[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 39 (Thursday, March 22, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E424-E425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CELEBRATING GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2001

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join my Colleagues 
and the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues this evening in 
celebrating the 180th anniversary of Greece's independence.
  March 25, 2001 marks the beginning of the revolution that freed the 
Greek people from the Ottomans. After almost 400 years of slavery under 
the oppressive Ottoman Empire--during which time the Greek people did 
not enjoy any civil rights, including the right to an education or to 
worship in their religion--the people of Greece took up arms and risked 
their lives to successfully fight for their freedom. This date also 
marks the creation of modern Greece.
  That is why commemorating Greek Independence Day is so important and 
why I am proud to join our Greek brothers and sisters in celebrating 
this great milestone. As someone who fled communism, I am fully aware 
of how precious our freedom is and what a joyous occasion this is to 
the Greek-American community and to freedom lovers everywhere.
  The Greek influence is inherent in our own democratic form of 
government. As Thomas Jefferson has stated, ``. . . to the ancient 
Greeks . . . we are all indebted for the light which led ourselves 
[American colonists] out of Gothic darkness.'' This quote illustrates 
how much Greek democratic ideals helped forge our own government, 
including the right of self-governance, independence, and freedom.
  But we need not only look behind us to appreciate the gifts Greece 
has given us. In recent history, Greece has also been a great friend of 
the United States. For example, according to research conducted by the 
The National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes, Greece is only one of 
three nations in the world, beyond the British Empire, that has been 
allied with the United States in every major international conflict in 
this century.
  Today, in the United States, Greek-Americans are one of the most 
successful nationalities. According to data obtained by the U.S. 
Census, children of the first Greeks who became United States citizens 
ranked first in median educational attainment among the American ethnic 
nationalities. Greeks and Greek-Americans in this country have made 
many invaluable contributions to society in the areas of medicine, fine 
arts, sports, and education. It is only fitting that we also recognize 
these individuals who are the product of an independent Greek society.
  I am proud to know many Greek and Greek-American individuals and am 
honored to celebrate Greek Independence Day. I ask my Colleagues to 
join me in paying tribute to such a special celebration.

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