[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1945-E1946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CELEBRATING ``OXI'' DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, we often refer to the World War II 
generation as ``the greatest generation,'' not only because of their 
bravery in times of economic depression and war, but also because of 
their strength, their moral fortitude, and their commitment to 
advancing the cause of freedom both here and abroad. We celebrate the 
accomplishments of their generation and respect them for who they are 
and the lessons they impart, as we rightly should.
  My primary purpose today, in addition to honoring our American World 
War II heroes, military and civilian alike, is to celebrate the courage 
of Greece's ``greatest generation,'' those citizens who, on October 28, 
1940, stood up to the Axis powers and said ``no'' to the spread of 
fascism and hate.
  The significance of ``oxi'' day and what it meant to the outcome of 
World War II cannot be overstated. On that fateful day in October, the 
small, battered and courageous nation of Greece made a firm stand 
against the aggression of Italy and Germany. And by doing so, the 
people of Greece disrupted Nazi Germany's war plans and ensured that 
freedom would live another day.
  By October 1940, World War II had begun, and the Nazi regime already 
was operating in high gear. Under Aolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini, 
German and Italian forces were threatening the whole of Europe. In 
fact, Hitler intended to eliminate British operations in the 
Mediterranean in order to weaken their ability to hinder German 
advances.

[[Page E1946]]

  To achieve this objective, Hitler needed the Axis powers to strike 
British forces in Greece. By conquering Greece, Hitler hoped to gain 
access to the important connecting link with Italian bases in the 
Dodecanese islands, giving Italian forces a stranglehold on British 
forces in Egypt where they were already under attack. The defense of 
Egypt was vital to Allied positions in the oil-rich Middle East.
  On October 28, 1940, the Italian Ambassador in Athens issued an 
ultimatum to Greek Prime Minister Metaxas, demanding the unconditional 
surrender of Greece and threatening Italy's declaration of war. 
Mussolini gave Prime Minister Metaxas only three hours to reply.
  Mussolini obviously underestimated the resolve of the Greek people 
and their passion for liberty. In what has now become one of the most 
celebrated actions of World War II, Prime Minister Metaxas responded 
with the word ``oxi,'' which means ``no'' in Greek.
  This statement, which embodied the true spirit of the Greek people, 
demonstrated undeniable courage and strength in the face of imminent 
invasion by Italian forces. ``Oxi'' echoed the same devotion and love 
of country that Greek patriots exhibited during their war of 
independence against the Ottoman empire when they defiantly shouted 
``liberty or death.'' The Prime Minister's actions marked the beginning 
of one the world's most heroic efforts to combat tyranny and 
oppression. Knowing that Greece would not give in to its demands, Italy 
invaded.
  Greece went into battle as the clear underdog. In addition to having 
a population seven times smaller than Italy, the disparity in the 
nations' armed forces was even greater. Italy enjoyed ten times the 
firepower of Greece in its army and navy and seven times the number of 
troops. Italy's command of the air gave Greece little hope of success. 
However, despite their lack of equipment and smaller numbers, the Greek 
army proved to be well-trained and resourceful. Within a week of the 
invasion, the Italian forces were suffering serious setbacks.
  On November 14, 1940, the Greek army launched a counteroffensive and 
quickly drove the Italian forces back into Albania. By December, the 
Greeks had captured the town of Pogradec in eastern Albania, where the 
fighting continued for several months. It became very clear that the 
Greeks were not going to stand for defeat. In a last ditch effort to 
bring the skirmish to a close before they would be forced to ask Hitler 
to intervene, the Italian armed forces launched another assault on 
March 12, 1941. It took only six days for them to concede that German 
intervention was necessary.
  Hitler ordered the German invasion of Greece on April 6, 1941, but it 
took the Germans five weeks to finally end the conflict. This delay 
proved critical to the outcome of the entire war. Italy's inability to 
capture Greece enabled the British to win major victories against 
Mussolini's forces in North Africa, solidifying their positions in the 
region.
  This delay also contributed to the failure of the German Barbarossa 
campaign to conquer Russia. Because he was forced to capture the 
Balkans, mainly Yugoslavia and Greece, Hitler had to delay his plans to 
invade and capture the Soviet Union before the winter of 1941. The 
Greek resistance, both in Albania and in another famous battle in 
Crete, altered the time table of the planned Barbarossa invasion by at 
least six months, proving a favorable development for Allied Forces.
  Perhaps the most important effect the Greeks' unyielding stand had on 
World War II was guaranteeing that the Germans would not gain the 
advantage against the British. Although Germany had conquered much of 
Europe, Hitler's inability to decimate British and Russian forces early 
in the War would eventually prove fatal. Thanks to Prime Minister 
Metaxas saying ``oxi'' and inspiring the heroic Greek resistance, the 
war tide was permanently changed.
  The Allies gained tremendous advantages by the stubborn and proud 
resolve of the Greek armed forces, but the Greeks themselves suffered 
loss and sacrificed much. Nearly one million Hellenes died during this 
time, roughly 14 percent of the population in 1940. And yet, the entire 
Western world, discouraged and fearful of the Axis powers and 
increasingly ugly war, were inspired by the Greeks' incredible 
victories. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill honored these acts 
of heroism, declaring that ``Today we say that Greeks fight like 
heroes; from now on we will say that heroes fight like Greeks.''

  Mr. Speaker, ``Oxi'' Day continues to serve as an inspiration to all 
those in this world who cherish democracy and freedom. It marks 
defiance of fascism and ongoing commitment to doing what is right. As a 
Greek-American, I am proud to honor the memory of those brave patriots 
who fought for the freedom of their country and in so doing, helped 
secure it for the entire free world.
  Today freedom-loving nations are battling a new enemy, not defined by 
nation but by hatred of freedom and love of fear and oppression. As we 
continue to fight the Global War on Terror, we should take a page from 
Prime Minister Metaxas and the Greek people and echo their resolute 
``no'' to those who threaten liberty. By doing so, we honor the spirit 
of ``Oxi'' Day and all those who have sacrificed to defend freedom.

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