[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4429]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN TRIBUTE TO GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2006

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of the 185th 
Anniversary of Greek Independence Day and in doing so, join millions of 
my fellow Americans in commemorating the rebellion of the Greek people 
against the Ottoman Empire and celebrate their declaration of 
independence on March 25, 1821.
  The strong and invaluable friendship between the United States and 
Greece leads me to recognize Greek Independence Day, a day in which we 
celebrate the Hellenic people's long, but heroic revolt against 400 
years of oppressive rule by the Ottomans. Their struggle for 
independence demonstrates the strong commitment of the Greek people to 
achieving freedom from tyranny and oppression. We can see this through 
Greece's steadfast support of the United States in every major struggle 
for freedom and democracy, including our global fight against terror. 
The strength of our great friendship with and the contributions to our 
nation made by the Hellenic community make me proud to honor such an 
important day in Greek history.
  Our two nations are committed to the shared values of democracy, 
justice and freedom. Greek ideals of democracy and freedom inspired our 
nation's founders and helped shape the very fabric of our democratic 
government. Greek immigrants have been welcomed to the shores of 
America for generations, and we are grateful for how they have enhanced 
our collective culture and contributed to our country. I stand proudly 
with the many Hellenic-Americans in the 9th District of New Jersey and 
salute them and their ancestors' struggle for freedom on the 
anniversary of Greek Independence Day.
  I welcome this opportunity to celebrate the 185th Greek Independence 
Day with the Hellenic community. On this day let us remember more than 
just Greece's independence, but also celebrate Greece as an invaluable 
ally and longstanding friend of all freedom-loving peoples.

                          ____________________