[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 27, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S2975]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, the annual celebration of Greek 
Independence Day that took place on Sunday, March 25 commemorated the 
independence of Greece after 400 years of oppression under the Ottoman 
Empire. The pages of our history books are filled with contributions 
that the Greeks have made to society. Our system of government, our 
literature, philosophy, religion, and mathematics all have their roots 
in Greek tradition. With the founding of the Olympic Games, the Greek 
people taught us that there is more to be gained through peaceful 
competition than armed conflict.
  Perhaps the greatest contribution that the Greek people have made is 
a simple yet powerful idea that first conceived over 2,000 years ago. 
It is the idea that citizens possessed the power to determine the 
course of a nation. The Athenian republic was the world's first 
democratic state, a fact respected by all free states today.
  The bonds that join the United States and Greece extend back to the 
founding of our country. When drafting our Constitution, our 
forefathers recognized the idealism and spirit of ancient Greece. 
Inspired by our own struggle for independence, Greece followed forty-
five years later with its own struggle for independence. By celebrating 
this day, we pay tribute to those Greek men and women who have made the 
ultimate sacrifice in defense of the common cause of freedom. The 
United States has been able to proudly call Greece an ally in every 
major international conflict of the last century.
  Those Americans that claim Greek heritage can be proud of the 
contributions made by their ancestors. The many Greek sons and 
daughters who have come to the United States have served honorably in 
all walks of American life. Greek culture continues to flourish in 
American cities, thus contributing to the rich ethnic diversity of our 
country. It is with great honor that I commemorate the celebration of 
Greek independence. I look forward to the continuing cooperation and 
lasting friendship between the United States and Greece.

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