[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 52 (Thursday, March 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E799-E800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING 188TH ANNIVERSARY OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 24, 2009

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, as an original cosponsor of H. Res. 273 
and a co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic 
Issues, I rise today to celebrate the 188th anniversary of Greece's 
declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire.
  Against incredibly difficult odds, the Greeks defeated one of the 
most powerful empires in history to win their independence.
  Following 400 years of Ottoman rule, in March 1821 Bishop Germanos of 
Patras raised the traditional Greek flag at the monastery of Agia 
Lavras, inciting his countrymen to rise against the Ottoman army.
  The Bishop timed this act of revolution to coincide with the Greek 
Orthodox holiday celebrating the archangel Gabriel's announcement that 
the Virgin Mary was pregnant with the divine child.
  Bishop Germanos's message to his people was clear: a new spirit was 
about to be born in Greece.
  The following year, the Treaty of Constantinople established full 
independence for Greece.
  New York City is home to the largest Hellenic population outside 
Greece and Cyprus.
  Western Queens, which I have the honor of representing, is often 
called Little Athens because of the large Hellenic population in that 
neighborhood.
  New Yorkers celebrate Greek Independence Day with a parade on Fifth 
Avenue in Manhattan, along with many cultural events and private 
gatherings.
  These events, hosted by the Federation of Hellenic Societies and 
other Hellenic and Philhellenic organizations and friends, remind us of 
the Hellenic-American community's many contributions to our nation's 
history and culture.
  I am also pleased that President Obama is continuing the tradition of 
holding a White House celebration in honor of Greek Independence Day.
  My fellow co-chair Representative Bilirakis and I sent a letter last 
month urging the President to recognize this truly important day.
  Relations between the United States and Greece remain strong with a 
shared commitment to ensuring stability in southeastern Europe. I hope 
permanent solutions can be found for ending the division of Cyprus and 
finding a mutually agreeable name for the Former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia.
  Additionally, I strongly support the inclusion of Greece in the Visa 
Waiver Program. Greece is the only member of the original fifteen 
European Union nations not to belong to the Visa Waiver Program.
  I, along with my colleagues, will continue to work to ensure that the 
process for Greece's entry into the Visa Waiver Program continues to 
move forward.
  Additionally, I have recently reintroduced legislation which urges 
Turkey to respect the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical 
Patriarchate.

[[Page E800]]

  It is time for this suppression of religious freedom to come to an 
end and for Turkey to move in the direction of freedom and democracy.
  I ask the nation to join me in celebrating Greece's independence.
  Additionally, it is my sincere pleasure to pay tribute to New York's 
Hellenic-American community for its many contributions to our city and 
nation.
  ``Zeto E Eleftheria!'' (Long Live Freedom!)

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