[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 56 (Thursday, March 25, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S1846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF GREECE AND 
         CELEBRATING DEMOCRACY IN GREECE AND THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 17, S. Res. 34.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 34) recognizing the 200th anniversary 
     of the independence of Greece and celebrating democracy in 
     Greece and the United States.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I come to the floor in honor of an 
historic occasion: the 200th anniversary of Greece's independence. I am 
delighted to join the Greek-American community in New Jersey and across 
the United States in celebrating this bicentennial. The bonds of 
friendship between the United States and Greece are unbreakable, and as 
I stand here, in the center of American democracy, I am reminded of the 
strength of the shared democratic values on which our long partnership 
is based.
  Greece has made incredible contributions to the world, not least of 
which is developing the ideals of democracy and rule of law that 
inspired our Founding Fathers to establish our American system of 
government. The very architecture of the Capitol building is a tribute 
to the foundational role Greece played in the shaping of our democracy 
and society. The democratic ideals developed in ancient Greece continue 
to motivate Americans and people around the world today.
  The people of the United States in turn worked to support the people 
of Greece as they began their own struggle for independence 200 years 
ago. American Philhellene Committees, comprised of ordinary Americans, 
sprung up to support the Greek fight for freedom through fundraising 
and humanitarian assistance.
  Members of Congress, including Daniel Webster applauded ``the 
struggle of an interesting and gallant people . . . contending against 
fearful odds . . . for the common privilege of human nature.'' In a 
letter to Greek scholar Adamantios Koraes, whose work formed the 
intellectual basis for the Greek independence struggle, Thomas 
Jefferson demonstrated his support by writing that ``no people 
sympathise more feelingly than ours with the sufferings of your 
countrymen, none offer more sincere and ardent prayers to heaven for 
their success.''
  Several American Philhellenes traveled to Greece to assist the Greek 
people more directly. Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, who later became a 
prominent voice in America's fight to end slavery, served with the 
Greek army as a surgeon and a soldier. Jonathan Peckham Miller, another 
future noted abolitionist, also served in the Greek army. George Jarvis 
fought alongside the Greek people, as well as working to provide food, 
medicine, and clothing to those who needed it with the support of the 
American Philhellene Committees.
  The bonds between the peoples and governments of Greece and the 
United States have lasted throughout our countries' long history and 
are stronger than ever today. Greece is an invaluable partner to the 
United States as a NATO member, as an EU member, and in promoting peace 
and stability in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean region. 
Greece's unwavering commitment to democracy and the rule of law makes 
it a truly reliable ally in the region and an increasingly critical one 
as we face the challenges of the 21st century.
  I am proud that Congress demonstrated its support for further 
boosting U.S.-Greece cooperation and U.S. support for the Greece-
Cyprus-Israel trilateral, with the passage of the Eastern Mediterranean 
Security and Energy Partnership Act a little over a year ago. Ensuring 
full implementation of this act is one of my priorities as chairman of 
the Foreign Relations Committee.
  The past few years have seen critical developments in U.S.-Greece 
relations. I am grateful to the leadership of officials in both 
countries whose work has helped U.S.-Greece ties reach their strongest 
level ever, including Ambassador Geoff Pyatt, and I look forward to 
building on their fantastic efforts in the months and years to come.
  This 200th anniversary of Greece's independence truly is a time to 
celebrate: a time to celebrate Greece's hard-won freedom; a time to 
celebrate the bonds between our peoples, and especially the many 
contributions Greek Americans have made to this country; and a time to 
celebrate our countries' shared history and democratic values, which 
will be the basis of our countries' cooperation for years to come.
  This week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously 
approved a resolution congratulating the people of Greece on the 200th 
anniversary of their independence. I am grateful to Senator Barrasso 
for joining me in leading this resolution and to my many Senate 
colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have cosponsored this 
resolution. With the passage of this resolution every year, Congress--
and, through us, the American people--send a clear message of support 
for the Greek people and our countries' enduring partnership.
  Greece's 200th independence anniversary serves not only as a reminder 
of our countries' long friendship, but also as a time for us to look to 
build on that history and strengthen our partnership for generations to 
come. The Eastern Mediterranean region and the world face unprecedented 
challenges, and growing the U.S.-Greece relationship is more critical 
than ever for our shared security and stability. I look forward to 
working with the people of Greece and the Greek-American community to 
make the vision of an even stronger U.S.-Greece relationship a reality.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to 
reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no 
intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 34) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in the Record of 
February 4, 2021, under ``Submitted Resolutions.''

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