[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 38 (Wednesday, April 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 5, 2005

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 184th anniversary 
of Greece's declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire. 
Against impossible odds, the Greeks defeated one of the most powerful 
empires in history and gained their independence.
  In March 1821, after 400 years of Ottoman rule, Bishop Germanos of 
Patras raised the traditional Greek flag at the monastery of Agia 
Lavras, inciting his countrymen to rise against the Ottoman army. The 
Bishop timed this act of revolution to coincide with the Greek Orthodox 
holiday celebrating the archangel Gabriel's announcement that the 
Virgin Mary was pregnant with the divine child. Bishop Germanos's 
message to his people was clear: a new spirit was about to be born in 
Greece.
  Greek Independence Day is an appropriate time to reflect upon the 
strong ties between Greece and the United States. Indeed, when the 
Greeks of 1821 fought for independence from the Ottoman Empire, they 
drew inspiration from the ideals and institutions of the fledgling 
United States. During their War of Independence, the Greeks also 
received encouragement from many Americans, including Presidents James 
Madison and James Monroe and Representatives Daniel Webster and Henry 
Clay, each of whom gave memorable speeches in Congress in support of 
the Greek revolutionaries. Just as our defeat of the British army was 
remarkable, so too was the Greek triumph over the Ottoman Army, a 
momentous achievement in world history.
  As many of my colleagues know, New York City is home to the largest 
Hellenic population outside of Greece and Cyprus. Western Queens, which 
I have the honor of representing, is often called Little Athens because 
of the large Hellenic population in that neighborhood.
  New Yorkers celebrate Greek Independence Day with a parade on Fifth 
Avenue in Manhattan, along with a great many cultural events and 
private gatherings. These events, hosted by the Federation of Hellenic 
Societies and other Hellenic and Philhellenic organizations and 
friends, remind us of the Hellenic-American community's many 
contributions to our nation's history and culture.
  On April 10, the President of the Federation of Hellenic Societies, 
Nikos Diamontidis, along with the organization's officers and board 
members, will join Parade Committee Chairman Dinos Rallis, Co-Chairmen 
Tasos Manesis and Philip Christopher and Co-Chairwoman Georgia Kaloidis 
in reminding New Yorkers of the glory of Greece, the joy of the 
Olympics and the hope of freedom and human rights for all. The Grand 
Marshals of this year's parade are my distinguished colleague, Senator 
Paul Sarbanes, his wife, Christine, Anthony Diamataris, the Editor and 
Publisher of the National Herald and his wife, Litsa. Adding to the 
day's ethnic pride will be parade emcees Nick Gregory, Anthoula 
Katsimatides and Petros Fourniotis.
  In 2004, the Athens Olympics united the world. Today, while New 
Yorkers pay tribute to Greece's accomplishments, we also seek to add 
our hometown to the list of great Olympic host cities. It is my hope 
that one of Greece's most enduring contributions to world history will 
finally come to New York City in 2012.
  As the founder and co-Chairperson of the Hellenic Caucus in Congress, 
I ask the nation to join me in celebrating Greece's independence. 
Additionally, it is my sincere pleasure to pay tribute to New York's 
Hellenic-American community for its many contributions to our city and 
nation.
  ``Zeto E Eleftheria!'' (Long Live Freedom!)

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