[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4193]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    185 YEARS OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2006

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 185th 
anniversary of Greek Independence. I would also like to make a special 
honor of Congressman Bilirakis, who is celebrating his last Greek 
Independence Day as a Member of the House of Representatives. I commend 
him for his service not only to our country but his indefatigable 
support of Hellenic issues. I know he will be missed not only by his 
constituents in Florida, his colleagues here and by all Hellenic 
Americans.
  March 25th is a date that will live in the hearts and minds of Greeks 
all around the world. After close to 400 years of Ottoman rule, on 
March 25, 1821, the people of Greece rose up against the Turks and won 
their independence.
  The Greeks have a history dating back almost 4,000 years, Greece is 
the cradle of democracy and its great philosophers were an invaluable 
inspiration for our founding fathers. In ancient Athens they found a 
model for the new democracy that our forefathers used to establish our 
democracy in America.
  We are joined by blood, culture, and a profound commitment to shared 
values. Greek ideals of democracy and freedom inspired our Nation's 
founders and breathed life into America's experiment with democratic 
self-government.
  Mr. Speaker, I have the great honor of representing a number of 
Greek-Americans in the Seventh District of New York. Their influence 
and active participation in the life of their communities has fostered 
economic, political and social growth throughout New York City.
  Generations of Greek Americans have enriched every aspect of our 
national life, in the arts, sciences, business, politics and sports. 
Through hard work, love of family and community, they have contributed 
greatly to the prosperity and peace that we all enjoy as Americans 
today.
  But as we celebrate Greek independence, we must keep in mind the 
ongoing struggle for freedom and demand for human rights on the island 
of Cyprus. I believe the United States and the international community 
must remain steadfast in our resolve to bring peace and unity to an 
island that has been home to violence and division for far, far too 
long.
  Mr. Speaker, let me reiterate my strong commitment to Greek 
communities in my district, the country, and throughout the world. 
Their strength and dedication to democracy and peace in the world has 
made them a shining star of modern civilization.

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