[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 20, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H1644-H1645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1240
                         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

  (Ms. TITUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. TITUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a proud member of the 
Congressional Hellenic Caucus to recognize Greek Independence Day.
  Let us honor this date in memory of the beloved Andy Athens.
  This holiday celebrates the 1821 victory in the Greek people's 
struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire.
  My grandfather, Arthur Costandinos Cathones, for whom I am named, 
instilled in me a great love for Greece and Greek culture. The Hellenic 
values he taught me have served me well as guiding principles 
throughout my career in public service.

[[Page H1645]]

  I have enjoyed visiting Greece a number of times to learn firsthand 
about the birthplace of democracy. These trips have given me a deep 
understanding of the country's history, its food, its culture, its 
music and especially its people. I encourage my colleagues to visit 
Greece to experience all it has to offer.
  The U.S. and Greece have always shared a special bond that we should 
recognize and strengthen instead of repeatedly using Greece as the 
whipping boy for Europe's economic woes as some have done in speeches 
on this floor.

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