[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E401-E402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION OF THE DODECANESIAN SOCIETY 
                         OF AMERICA AND CANADA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2001

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the members of the Federation of the Dodecanesian Society of America 
and Canada. The Dodecanesian Islands include the twelve Aegean islands 
of ancient Greece ringing Asia Minor. The goal of the Federation is to 
salute the islands' struggle to remain Greek through years of 
occupation and their ultimate triumph 50 years ago when the twelve 
islands united with modern Greece. The Federation will celebrate their 
50-year independence on Saturday, March 11, 2001.
  The Dodecanesian Islands most certainly have a remarkable history 
that dates back to ancient times. The epic and legendary story of the 
Dodecanesian Islands is truly one of captivating heroics. The chain of 
islands, which include the island of Rhodes whose great colossus was 
one of the seven wonders of the world, are where Hippocrates, the 
father of Medicine, called home and began his first scientific 
investigation of disease and the organs of the body.

[[Page E402]]

  Certain individual Dodecanesian Islands have fascinating histories 
that accurately illustrate Greek history. The Dodecanesian island of 
Patmos sheltered Saint John the Evangelist and it was there he wrote 
the Book of Revelation. The island of Kassos contributed a large fleet 
to the independence struggle and as well a large part of the Greek 
merchant fleet which aided the allied cause in the Second World War. 
Homer writes that the Dodecanesian Islands aided Agamemnon in the siege 
of Troy, where Rhodes bought from ``that most pleasant land'' nine 
``tall ships.''
  Mr. Speaker, the members of the Federation of the Dodecanesian 
Society of America and Canada do valuable work ensuring that the 
American and Canadian Dodecanese decedents develop strong and unbinding 
ties to their homeland of Greece. This organization does an admirable 
job promoting and instilling ``enosis,'' the Greek word for ties to 
one's homeland, for thousands of my constituents and I am proud to 
recognize them today.

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