[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 125 (Wednesday, October 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             OXI DAY SPEECH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 5, 2004

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join the Hellenic-Americans and 
Philhellenes in my district and throughout the country in celebrating 
``OXI Day (No Day),'' which falls on the 28th of October. This year 
marks the 64th anniversary of a very important day in Hellenic history, 
the day on which brave Greek patriots said ``No'' to fascism, ``No'' to 
injustice, and ``No'' to slavery.
  For those individuals who lived through that momentous period and 
their descendants, many of whom live in the 14th Congressional District 
of New York, ``OXI Day'' is more than a memory: It is the embodiment of 
Hellenism and its highest ideals.
  On October 28, 1940, a terrifying sound went up throughout all Greek 
cities and towns, the sound of sirens and klaxons announcing the 
invasion of Greece by the Nazis. Walls that before had echoed only with 
the tolling of church bells now reverberated with the din of alarms.
  At a time when Europe was descending into the inferno of another 
world war, the people of Greece did not panic. Men went calmly to their 
closets and retrieved their military uniforms and weapons. Women went 
about their necessary tasks, and the children assisted as they were 
able. With level-headed determination and steadfast resolve, the 
citizenry of Greece mobilized against the coming invaders and delivered 
their resounding ``No!'' to the Axis aggressors.
  On OXI Day, the people of Greece chose the harder path, the path of 
resistance. If they had opened their gates to the invaders, much 
bloodshed and many deprivations might have been avoided. That brave 
generation of Hellenes, refused to submit to oppression, even at the 
cost of their homes, their land, and their lives. They chose to fight 
and even to die so that their children and the children of other 
nations might live in liberty. Theirs was an act of self-sacrifice that 
clearly proclaimed the humanitarian ideals of their Orthodox Christian 
faith and their ethnic heritage.
  Demonstrating poise under pressure, the heroes of that period fought 
against tyranny and delayed the Axis onslaught in the Balkan Peninsula. 
The Greek nation which said ``OXI'' contributed to the eventual 
downfall of the Fascist powers in Europe.
  This year the Hellenic community is celebrating another great moment 
in their history, having successfully hosted a magnificent and peaceful 
Olympics at a time when terrorism imperils every public gathering. The 
smallest nation to ever host the Olympics, Greeks once again showed 
that they always rise to the occasion.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the heroes of 
OXI Day. In their brave words and deeds we see all of the highest 
virtues of Hellenic heritage: Passion for justice, courage at a time of 
trial, unity in the midst of conflict, and willingness to sacrifice 
one's life for the good of others. On this day, we thank Greece for 
saying ``OXI.''

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