[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E562]]
     ON THE OCCASION OF THE 182ND ANNIVERSARY OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL R. McNULTY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 25, 2003

  Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, the American people join with the people of 
Greece in celebrating the 182nd anniversary of the revolution that 
freed the Greek people from the Ottoman Empire.
  The bedrock of our close relationship with Greece is our mutual 
devotion to freedom and democracy and our unshakable determination to 
fight, if need be, to protect these rights.
  Greek philosophers and political leaders--Cleisthenes and Pericles 
and their successors--had great influence upon America's Founding 
Fathers in their creation of these United States.
  We, as a nation, owe a great debt to Greece. Greece is the birthplace 
of democracy, as we know it.
  Thomas Jefferson said, ``To the ancient Greeks, we are all indebted 
for the light which led ourselves (American colonists) out of Gothic 
darkness.''
  The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, were an attack on 
democracy and freedom--not just against our people, but also against 
all freedom-loving people everywhere in the world. The Greek people 
understand this.
  I congratulate the people of Greece and wish them a Happy National 
Birthday.

                          ____________________