[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 154 (Friday, September 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2029-E2030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          CELEBRATING OXI DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2008

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to join Hellenic-
Americans and Philhellenes everywhere to celebrate ``OXI Day (No 
Day),'' which falls on the 28th of October. This year marks the 68th 
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 Ionnas 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.

[[Page E2030]]

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.
  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.''

                          ____________________