[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5166]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    COMMEMORATING GREEK INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN F. TIERNEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 24, 2004

  Mr. TIERNEY. Mr. Speaker, as a proud member of the Congressional 
Caucus on Hellenic issues, I rise and join my colleagues in honoring 
the 183rd anniversary of Greek independence. This is an important 
occasion to pay special tribute to the Greek nation and its people.
  More than marking the independence achieved by the Greeks in 1821, 
today the House of Representatives celebrates the special relationship 
between Greece and the United States.
  We Americans owe a special debt of gratitude to the country upon 
which our democratic process is founded. Greece was the cradle of 
democracy, the birthplace of the civic engagement so inherent in our 
country's social fabric. Whenever we promote freedom, civil liberties, 
and self-determination, we pay testament to our shared values and 
common heritage.
  This year is particularly significant as the time when the Olympics 
return home. The 2004 Olympic Games in Athens will showcase both the 
prowess of the world's best athletes and the historical and cultural 
significance of a world-renowned city. Now more than ever, we look 
forward to seeing people from all over the globe come together in the 
spirit of peaceful competition, pursuing personal excellence, national 
pride and international cooperation.
  Today, in my district in Massachusetts, thousands of Greek American 
families will commemorate this occasion and partake in festivities that 
pay tribute to their heritage. I extend congratulations to them, to all 
the people of Greek descent in the United States, and to the people of 
Greece on this important holiday.

                          ____________________