[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CELEBRATING 185 YEARS OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2006

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize the great nation of Greece and celebrate with its citizens 
185 years of independence from the Ottoman Empire.
  Any first-year university student knows Greece to be one of the 
ancient cradles of Western Civilization. In art and literature, history 
and philosophy, science and mathematics, the contributions of the Greek 
people to the world as we know it are immeasurable.
  And of course, one of Greece's most significant contributions to 
modern civilization is that of democratic governance. The influences of 
Socrates, Plato, Pericles, Solon, and many others provided the basis 
for our founding fathers' essays and treaties on life, liberty and the 
pursuit of happiness.
  These ancient thinkers planted the seeds of modern democracy, but the 
people of modern Greece did not reap the benefits until over two 
thousand years later. In 1821, the Greek people declared independence 
from the Ottoman Empire, marking the beginning of an eleven-year 
struggle for freedom. It is this courageous action that we honor today.
  The Greek revolutionaries' valiant efforts inspired the support of a 
fledgling democracy known as the United States of America. Many 
Americans left home and volunteered to fight alongside the Greeks, and 
this Congress also sent money and supplies to assist in Greece's 
struggle for autonomy. Since that time, the U.S. and Greece have worked 
side-by-side to oppose tyranny and oppression and advance the cause of 
democracy worldwide.
  But our ties with Greece do not end with this shared commitment to 
the principles of democracy. Indeed, today more than 1 million people 
of Greek descent live in the United States. These men and women have 
made innumerable contributions to our society and way of life, and for 
this we thank them.
  Colleagues, please join me in saluting the people of Greece for their 
tremendous commitment to democracy and the principles that helped to 
found our Nation.

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