[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E396-E397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

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                               speech of

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 19, 2002

  Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a Member of the Hellenic 
Caucus to recognize the great nation of Greece and celebrate its 181st 
anniversary of independence from the Ottoman Empire.
  We all know of ancient Greece as the birthplace of democratic ideals, 
from Solon, the lawmaker who framed Athens' Constitution; to Pericles, 
the leader of that City-State's democratic political movement; and the 
philosophers Socrates and Plato.
  However, 181 years ago Greece engineered a new democratic movement by 
overthrowing the Ottoman Empire which had ruled the nation for more 
than 400 years and declaring independence.
  The war for independence began on March 25, 1821, in the monastery of 
Hagia Lavra, Kalavryta.
  It was here that Germanos, the bishop of Paleon Patron, raised the 
banner of the revolution and blessed the arms of the captains of the 
revolting Greeks.
  The Greeks' struggle for freedom inspired many Americans, who noted 
the parallels to our own revolutionary battle just 46 years prior.
  In fact, many Americans left our country to fight for Greek 
independence, and the U.S. Congress also provided financial assistance 
for the war effort.
  And today, many citizens of Greek descent--including nearly 1,000 in 
my district, the 31st District of California--call the United States 
their home.
  Indeed, with more than 3 million people of Greek descent living in 
the United States, our commitment to this great Hellenic nation has not 
diminished.
  Indeed, it grows stronger every day.
  From our mutual efforts to establish peaceful relations in the 
Balkans to the transfer of the Olympic Games from Salt Lake City to 
Athens, the United States and Greece have worked hand-in-hand.
  It is my hope that this relationship will grow and prosper as the 
years continue.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in commemorating Greek 
Independence Day and saluting the people of Greece for their 
contributions to our own wonderful nation and the world.

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