[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CELEBRATING GREEK INDEPENDENCE

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                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate with my colleagues the 
180th anniversary of Greek independence. Greek culture has been a 
foundation for the world, spreading from the dense forests of India to 
the shores of the United States. Its contributions pervade the 
sciences, arts and literature, and political theory and practice.
  The most important influence came from the polis (city-state) of 
Athens. Unlike the city-states of Corinth, whose mastery of trade and 
commerce gave it prominence, or Sparta, whose discipline and military 
gave it strength, Athens drew its power from ideas. The leaders of 
Athens recognized the equality of its citizens; that progress would be 
made in stressing not the strength, class, or wealth of any individual, 
but his ability.
  Recognizing that ability is a product of each person's character and 
not an attribute fated in birth, they strove to promote opportunity for 
each Athenian citizen to live to the best of his abilities. They 
concluded that in order for its society to be open, free, and just, the 
optimal type of government was one in which the people could directly 
participate in their governance. Because of its democracy, Athenian 
civilization achieved unparalleled influence, not only during its time, 
but historically as well.
  But we are also paying tribute to the re-emergence of Greek 
independence. After hundreds of years of governance by foreign powers, 
the people of Greece rose up as gloriously as their mythological heroes 
to overcome the Ottoman Empire. Greece's triumphant return to 
independence in 1821 symbolizes that the light of democracy can only be 
eclipsed, but never extinguished.
  Yet we also learn from the Greeks that there can be a negative effect 
of military, financial, and cultural success: hubris, or arrogant 
pride. This, as much as anything else we learn from Greek civilization, 
is crucial for us to understand and learn. Greece, at the height of its 
power, because of complacency, neglect, and pride became a victim of 
its own success. And we must learn from this failure as much as from 
its success. In the spirit of Greek thought and examination, we must 
ask ourselves: Will we be guilty of inciting our adversaries, of 
manipulating our neighbors and allies? Will we destroy the rights and 
life of an individual so the majority will not be bothered by criticism 
and truth?
  The United States owes many of its achievements to what we have 
learned, or borrowed, from the Greeks. Our two histories are very much 
intertwined. We now bask in the light of our own Golden Age. But we 
must realize that what befell the Athenians, the Spartans, and the 
Corinthians could happen to us. What we do with our Golden Age dictates 
our future for years to come. The decisions we make, both domestically 
and internationally, are critical to our future, even at the height of 
our power. What will be said of us two millenia from now? Will we be 
judged a success--or a failure?
  Today, we celebrate the freedom of those who first gave birth to the 
very concept. The enduring legacy of Greece lies as much in the triumph 
of regaining independence as much as in its first establishment. We 
honor the Greek spirit and celebrate the liberation of a people and 
culture whose gifts transcend all ages.

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