[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CELEBRATING GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

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                           HON. VITO FOSSELLA

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 25, 2003

  Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, today we are gathered to recognize the 
Greek in their 182nd year of independence. It was the ancient Greeks 
who coined the ideas of freedom and justice that we founded our country 
on. And March 25th celebrates the freedom that Greeks enjoy since their 
war of independence.
  In 1821, Greeks forcefully rose up against the oppressive Ottoman 
Empire, which had occupied Greece for nearly 400 years, embarking on 
the ultimately successful war of independence. This war was to the same 
likes that the United States engaged in nearly half a century earlier 
during the American Revolution. Fighting side by side through two World 
Wars, Greece and the United States remain committed allies in 
maintaining and strengthening freedom throughout the World.
  My district of Staten Island and Brooklyn celebrates the Greek 
heritage as an important part of our community, providing diversity and 
culture to our schools and neighborhoods.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to congratulate the Greek people for 
182 years of independence and thank them for their contributions to 
American life.




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