[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S2462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I am honored to address the Senate in 
celebration of the 185th anniversary of Greek independence. On March 
25, 1821, the Greeks revolted against nearly 400 years of repressive 
rule by the Ottoman Empire and began their journey toward independence.
  And in honor of that historic day, the United States and Greece stand 
together in our commitment to the principles of democracy, freedom, and 
independence.
  In honor of that day, we celebrate the achievements and contributions 
of the Greek state and her people. We honor Greece's accomplishments in 
history, science, philosophy, mathematics, literature, and art.
  In honor of that day, we recognize and celebrate our own democratic 
heritage in this Nation. The Greeks believed in self-governance, and 
our Founding Fathers incorporated the ancient Greeks' political 
experience and philosophy when they formed our representative 
democracy. Greek ideas of government and freedom have had an immense 
and unparalleled influence in the world and in this Nation. And I would 
like to thank the Greek people for leading the way and giving us the 
inspiration to pursue these ideals.
  In honor of that day, we celebrate the contributions of the more than 
1 million Greek-Americans in this country. In New Jersey alone, there 
are over 61,000 Greek-Americans who contribute daily to the economic, 
political, and cultural fabric of this Nation.
  Over the years, not only has Greece supported the United States in 
every major international conflict in the last century, but it has 
stood by this country after the September 11 terrorist attacks. And 
Greece generously supported us with aid after the devastating effects 
of Hurricane Katrina here on our soil.
  And we should stand with Greece and protect the human and religious 
rights of the Ecumenical Patriarch. This is an issue that not only 
affects the Greek community but is important to all communities. We 
must protect the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as Turkey has: 
refused to recognize the Ecumenical Patriarchate's international status 
and its significance to Orthodox Christians around the world, impeded 
training for the clergy while requiring that all candidates for the 
Holy Synod be Turkish nationals; confiscated 75 percent of the 
Ecumenical Patriarchal properties, and levied a 42 percent retroactive 
tax on the Balukli Hospital which is run by the Ecumenical 
Patriarchate.
  Last year, as Member of the House, I authored a resolution calling on 
Turkey to eliminate all forms of discrimination and to respect the 
human and religious rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. And that 
language sent a strong message to Turkey when it was included in the 
State Department authorization bill which passed the House last year.
  Now, as a U.S. Senator, I will remain firm in my position and will 
continue to work hard to make sure Turkey ends its discrimination and 
persecution against the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
  As Aeschines, one of ancient Greece's more gifted orators once said, 
``In a democracy, it is the laws that guard the person of the citizen 
and the constitution of the state, whereas the despot and the oligarch 
find their protection in suspicion and in armed guards.''
  From the history of democracy to the religious freedom and human 
rights of the Ecumenical patriarchate, we in this Nation share this 
common vision with Greece and her people.
  And the United States of America stands proudly with Greece in honor 
of our shared commitment to democracy, freedom, and independence.

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