[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 36 (Thursday, March 6, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3333-S3334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 78--DESIGNATING MARCH 25, 2003, AS ``GREEK
INDEPENDENCE DAY: A NATIONAL DAY OF CELEBRATION OF GREEK AND AMERICAN
DEMOCRACY''
Mr. SPECTER (for himself, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Biden, Mr. Bingaman, Mrs.
Boxer, Mr. Carper, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Coleman, Ms. Collins,
Mr. Corzine, Mr. Daschle, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Domenici, Mr.
Dorgan, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Feingold, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr.
Fitzgerald, Mr. Graham of South Carolina, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Gregg, Mr.
[[Page S3334]]
Hagel, Mr. Hollings, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kennedy,
Mr. Kerry, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lieberman, Mr.
Lott, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Nelson of Florida,
Mr. Reed, Mr. Reid, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Santorum, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr.
Sessions, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Smith, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Sununu,
Mr. Thomas, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Warner, and Mr. Wyden) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary:
S. Res. 78
Whereas the ancient Greeks developed the concept of
democracy, in which the supreme power to govern was vested in
the people;
Whereas the Founding Fathers of the United States drew
heavily on the political experience and philosophy of ancient
Greece in forming our representative democracy;
Whereas Greek Commander in Chief Petros Mavromichalis, a
founder of the modern Greek state, said to the citizens of
the United States in 1821, ``it is in your land that liberty
has fixed her abode and . . . in imitating you, we shall
imitate our ancestors and be thought worthy of them if we
succeed in resembling you'';
Whereas Greece is 1 of only 3 nations in the world, beyond
the former British Empire, that has been allied with the
United States in every major international conflict for more
than 100 years;
Whereas Greece played a major role in the World War II
struggle to protect freedom and democracy through such
bravery as was shown in the historic Battle of Crete and in
presenting the Axis land war with its first major setback,
setting off a chain of events that significantly affected the
outcome of World War II;
Whereas the price for Greece in holding our common values
in their region was high, as hundreds of thousands of
civilians were killed in Greece during the World War II
period;
Whereas President George W. Bush, in recognizing Greek
Independence Day on March 25, 2002, said, ``Greece and
America have been firm allies in the great struggles for
liberty. Americans will always remember Greek heroism and
Greek sacrifice for the sake of freedom . . . [and] as the
21st Century dawns, Greece and America once again stand
united; this time in the fight against terrorism. The United
States deeply appreciates the role Greece is playing in the
war against terror. . . . America and Greece are strong
allies, and we're strategic partners.'';
Whereas Greece is a stabilizing force by virtue of its
political and economic power in the volatile Balkan region
and is one of the fastest growing economies in Europe;
Whereas on January 1, 2003, Greece took over the Presidency
of the European Union for the fourth time since it joined the
Union in 1981 with the message of ``Our Europe: Sharing the
Future in a Community of Values'';
Whereas Greece, through excellent work and cooperation with
United States and international law enforcement agencies,
recently arrested key members of the November 17 terrorist
organization;
Whereas President Bush stated that Greece's ``successful
law enforcement operations against a terrorist organization
[November 17] responsible for three decades of terrorist
attacks underscore the important contributions Greece is
making to the global war on terrorism'';
Whereas Greece's unprecedented Olympic security effort,
including a record-setting expenditure of over $600,000,000
and the utilization of a 7-member Olympic Security Advisory
Group which includes the United States, will contribute to a
safe and secure environment for staging the 2004 Olympic
Games in Athens, Greece;
Whereas Greece, geographically located in a region where
Christianity meets Islam and Judaism, maintains excellent
relations with Muslim nations and Israel;
Whereas Greece has had extraordinary success in recent
years in furthering cross-cultural understanding and reducing
tensions between Greece and Turkey;
Whereas Greece and the United States are at the forefront
of the effort for freedom, democracy, peace, stability, and
human rights;
Whereas those and other ideals have forged a close bond
between our 2 nations and their peoples;
Whereas March 25, 2003, marks the 182nd anniversary of the
beginning of the revolution that freed the Greek people from
the Ottoman Empire; and
Whereas it is proper and desirable to celebrate with the
Greek people and to reaffirm the democratic principles from
which our 2 great nations were born: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates March 25, 2003, as ``Greek Independence Day:
A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American
Democracy''; and
(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation
calling on the people of the United States to observe the day
with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, today I am pleased to submit a resolution
along with 52 of my colleagues to designate March 25, 2003, as ``Greek
Independence Day: A Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.''
One hundred and eighty two years ago, the Greek people began the
revolution that would free them from the Ottoman Empire and return
Greece to its democratic heritage. It was, of course, the ancient
Greeks who developed the concept of democracy in which the supreme
power to govern was vested in the people. Our Founding Fathers drew
heavily upon the political and philosophical experience of ancient
Greece in forming our representative democracy. Thomas Jefferson
proclaimed that, ``to the ancient Greeks . . . we are all indebted for
the light which led ourselves out of Gothic darkness.'' It is fitting,
then, that we should recognize the anniversary of the beginning of
their efforts to return to that democratic tradition.
The democratic form of government is only one of the most obvious of
the many benefits we have gained from the Greek people. The ancient
Greeks contributed a great deal to the modern world, particularly to
the United States of America, in the areas of art, philosophy, science
and law. Today, Greek-Americans continue to enrich our culture and make
valuable contributions to American society, business, and government.
It is my hope that strong support for this resolution in the Senate
will serve as a clear goodwill gesture to the people of Greece with
whom we have enjoyed such a close bond throughout history. Similar
resolutions have been passed by the Senate since 1984 with overwhelming
support. Accordingly, I urge my Senate colleagues to join me in
supporting this important resolution.
I ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in the Record.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today I rise before the Senate in support
of a Senate Resolution submitted today by my colleague Senator Specter.
This resolution designates March 25 of this year as ``Greek
Independence Day: A day of celebration for Greek and American
democracy.''
The people of ancient Greece made important, lasting contributions to
humanity in the fields of literature, philosophy, mathematics, and the
physical sciences. The greatest part of their legacy, though, is a
simple yet powerful idea that was born over 2,000 years ago. It is the
idea that citizens should possess the power to determine the course of
their Nation.
The bonds that join the United States and Greece are deep and long
lasting. In 1821, Greek Commander in Chief Petros Mavromichalis said to
the citizens of the United States: ``it is in your land that liberty
has fixed her abode and . . . in imitating you, we shall imitate our
ancestors and be thought worthy of them if we succeed in resembling
you.'' Since modern Greece's struggle for independence 182 years ago,
our countries have stood to together as allies and friends. We have
peacefully worked together in every major international conflict.
Today, Greece continues to embrace the ideals of freedom, democracy,
and peace. The past few years have witnessed hopeful new steps toward
the resolution of a number of the world's longstanding conflicts and
animosities. With its strategic location at the nexus of Europe, Asia
and Africa, Greece has been a key participant in many of these efforts.
In particular, it has played a pivotal role in promoting
democratization, economic development and, above all, peace in the
Balkans.
In honoring Greek Independence Day, we pay special tribute to those
Greek men and women who gave their lives for the common cause of
freedom. Greek-Americans can especially take pride in their ancestors'
sacrifice. The many Greek sons and daughters who have come to the
United States have worked honorably in all areas of American life,
including public service. Greek culture flourishes in American cities,
adding to our country's rich diversity.
It is with great honor that I join my colleagues in recognizing this
anniversary of Greek independence. Our two great nations have fought to
maintain freedom and established democracy throughout the world. In
designating March 25 of this year as ``Greek Independence Day'', we
celebrate the freedom that these two great nations represent.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to my colleagues
about this important date.
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