[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 163 (Thursday, October 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          CELEBRATING OXI DAY

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 25, 2007

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to join the Hellenic-
Americans and Philhellenes in my district and throughout the country in 
celebrating ``OXI Day (No Day),'' which falls on the 28th of October. 
This year marks the 67th anniversary of a very important day in 
Hellenic history, the day on which brave Greek patriots said ``No'' to 
fascism, ``No'' to injustice, and ``No'' to slavery. For those 
individuals who lived through that momentous period and their 
descendants, many of whom live in the 14th Congressional District of 
New York, ``OXI Day'' is more than a memory: it is the embodiment of 
Hellenism and its highest ideals.
  At dawn on October 28, 1940, General lonnas Metaxas was confronted 
with an ultimatum. An Italian ambassador delivered a message directly 
from General Mussolini demanding that Greece allow Axis forces to enter 
Greek territory and occupy certain unspecified ``strategic locations'' 
or face war. General Metaxas simply replied ``No!'' and committed the 
brave people of Greece to resistance against Axis oppression. With 
level-headed determination and steadfast resolve, the citizenry of 
Greece mobilized. Men went calmly to their closets and retrieved their 
military uniforms and weapons. Women went about their necessary tasks, 
and the children assisted as they were able.
  On OXI Day, the people of Greece chose the harder path, the path of 
resistance. That brave generation of Hellenes refused to submit to 
oppression even at the cost of their homes, their land, and their 
lives. Theirs was an act of self-sacrifice that clearly proclaimed the 
humanitarian ideals of their Orthodox Christian faith and their ethnic 
heritage. The Greeks' brave defense of their land was a crucial turning 
point in the Axis eastern advances. Dogged resistance by Greek patriots 
weakened Axis morale and derailed the Nazi war effort by delaying the 
eventual attack on Soviet Union. The Greeks' sacrifice will forever be 
remembered and honored by the free nations of the world.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the heroes 
of OXI Day. In their brave words and deeds we see all of the highest 
virtues of Hellenic heritage: passion for justice, courage at a time of 
trial, unity in the midst of conflict, and willingness to sacrifice 
one's life for the good of others. On this day, we thank Greece for 
saying ``OXI.''

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