[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2006

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 185th 
anniversary of Greek independence and to celebrate the long friendship 
shared between the people of Greece and the United States of America.
  Greece and the United States are forever linked by common values and 
political philosophy. In the formative years of our Republic, the 
founding fathers looked to the shining example set by ancient Greece 
whose political institutions and democratic ideals were the foundation 
upon which were based many of the political freedoms and traditions 
Americans enjoy today.
  In 1821, as our American experiment with democracy blossomed, we 
proudly stood in support of the new Greek republic emerging from the 
ashes of the Ottoman Empire. Petros Mavromichalis, a founder of the 
modern Greek state, said to the citizens of the United States in 1821, 
``it is in your land that liberty has fixed her abode and . . . in 
imitating you, we shall imitate our ancestors and be thought worthy of 
them if we succeed in resembling you.'' As the Greek state took shape, 
Presidents Adams, Madison and Jefferson joined a nation of grateful 
Americans in an expression of encouragement and good wishes. Ever 
since, Greece and the United States have enjoyed a strong cultural, 
commercial and strategic partnership.
  The Greek people have stood with us during every major American 
military action. The citizens of the United States will never forget 
how during World War II, Greece in the historic Battle of Crete, 
presented the Axis powers with their first major setback, setting in 
motion a chain of events that would significantly affect the outcome of 
World War II.
  And today the Greek people are standing beside us still, this time in 
Afghanistan where they have not only dedicated financial and logistical 
support to the NATO effort there, they are also playing an important 
role in helping to physically secure the country.
  Thomas Jefferson referred to ancient Greece as the light which led 
ourselves out of Gothic darkness. On the occasion of the 185th 
anniversary of Greek independence, I join all Americans in wishing the 
people of Greece congratulations and best wishes. We will remain 
eternally grateful to the Greek people and the legacy of ancient Greece 
for the shining example it set for democracies the world over.

                          ____________________