Hampshire, Mr. 
Lieberman, Mr. Smith of Oregon, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Moynihan, 
Mr. Stevens, Mr. Warner, Mr. Robb, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Rockfeller, Mr. 
Hatch, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Schumer, and Mr. Torricelli) submitted the 
following resolution, which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 50

       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, 1999, marks the 178th 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, 1999, 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.

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I am pleased to submit today a resolution 
along with 49 of my colleagues to designate March 25, 1999, as ``Greek 
Independence Day: A Celebration of Greek and American Democrary.''
  One hundred and seventy-eight years ago, the Greek people bagan a 
revolution 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 out 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, philosphy, 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.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to cosponsor the Senate 
resolution designating March 25, 1999 as ``Greek Independence Day.'' 
March 25 marks the 178th anniversary of the beginning of the revolution 
which freed the Greek people from the Ottoman Empire.
  America is composed of a wide variety of cultures, joined together by 
their belief in fundamental principles of human dignity. Through their 
arts, literature, culture, food and dance, Greek-Americans have 
contributed to the diversity and strength of the United States. 
Immigration from Greece first started in 1767 and then began in earnest 
in the late 19th century, when 1,309 immigrants arrived at Ellis Island 
between 1890 and 1900. A steady stream continued during the ensuing 
decades, especially during the Greek Civil War from 1944 to 1949. I am 
proud to represent the state of Michigan which boasts a large Greek-
American community.
  Greece, the birthplace of philosophy and of democracy, has given the 
world Plato and Aristotle, Homer and Sophocles. Greeks have brought 
their rich tradition to America, making our nation stronger. I join the 
Greek-American community in Michigan and throughout our nation in 
celebrating this anniversary of the modern revolution which brought 
freedom to the Greek people.
  I take great pleasure in cosponsoring a resolution designating March 
25, 1999 as ``Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of 
Greek and American Democracy.''

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