[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H1165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                MARKING 185 YEARS OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the House in 
honor of Greek Independence Day that was celebrated on March 25. Greek 
freedom fighters brought sovereignty back to their country, 185 years 
ago, allowing the Greek people to decide their fate for themselves 
again.
  I speak here today to honor all persons and nations who have 
successfully fought for their right to live according to the rules of 
democracy and freedom, denying the rule of tyranny and autocracy. As 
the oldest democracy in the world, the Greek nation has passionately 
struggled to uphold democracy as its form of government.
  The significance emanating from the year 1821 is outstanding, not 
only in the Greek context, but also as a strong symbol of the 
inspiration one brave nation can provide to the world.
  When in 1821 the Greek people regained their independence, more than 
four centuries of occupation and oppression by the Ottoman Empire came 
to an end. The peoples of the Balkans were soon to follow the Greek 
example and sought freedom from the Ottoman rule.
  The courage and vision of the Greek freedom fighters also transcended 
the borders of the former Ottoman Empire. The independence movement 
received broad support from intellectuals abroad, including English 
poet Lord Byron and U.S. Senator and Secretary of State Daniel Webster.
  The Greek flag symbolizes the legacy of 1821. The cross in the upper 
left part of the flag stands for the Greek Orthodox Church, which 
significantly helped Greeks to preserve their ethnic, cultural, and 
linguistic heritage during the years of occupation. The cross is 
embedded by nine alternating blue and white stripes, each representing 
one letter of the Greek word for freedom. While the flag was developed 
in the early days of independence, it took more than 150 years before 
it became the official Greek flag.
  After the end of the Ottoman occupation, Greeks had to struggle for 
another century before their land was truly freed. In the 1970s, Greeks 
once again fought for freedom and independence, stripping off a 7-year 
rule by a military junta. Shortly after democracy had been 
reestablished, the Greek nation finally adopted the cross-and-nine-
stripe flag as its official flag.
  The United States is a proud partner of the Greek nation, which has 
given the gift of democracy to the world, and which throughout history 
has fought to uphold this gift as its guiding principle. Greeks and 
Americans share a common vision to have everyone on this planet enjoy 
the gift of freedom and democracy. Greece is one of our strongest 
allies in the international war against terror.
  The United States and Greece have consistently joined forces to fight 
the global threats of terrorism and state-sponsored terrorism, nuclear 
proliferation, illegal narcotics, and international crime. As a strong 
NATO ally, the Greek military has taken on a strong and abiding 
commitment in Afghanistan as well.
  Greece has given the United States both military and financial 
support for Operation Enduring Freedom. It contributes to it is 
International Security Assistance Force and has pledged to fund 
educational programs.
  Located on shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Greece is of the greatest 
geopolitical importance. Neighboring with the Balkans, it serves as a 
shining beacon of peace and stability in the region. Bordering with 
Turkey, it serves as the bridge to the Muslim world.
  I commend Greece for its strong work in the Middle East Partnership 
Initiative, MEPI, and its strong participation in the Broader Middle 
East and North Africa Initiative.
  However, many pressing issues in the region remain unresolved, Madam 
Speaker. The ongoing conflict over the final name of the former 
Yugoslav republic of Macedonia causes grave concern, just as it grieves 
me to see the continued division of Cyprus and the unbalanced approach 
that has been taken to overcome this division.
  I hope that we will soon be able to witness the end of the occupation 
and a reunification of Cyprus on fair and equitable terms. The 
emergence of a strong, vibrant and justly unified Cyprus would provide 
stability, both politically and economically, to the Mediterranean 
region.
  I urge Congress remain engaged in the search for a just and lasting 
reunification that will promote peace and stability. Recalling the 
Greek routes of democracy, I am proud to represent the interests of my 
Greek American constituency. With currently 1.5 million members, the 
Greek American community contributes significantly to the prosperity of 
our Nation.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud of the friendship that binds the United 
States, the land of freedom, and Greece, the country of freedom 
fighters.
  Together, we can promote democracy, the rule of law, and respect for 
human rights worldwide.

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