[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 39 (Thursday, April 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E582-E583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING GREEK CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WORLD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CLIFF STEARNS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 2005

  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, our Western Civilization reflects the 
contributions of many peoples, cultures, and nations. One vital source 
that gave much toward the depth and richness of our culture is ancient 
Greece.
  One of the great legacies of the city-states of Greece is the 
practice of self determination or democracy, the rule of the people. 
Many of the functions of our government are drawn from the Greek 
political system. Similarly, Greece greatly influenced the development 
of one of our major religions demonstrated through the word christos, 
or Jesus Christ. The Letters to the Corinthians and Thessalonians are 
essential parts of the New Testament.
  In countless high schools and colleges throughout the nation, 
students study the Iliad, a poem originating nearly 3,000 years ago. 
Modern philosophy still revolves around the thoughts and discussions of 
Plato and Aristotle. Also, early Greeks developed many of the 
mathematical disciplines that make our world add up. And, just this 
past summer the world met in the glory of athletic competition, the 
modern Olympics, another gift of the Greeks.
  I cannot imagine what our society would look like without the rich 
contributions of the Hellenistic age--architecture, literature, 
science, and art--but I am sure that it would be more drab and 
impoverished. In fact, the

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early roots of Western Civilization trace back to Greece, from where it 
grew out across the European continent and later across the Atlantic 
Ocean to the Western Hemisphere.
  Unfortunately, modern shortcuts such as the English language and 21st 
century culture are undermining the Greek language and traditions. As 
the incubators of so many wonders, the Greek language and the Greek 
culture deserve to be preserved and celebrated. This is essential for 
the benefit of the current generation and the enrichment of future 
generations.
  I have had the honor of meeting an individual dedicated to preserving 
the Hellenic spirit, Captain Panayotis Tsakos. He undertook this 
mission of love by creating the Maria Tsakos Foundation, which is 
devoted to honoring the various aspects of ancient, modern, and 
contemporary Greek culture. The Foundation provides multifaceted 
activities that teach the Greek language, dances, and literature. So 
far, more than 3,000 students have learned the language and culture. In 
addition, the Foundation provides scholarships for study in Greece and 
supports charities that uphold Greek traditions.
  I appreciate this opportunity to share this information with my 
colleagues, and to commend Captain Tsakos for his dedication to 
preserving the richness of the Hellenic world.

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