[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 43 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E390]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF GREECE AND CELEBRATING GREEK AND 
                           AMERICAN DEMOCRACY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ZACHARY T. SPACE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 11, 2008

  Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker, I wish to acknowledge Tuesday's 
consideration and passage of H. Res. 1024, a bill recognizing the 187th 
anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating Greek and 
American democracy.
  I am honored to support a bill whose significance is so extensive and 
which has such enormous personal meaning to me. I am immensely proud of 
my Greek heritage, and the profound influence this legacy has had not 
only on American democracy but on governments around the world.
  Early on, America's Founding Fathers looked to the ancient Greeks and 
their enlightened society for inspiration in forming a new government. 
As we know, American representative democracy is rooted in the 
philosophy and ethos of Greek government.
  It is this example of freedom and representation that so many 
governments strive to emulate today. And now, more than ever, it is 
imperative for that message to he heard.
  The Greek American community continues to work admirably to connect 
Greek culture and heritage with the global society of today. They have 
grown that symbiotic relationship into an extensive Greek-American 
legacy.
  This legacy is made of the contributions of millions of Greek-
Americans, such as my paternal grandfather who emigrated from Greece in 
the early 20th century and earned his citizenship in his new country by 
fighting in World War I. My father, Socrates, continued the Space 
family's patriotic tradition by serving in the Marines during the 
Korean War. After the war, my father attended Ohio State's law school, 
thanks to the GI Bill, thereby paving the way for his future family--
for me.
  The opportunities afforded to my father and my grandfather in America 
were--in my opinion--a result of the democratic by-products of freedom 
and liberty that Americans enjoy, thanks to the Greeks.
  Today. as we celebrate the anniversary of this wonderful nation's 
independence, it's important that we continue to recognize the 
significance of Greek contributions to the global society. Needless to 
say, as a Greek-American, I very much support H. Res. 1024.

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