[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 7 (Wednesday, February 2, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SENATE RESOLUTION 251--DESIGNATING MARCH 25, 2000, AS ``GREEK 
 INDEPENDENCE DAY: A NATIONAL DAY OF CELEBRATION OF GREEK AND AMERICAN 
                              DEMOCRACY''

  Mr. SPECTER (for himself, Mr. Torricelli, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Biden, Mr. 
DeWine, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kohl, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. 
Robb, Mr. Roth, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Warner, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. 
Sarbanes, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Edwards, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Fitzgerald, 
Mrs. Murray, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Smith of Oregon, Mr. 
Grassley, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Reed, Mr. Levin, and Mr. Enzi) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary:

                               S.Res. 251

       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 President Clinton, during his visit to Greece on 
     November 20, 1999, referred to modern day Greece as ``a 
     beacon of democracy, a regional leader for stability, 
     prosperity and freedom, helping to complete the democratic 
     revolution that ancient Greece began;''
       Whereas these and other ideals have forged a close bond 
     between our 2 nations and their peoples;
       Whereas March 25, 2000, marks the 179th 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, 2000, 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, today I am pleased to submit a resolution 
along with 25 of my colleagues to designate March 25, 2000, as ``Greek 
Independence Day: A Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.''
  One hundred and seventy-nine years ago, the Greeks began the 
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, 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.
  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the 
resolution submitted by Senator Specter designating March 25, 2000 as 
Greek Independence Day. The Greek-American community has made 
significant contributions to the United States. It is in honor of those 
achievements that we recognize Greek Independence Day.
  The ancient Greeks conceived the very notion of democracy when they 
placed the power to govern in the hands of the people. Our founding 
fathers relied on the political and philosophical experiences of 
ancient Greece to create the government we have today. As a result, 
America's close relationship with Greece is long and historic. I 
believe that James Monroe best expressed America's feelings toward 
Greece when he said, ``The mention of Greece fills the mind with the 
most exalted sentiments and arouses in our bosoms the best feeling of 
which our nature is susceptible.''
  As Greece fought for its independence in the 1820s, the American 
Revolution became a driving ideal. In fact, Greek intellectuals 
translated our own Declaration of Independence to use as their 
statement of freedom. By the end of World War II, Greece was one of our 
most important allies in the region as it fought to stem the Communist 
tide across Europe. In 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower 
appropriately noted this effort when he said, ``. . . Greece asked no 
favor except the opportunity to stand for the rights which it believed, 
and it gave to the world an example of battle, a battle that thrilled 
the hearts of all free men and free women everywhere.''
  Today, we know that Greece is one of only three nations in the world 
which has allied itself with the United States in every major 
international conflict this century. Through immigration, we have grown 
even closer. During the early 1900s, one out of every four Greek males 
between the ages of 15 and 45 emigrated to the United States. Greek-
Americans have the highest median educational attainment among all 
American ethnic nationalities, and they are now a successful and 
integral part of this country.
  The relationship between Greece and America is a unique one which has 
survived the test of war and the looming threat of Communism. We owe a 
great deal to Greece, and to its people who have chosen to make America 
their home. Greek civilization touches our lives as Americans and 
enhances the cultural existence of this great nation. I hope my 
colleagues will join me in expressing our gratitude to Greece and all 
Greek-Americans for the role they have played in building this country.

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