[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 160 (Tuesday, December 7, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H8046-H8047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING 2500TH ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF MARATHON

  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1704) honoring the 2500th anniversary 
of the Battle of Marathon, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1704

       Whereas in 490 BC, Athenian warriors defeated foreign 
     invaders and won against overwhelming odds in one of the most 
     significant battles in human history;
       Whereas the Athenian victory helped continue the 
     development of a new form of government called ``democracy'';
       Whereas according to legend, a messenger named Phidippides 
     ran from the battlefield of Marathon, Greece, to Athens 26 
     miles away to carry news of the victory and it is said, that 
     upon delivering the news to the citizens of Athens, 
     Phidippides died from exhaustion;
       Whereas Phidippides' run inspired the spiritual origin of 
     what has become the sport of marathoning;
       Whereas the first official marathon race was introduced in 
     the first modern Olympics in 1896 held in Athens, Greece;
       Whereas officials from the Boston Athletic Association 
     brought the long distance Olympic running event to Boston, 
     Massachusetts, where it has been run annually since 1897;
       Whereas a ceremony took place in Marathon, Greece, in 2007 
     at the Tomb of the Athenians, the burial cite of the Greek 
     warriors who gave their lives defending their country;
       Whereas this ceremony created the symbolic Flame of 
     Marathon that embodies the strength of the human spirit, fair 
     competition, and peace;
       Whereas Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and Marathon, Greece, 
     have a twin-city relationship, the Flame of Marathon traveled 
     from Marathon, Greece, and was presented to the Town of 
     Hopkinton in 2008;
       Whereas the Flame of Marathon has burned continuously in 
     Hopkinton, Massachusetts, since its arrival in the United 
     States;
       Whereas the Flame of Marathon reminds us of the sacrifice 
     of the United States Armed Forces and their families, the 
     defenders of democracy;
       Whereas the 35th Marine Corps Marathon received the Flame 
     of Marathon as part of its celebration of the 2500th 
     anniversary of the Battle of Marathon; and
       Whereas the Flame of Marathon was displayed at events 
     leading to and including the Marine Corps Marathon in view of 
     30,000 runners who embodied the marathon spirit as they ran 
     through Washington, DC: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives joins with the 
     Greek Embassy in Washington, DC, the people of Hopkinton, 
     Massachusetts, the people of Marathon, Greece, and the 
     hundreds of thousands of runners participating in marathons 
     throughout the United States, in celebrating the 2500th 
     anniversary of the Battle of Marathon, Greece, one of the 
     most significant battles in human history.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Klein) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, H. Res. 1704 honors the anniversary of the Battle of 
Marathon, a watershed event in the protection of the then-fledgling 
form of government we continue to practice to this day and we know as 
democracy.
  As the story goes, a messenger ran 26 miles from Marathon to Athens 
to deliver news of the Greek victory over the Persians, a feat 
commemorated today by millions of athletes around the world through the 
running of marathons.
  In this anniversary year, the town of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, the 
sister city to Marathon, Greece, created ``Marathon 2010'' to encourage 
a global celebration of the victory at Marathon and to connect 
marathoners throughout the world in the shared experience of running.
  The commemorative Flame of Marathon was brought from Marathon to 
Hopkinton nearly 2 years ago as a symbol of the twin cities common 
heritage as caretakers of the sport of the marathon.
  As part of the celebration of the 2500th anniversary, the Marine 
Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., celebrated the military roots of 
long distance running by receiving the flame in October.
  We commend the hundreds of thousands of marathon runners throughout 
the world who exemplify the words of the philosopher Confucius, a 
contemporary of the battle who said: ``I hear and I forget. I see and I 
remember. I do and I understand.''
  We join together with marathoners around the world in celebrating the 
2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. 
McGovern) for introducing this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of the resolution honoring the 
2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon in ancient Greece. This 
resolution celebrates the victory in the battle--against all odds--by 
Greek citizens opposing the overwhelming Persian force in the year 450 
B.C.
  The Battle of Marathon has been cited by historians as one of the 
pivotal events in ancient European history. The victory at Marathon 
marked the end of the Persian invasion of Greece. The following years 
of peace allowed the Greek city-states and the Greek nation to create 
the philosophy of democratic rule and establish the arts and sciences 
for which classical Greece is renowned to this day.
  The commitment of the Greek warriors to protect their homeland from 
Persian invasion summoned within them the strength to withstand the 
attack through 5 long days of battle, and to finally overcome the 
invading force.
  It was that same commitment to victory, Madam Speaker, that propelled 
a Greek messenger to run over 26 miles without a break in order to 
deliver the good news of the victory to the people of Athens. That 
incredible feat has inspired many in the modern age to emulate that 
runner's achievement--and I have run one marathon, Madam Speaker--with 
the first marathon races begun in 1896 and following that runner's 
course from Marathon to Athens.
  I want to thank Mr. McGovern for sponsoring this very timely 
resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1510

  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the author 
of the bill, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).
  Mr. McGOVERN. I want to begin by thanking the gentleman from Florida 
for not only yielding me the time but for his service here in Congress. 
He has been an incredible Member, and I look forward to his return.
  As well, I thank my friend, my colleague from New Jersey, for his 
comments.

[[Page H8047]]

  I would also like to thank Chairman Berman and Ranking Member Ros-
Lehtinen for their leadership and support of this bill.
  I also appreciate the support of Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader 
Hoyer and the bipartisan cochairs of the Congressional Caucus on 
Hellenic Issues, Representatives Maloney and Bilirakis.
  Madam Speaker, I was very proud to introduce H. Res. 1704, along with 
my good friend and colleague, John Sarbanes of Maryland, to honor the 
2,500th anniversary of the Greek Battle of Marathon.
  Every time someone runs a marathon race, he is commemorating one of 
the most momentous events in Western history, the Battle of Marathon, 
fought in 490 B.C. A few thousand Athenian and other Greek soldiers 
destroyed a huge force of invading Persians on the plain of Marathon, a 
victory widely believed to have ensured the democratic legacy of 
Western culture. A soldier charged with carrying the important news of 
victory back to Athens literally ran his heart out to deliver that 
message--and so the spirit of the marathon was born.
  There is a deep connection between the nation of Greece, the city of 
Marathon, Greece, the Massachusetts town of Hopkinton, and the city of 
Boston. Hopkinton, Massachusetts, which I am proud to represent, is 
where each year the Boston Marathon begins. In 2008, in preparation for 
the 2,500th anniversary, the city of Marathon asked Hopkinton to be the 
guardian of the Marathon Flame, and brought it to Hopkinton, its sister 
city, in order to embody the spirit of Marathon all over the United 
States.
  This year, as part of the 2010 Marine Corps Marathon, the Flame of 
Marathon was brought by Hopkinton to Washington, D.C., to honor the 
35th anniversary of the Marine Corps Marathon and its race director, 
Mr. Rick Nealis. I recently had the privilege of honoring Mr. Nealis at 
a dinner in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, celebrating the partnership 
between the town of Hopkinton, the Boston Marathon, and the Marine 
Corps Marathon.
  The Boston Marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon, and the New York City 
Marathon are among the three stellar marathon races organized each year 
in the United States, but over 500 marathon races take place every year 
around the world, including scores of races in the United States 
involving hundreds of thousands of American and foreign athletes, all 
seeking to emulate the spirit of that first marathon run 2,500 years 
ago this year.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank Timothy Kilduff and Michael Neece with 
the Hopkinton Athletic Association for all the support they have given 
to this resolution. I also want to thank the Board of Selectmen of the 
town of Hopkinton for their steadfast support of Hopkinton's proud 
tradition as the starting place for the Boston Marathon each year, and 
for their support of this bill.
  I also want to express a special ``thank you'' to the Embassy of 
Greece, most notably to Ambassador Vassilis Kaskarelis, Minister 
Counselor for Cultural Affairs Zoe Kosmidou, and Constantinos 
Orphanides, the Consul General for Greece at the consulate in Boston.
  I have been a longtime spectator but never a participant of the 
Boston Marathon or of the Marine Corps Marathon, and I am honored to 
support this resolution that honors these two events that are such a 
source of pride to the people who live and work in Massachusetts and 
the Nation's Capital. I honor the people of Greece, the city of 
Marathon, and the memory of the Battle of Marathon.
  I ask all of my colleagues to support this resolution, and I can't 
wait until we honor the 5,000th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon 
and the establishment of Western democracy.

  Remarks by H.E. Ambassador of Greece Mr. Vassilis Kaskarelis at the 
 Marine Corps Marathon Press Conference, Washington, DC, Friday, Oct. 
                                29, 2010

       Honored Guests,Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great honor 
     for Greece and even more so for myself to be participating in 
     these inspiring events that mark, on the one hand, 2,500 
     years from the Battle of Marathon and on the other, the 35th 
     anniversary of the annual Marine Corps Marathon.
       We read and hear of Greece's contributions to Western 
     civilization, of having invented democracy, having given us 
     great works of philosophy and literature, but we often forget 
     Greece's holistic approach to life and living, that is ``noyw 
     ygihw en dvmati ygiei'', that is ``healthy body mind in a 
     healthy body''.
       Today at the Walter Washington Convention Center, as we are 
     surrounded by the spirit of a healthier approach to our daily 
     living, we ought to consider whether we would be living in a 
     different world, had it not been for the victory at Marathon 
     2,500 years ago.
       One might wonder, and rightly so, as to why a Battle that 
     was fought thousands of years ago, might still be important 
     today, and why commemorate it 2,500 years later.
       The answer is simple. The Battle of Marathon, won by a 
     handful of Athenians, was decisive not only for the future of 
     Greece, but also the future of Western civilization.The 
     Athenian victory at the Battle of Marathon allowed for the 
     establishment of democracy. It allowed for the flourishing of 
     the classical period of Greek culture, establishing the 
     foundation of the Western civilization.
       One wonders whether Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and 
     Aristophanes might have written their definitive works had 
     the Battle of Marathon had a different result. Would 
     Socrates, perhaps even Plato and Aristotle have laid the 
     foundation of western philosophy? Would the democratic 
     principles, which, unfortunately, we take for granted today, 
     have developed as they have?
       Most of you know that the Marathon run, as we know it 
     today, was instituted in the 1896 Olympics, and was won, if I 
     may say so, by a Greek peasant, Spyros Louis.
       Today, there are more than 500 marathons throughout the 
     world each year. They are inspirational gatherings, which 
     bring together thousands of athletes of different cultures, 
     ethnicities and races, an accomplishment in and of itself. 
     Many are also run to raise awareness for good causes.
       Phidippides, the first so-called Marathon runner, the man 
     who ran to tell his fellow citizens of their glorious victory 
     in the city of Marathon, is the stuff of legends around the 
     world. His story, as the story of many current Marathon 
     runners, who dedicate themselves to the pursuit of athletic 
     excellence, continue to inspire us. And as the Olympic Games, 
     so do marathon runs offer a moment in time when differences 
     are forgotten and participants are unified in the pursuit of 
     an ideal.
       Greece is grateful to Marathon Committees around the United 
     States for organizing the 2500th anniversary celebrations in 
     conjunction with Marathon runs throughout the country. We 
     thank all of them for their participation in these 
     commemorative events.
       We are also grateful to the Boston Marathon and the city of 
     Hopkinton, the guardian of the Marathon Flame, which carries 
     the spirit of Marathon all over the U.S. The cities of 
     Hopkinton and Marathon are sister-cities and share similar 
     cultural and athletic values.
       Most of all, we thank the United States Marines for 
     bringing the Marathon flame from Hopkinton to Washington, 
     under the auspices of the 35th Marine Corps Marathon and Race 
     Director, Mr. Rick Nealis.
       We are privileged to continue this tradition and honored to 
     be celebrating it with the Marine Corps Marathon, also known 
     as ``The People's Marathon''. It is on occasions such as this 
     that we realize our common past and hopefully realize that we 
     ought to work for a common future.
       Thank you.

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I certainly would like to 
acknowledge the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for his 
cosponsorship of the bill as well. I am looking forward to Mr. Smith, 
Mr. McGovern, and me all planning for next year's marathon and getting 
ready for the big race.
  I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Klein) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1704, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the 
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a 
quorum is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________