[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22445]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          INTERDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ANTHONY D. WEINER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2003

  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring the attention of this 
body to an event that took place last week. On September 12, 2003, some 
of the finest citizens from around the world assembled in Philadelphia, 
the birthplace of our democracy, to recognize the first 
``Interdependence Day''.
  This historic event brought together public, civic and corporate 
leaders, distinguished academics and diplomats, and interested citizens 
and students, to reflect together on the fact that the world is 
becoming more and more connected. In a global climate that is too often 
rife with conflict, the participants of Interdependence Day examined 
ways to best diffuse the tensions that exist between nations and 
cultures. Indeed, the choice of September 12th for Interdependence Day 
was made in the hope that the symbolism of ``the day after'' would 
encourage citizens from around the world to see that terrorism and war 
are also opportunities for civic renewal and global cooperation.
  Those in attendance had the opportunity to sign the Declaration of 
Interdependence--a document affirming the interdependent character of 
the post-modern world--to ponder questions of the relationship of 
independence to interdependence, and to celebrate the creation of an 
important 21st century commemorative event.
  Interdependence Day events took place this year not just in 
Philadelphia, but in Budapest and in a number of schools and colleges 
in the United States. By the year 2004, the sponsors at the Democracy 
Collaborative expect to have many more venues. Mr. Speaker, I commend 
those who came together to celebrate Interdependence Day in 
Philadelphia, and those around the country and the world who are 
working to see that that horrors of September 11 are never repeated.

                          ____________________