[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H1451-H1454]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise proudly to celebrate Greek
Independence Day, an event which marks the symbolic rebirth of
democracy.
On March 25, 1821, Archbishop Germanos of Patras raised the flag of
freedom and was the first to declare Greece free. We honor the valiant
Greek freedom fighters who began an arduous struggle to win
independence for Greece and its people 179 years ago.
Although many Greeks died, they were undeterred from their ultimate
goal. ``Eleftheria I Thanatos,'' liberty or death, became the Greek
patriots' battle cry, a cry all too familiar to us because of the
similar pronouncement of Patrick Henry, who said ``Give me liberty or
give me death.''
One particular story best signifies the spirit which existed then. A
significant wave of rebellion against Turkish oppression was ignited by
the fiercely patriotic Suliotes villagers who took refuge from Turkish
authorities in the mountains of Epiros.
{time} 1715
When the Suliotes women, left alone, learned that Turkish troops were
fast approaching their village, they began to dance the ``Syrtos,'' a
patriotic Greek dance. One by one they committed suicide by throwing
themselves and their children off Mount Zalongo. They chose to die
rather than surrender and face slavery.
When news of the revolution arrived in the United States after the
initial uprising, there were widespread feelings of compassion. This
sentiment was shared by several American presidents, including James
Monroe and John Quincy Adams. Each conveyed his support for the
revolution through his annual messages to Congress.
William Harrison, our ninth president, expressed his belief in
freedom for Greece, saying, and I quote him, ``We must send our free
will offering. The Star-Spangled Banner,'' he went on to say, ``must
wave in the Aegean, a message of fraternity and friendship to Greece.''
So we should not overlook the fact that American leaders have always
[[Page H1452]]
been drawn to Greece's democratic ideals. In drafting our constitution,
American colonial leaders cited Greek and Roman sources. The very basis
of our constitution derives from Aristotle and was put into practice in
ancient Rome. As Thomas Jefferson once said, ``To the ancient Greeks we
are all indebted for the light which led ourselves, American colonists,
out of Gothic darkness.''
Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Gekas).
Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me.
Every year the gentleman faithfully executes his special order for
remembrance of March 25 and what it means to Americans of Greek
descent.
The recollections I have as a young person in attending the Greek
Orthodox church in my community was that this particular holiday was a
blend of two momentous events in the life of a Greek Orthodox
Christian. One was the Celebration of the Annunciation and, at the same
time, the ethnic revolutionary epic of the revolution to which the
gentleman has referred. This blending of both faith and nationalism has
made this particular holiday very distinct and very unusual. And it
evokes memories not only of those two events simultaneously occurring
but the fact that they helped us, those young Americans of Greek
descent, recognize the value of being Americans.
We, as Americans, were able to see that democracy's home, Greece, had
an inexorable link with the founding of our country, our United States,
and continues to have this absolutely wonderful bond between the
democracies that we both cherish.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for always joining
me year after year after year in this special order.
Mr. Speaker, we all know that the price of liberty can be very high,
hundreds of thousands of lives. Socrates, Plato, Pericles, and many
other great scholars throughout history warned we maintain democracy
only at great cost. The freedom we enjoy today is due to a large degree
to the sacrifices made by men and women in the past, in Greece, in
America, and all over the world.
Unfortunately, there are several countries where the struggle for
freedom continues, and tensions persist in the former Yugoslavia,
Kosovo, the Middle East, Africa, Greece, and Turkey, and particularly
in the Republic of Cyprus. Turkey still illegally occupies a large part
of Cyprus, as it has since its brutal invasion in 1974. The United
States has exerted its influence to improve chances for peace in the
Middle East and Northern Ireland. Now it is time for the U.S. to
promote a fair solution for Cyprus.
Turkey continues to refute U.N. resolutions on Cyprus. Our Nation has
the influence to encourage to Turkey to abide by the U.N. resolutions
which set out conditions and suggestions for a settlement. Turkey also
needs to respect international law regarding Greek sovereignty in the
Aegean.
Mr. Speaker, on a more optimistic note, the chronically strained
relations between Greece and Turkey have recently become less in the
aftermath of severe earthquakes that hit both countries last summer.
The acts of humanity that Greece and Turkey demonstrated in aiding each
other generated a new favorable world sentiment and opened a new
chapter in the relations between the two countries. Consistent with
this new spirit of cooperation, Greece has moderated its previous
inflexible objection to Turkey's acceptance to membership in the
European Union. Hopefully, this new spirit will gain momentum and
thereby help to restore harmony and peaceful coexistence between the
two countries.
Mr. Speaker, we celebrate Greek independence to reaffirm the common
democratic heritage we share. Greek Independence Day, like the Fourth
of July, reminds us that we have the duty to defend liberty--whatever
the cost. To maintain our freedom, we can take neither it nor its
architects for granted. That is why we honor those who secured
independence for Greece so many years ago.
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and profound
admiration that I rise today to recognize the 179th anniversary of
Greek Independence.
March 25th is a date that will live forever in the hearts and minds
of Greeks and Greek-Americans. On March 25, 1821, after nearly 400
years under the Ottoman yoke, the Greeks revolted against the Turks and
after a fierce struggle won their independence. During all these years
of occupation the people of Greece kept their language, their religion
and their sense of identity.
We share with the people of Greece this fierce spirit of independence
and love of freedom.
A country with a history stretching back almost 4,000 years, Greece
is the cradle of democracy and its great philosophers were an
invaluable inspiration for our founding fathers. In ancient Athens they
found a model for the new democracy they were going to establish in
America.
For many years, Greece has been a reliable ally of the United States.
During World War II, the Greeks sided unanimously with the Allies. The
years of German occupation were a particularly hard time for Greece.
Starvation decimated the population while executions and deportations
contributed to the catastrophe. But from the first moments of the
occupation a mass resistance movement came into being, bravely fighting
the Nazi conquerors.
After enduring a military dictatorship, the Greek people from 1974
onwards devoted all their efforts to consolidating democracy in the
land of its birth and laying the foundations for a better life. Today,
Greece is a member of NATO and the European Union and remains faithful
to the cause of peace and democracy.
My fellow colleagues, please join me as we celebrate Greek
independence and remember those of Greek heritage who are living in the
United States and have contributed so greatly to our communities and
our country.
Mr. TIERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak today in honor of the
179th anniversary of Greek independence. As a member of the
Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, I join my colleagues in paying
tribute to the Greek nation and its people.
Over the last year, Greece has continued to be an active and
important member of the international community. During the devastating
earthquakes that ravaged Turkey last year, Greece reached out its hand
to help its neighbor. This act of kindness was inspiring to us all,
proving that it is possible to set aside differences in times of need.
We should not be surprised, though, by Greece's actions. As a member of
NATO and the European Union, Greece has continually shown its
commitment to international peace and security.
The United States and Greece share a common philosophy that promotes
democracy. Of course, it was Greece that paved the way for the great
experiment which became the United States of America. Every American
who enjoys freedom and democracy owes the Greek people a debt of
gratitude for inspiring our founding fathers.
On behalf of the people of the Sixth Congressional district of
Massachusetts and myself, I wish to extend congratulations to the
people of Greece on this happy occasion. I am honored to have been
selected to be one of two Grand Marshals in this year's Independence
Day parade in Boston and know the day will be enjoyed by many. I look
forward to many more years of happy and productive relations between
the United States and Greece.
Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join in this special order
commemorating Greek Independence Day.
As a Member of Congress representing a district with a great many
Greek-American constituents, I am well aware of the many contributions
that Greek Americans have made to our nation. Today I join over 1
million Greek Americans and the people of Greece in commemorating the
fight for Greek independence.
It is only fitting that the Congress of the United States commemorate
the struggle that led Greek independence. The ancient city-states of
Greece made many vital contributions to western civilization. The
foundations of Western literature, drama, science, architecture, and
philosophy were laid by the people of ancient Greece. The Greek
language has enriched other languages with words and concepts like
philanthropy, harmony, music, techne, sophistication, architecture,
ecology and thousands of others. But perhaps ancient Greece's most
important gift to the modern world was the creation of the concept of
democratic self-government. The Founding Fathers of this country,
educated in the classics, looked to the ancient Greeks, among others,
for insight and inspiration when they were working to form a new
national government.
179 years ago, however, when our country was prospering under its
newly established democratic government, Greece--the cradle of
democracy--was a subjugated nation ruled by the Ottoman Empire. In
fact, at that point, the Ottoman Empire had dominated the Greek people
for over 400 years, and many Greeks were finding Ottoman rule to be
increasingly oppressive and unacceptable.
Greek patriots rose up against the Ottomans in March of 1821. The
struggle of the courageous Greek patriots against a powerful empire won
the support of many influential figures in Western Europe and the
United States. Europeans and Americans identified with the Greek
people--the descendants of the nation that had so strongly influenced
western civilization. The French, British, and
[[Page H1453]]
Russian governments eventually intervened in the conflict on the
Greeks' behalf and forced the Ottoman Empire to recognize Greece as an
independent state in 1829.
Mr. Speaker, thousands of Greek patriots fought and died for their
country's freedom with the same passion that inspired the Founding
Fathers. Consequently, it is appropriate that we remember them today,
the 179th anniversary of the beginning of the struggle for Greek
independence. I am pleased to join my colleagues in commemorating this
very special day.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise on this occasion on
which we salute the great nation and people of Greece, the Hellenic
Republic as they celebrate the 179th anniversary of Greece's
independence. I commend the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Bilirakis for
taking the initiative once again to ensure that members have the
opportunity to convey our thoughts on this important day. The United
States and Greece have enjoyed a long and close relationship. The
people of the United States recognize and revere Greece as the cradle
of the democratic tradition that has allowed this country to rise to
the heights of its greatness.
We are fortunate to have benefitted from the contributions of those
immigrants from Greece who have contributed their toil, their knowledge
and their culture to our American civilization, and we appreciate the
warmth of the citizens of Greece reflected in the welcome they provide
to Americans that are fortunate enough to be able to visit the shores
of Greece, its beautiful islands and countryside.
Greece plays an important role in helping to stabilize the Balkans,
one of the more dangerous neighborhoods of Europe. In our International
Relations Committee we keep the relations between Greece and the United
States under close review. I am pleased to report that the state of
those relations is healthy. I am calling on this occasion for our
government to support the process of reconciliation that is now
underway between our two NATO allies, Greece and Turkey. The Congress
is fully supportive of this effort, and we hope for an outcome that
will produce lasting stability in this strategically vital part of the
world.
I hope that all my colleagues and fellow citizens will avail
themselves of this occasion to reflect upon the blessings of democracy,
for which we will be forever indebted to the ancient Hellenes, and upon
our good fortune today in having such a close and reliable ally as the
great nation of Greece.
Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, it is with great enthusiasm
that I stand before you today to recognize the 179th anniversary of
Greece, one of our nation's closest allies. I want to praise my
colleagues from Florida and New York for their efforts in organizing
this special order and also for organizing the Congressional Caucus on
Hellenic issues.
It is no secret that the democratic principles of equality and
freedom were advocated by great Greek thinkers. These principles served
as an inspiration to our founding fathers and were heavily relied upon
as they drafted the Declaration of Independence and the United States
Constitution. In the words of Thomas Jefferson: ``to the ancient Greeks
* * * we are all indebted for the light which led ourselves out of * *
* darkness.'' Just as today's youth is educated on our nation's humble
beginnings by studying the lives of the framers, they should also learn
about the great Greek thinkers whose visions of democracy helped our
nation advance towards a free society.
The ties that bind Greece and the United States also extend towards
the common role that our respective countries played in revolting
against oppressive rule. Borrowing from the successful experience that
our young nation utilized to free itself of English rule, the people of
Greece rose up and declared their independence from the Ottoman Empire.
After a long decade of struggle, freedom came to Greece. Just as it did
in the democratic world at the time, their victory continues to inspire
us today.
Greece has contributed to this nation in many other ways. The hard
work of Greek-Americans has made an impact on our nation, especially in
Greek communities such as Providence, Pawtucket and Newport, Rhode
Island. It is a great honor to be able to represent the people of these
communities in the United States Congress.
As the birthplace of classical political thought, as a strong ally to
the United States, and as the motherland to the many valuable Greek
immigrants who reside within our borders, Greece is indeed a country
worthy of much praise. Again, I thank my colleagues for all their hard
work in making this Special Order and I look forward to working with
the Hellenic Caucus for the advancement of Greek issues.
Mr. WEYGAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise proudly in recognition of the 179th
anniversary of Greek Independence and for the common democratic
heritage shared by Greece and the United States. The struggle and
victory of the Greek people against their Ottoman oppressors deserves
special recognition for its contribution to human freedom and the
trumplh of demcratic ideals and self-determination over those of
tyranny and empire.
In 1821, the people of Greece, inspired by the American Revolution,
broke out in open rebellion against four centuries of foreign
occupation in an effort to rule themselves in accordance with the
principles of democracy first developed in ancient Greece. Fully
cognizant and proud of their past, the Greeks strove for their own
traditions and engaged in an independence movement that can only be
described as heroic and inspirational to all free peoples.
The Greeks defeated not only the Ottoman Turks to gain their
independence, but also the Concert of Europe established at the
Congress of Vienna following the Napoleonic wars. After decades of
chaos and revolution, the Great Powers created an international system
based upon conservative, counter-revolutionary rule designed to empower
the monarchs and imperial states of the Continent with the primary goal
of stability. Freedom, democracy and self-determination were not
recognized by the statesmen of Europe as legitimate claims to
independence.
However, the people of Europe, in spite of their leaders beliefs,
were inspired by the Greek cause and their struggle for freedom over
tyranny. Recognizing that nothing would stop the Greek people from
realizing their dreams and faced with a popular, just cause, the Great
Powers of Europe embraced a free and independent Greece. It is a
testament to the Greeks that they, and they alone were the only people
to achieve independence in the first quarter of the 19th century
despite many attempts by other peoples of Europe.
The Greek patriots' battle cry ``Eleftheria I thanatos''--liberty of
death--brings immediately to mind Patrick Henry's revolutionary speech
``Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price
of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course
others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!'' As
we know America's revolutionaries of the 18th century were inspired by
the traditions and philosophy of Greek antiquity. The influence and
contributions of the Greeks to modern democracy, are to say the least,
incalculable. We, as Americans, cannot place enough emphasis on the
political and social contributions of the Greeks to our own nation.
``Our Constitution is called a democracy because power is in the
hands not of a minority but of the whole people. When it is a question
of settling private disputes, everyone is equal before the law; when it
is a question of putting one person before another in positions of
public responsibility, what counts is not a membership of a particular
class, but the actual ability which the man possesses''.
The statement, Mr. Speaker, was not made by our Founding Fathers, but
by Pericles in an address more than two thousand years ago. With that,
I would like to thank my colleagues for holding this special order and
once again congratulate Greece on the anniversary of it's independence.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege once again to take time
to reflect and honor Greek Independence Day from the floor of the U.S.
House of Representatives. March 25, 2000 marked the 179th Anniversary
of the beginning of the revolution that freed the Greek people from the
Ottoman Empire.
For almost 400 years, from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 until
the declaration of Greek Independence in 1821, Greece remained under
the rule of the Ottoman Empire. These were dark centuries for the
nation that was the cradle of Western democracy, philosophy and art.
During this time, Greeks were deprived of all civil rights. Their
schools and churches were shut down. Greek Christian and Jewish boys
were kidnapped from their families and raised as Moslems to serve the
Sultan.
Shortly after Greece regained her independence, in December 1823, the
great and famous U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, Daniel
Webster, reflected on this time in Greek history, ``This (Greek)
people, a people of intelligence, ingenuity, refinement, spirit and
enterprise, have been for centuries under the atrocious unparalleled
Tartarian barbarism that ever oppressed the human race.'' We are all
proud of the fact that many volunteers from across the United States
went to Greene to participate in the war for Greek independence.
Greece and the United States have always been linked by their common
histories of waging wars for independence, their beliefs in freedom and
basic human rights, and their commitment to democracy. We are also
closely tied by blood. During the 1900s, one in every four Greek males
between the ages of 15 and 45 departed for the United States. Today,
American society flourishes and benefits from the contributions of the
descendents of these original Greek immigrants. Further forging the
links of blood and sacrifice, over 600,000 Greeks died fighting on the
side of the Allies during World War II and in the civil war that
followed--that was nine percent of the entire population of Greece at
the time.
[[Page H1454]]
Massachusetts, with such famous Greek Americans as Governor Michael
Dukakis and Senator Paul Tsongas, has a rich Greek American culture. In
my hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts, the Greek Orthodox Cathedral
of St. Spyridon, under the leadership of Father Dean Paleologos,
reminds us of this vibrant Greek American community. Each year, in
Worcester, this important day is celebrated by teaching children to
recite poetry and songs commemorating their past and their heritage.
Today, we see the generous heart of Greece at work again, as
President Stephanopoulos and Foreign Minister Papandreou endeavor to
end decades of hosility between Greece and Turkey. The improved climate
of relations between Greece and Turkey cultivated by these Greek
leaders continues to sustain hopes that some of the long unresolved
issues between these two nations may eventually be tackled.
In a concrete way, Greece has moved toward better relations with
Turkey. Following an arrangement made when Mr. Papandreou visited
Ankara last January, a delegation of Greek Foreign Ministry officials,
headed by Secretary-General Stelios Perrakis, opened discussion in the
Turkish capital on February 28th to impart Greece's knowledge and
experience, as a member of the European Union, on the measures and
methods Turkey needs to pursue in its own quest to become a member of
the EU.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my gratitude and
respect to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the
gentlelady from New York (Mrs. Carolyn Maloney) for their leadership of
the Hellenic Caucus. Through their hard work, all Members of this House
are better educated on and involved in the challenging issues facing
modern Greece today.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to commemorate the 179th
anniversary of Greece's independence from the Ottoman Empire, and to
celebrate the shared democratic traditions of Greece and the United
States.
Greece declared its independence on March 25, 1821, ending nearly 400
years of domination by the Ottoman Empire and restoring a democratic
heritage to the very cradle of democracy.
The special relationship between the people of Greece and the United
States has been reinforced throughout our country's short history. Our
Founding Fathers established this nation based on the teachings of
ancient Greek philosophers and their struggle to build a democratic
society. And, in turn, the American experience inspired the Greek
people in their struggle for independence nearly 180 years ago.
Our shared democratic ideals have formed the basis of a strong and
sustained friendship between Greece and the United States, and even
today, Greece remains one of our most important allies and trusted
partners in the global community.
And the many contributions of Greek-Americans to shaping our society
and building our cultural heritage have been as critical to the United
States as its friendship with Greece. My district in New York has
benefitted immeasurably from the many contributions of our Greek-
American community over the years.
I am proud to join my colleagues today in commemoration of Greek
Independence Day, and in celebration of the many contributions of
Greece and Greek-Americans to the United States and the world.
____________________