[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4997]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               189TH ANNIVERSARY OF GREECE'S INDEPENDENCE

  Ms. SNOWE. Madam President, I rise today to commemorate the 189th 
anniversary of the day in 1821 when the people of Greece declared 
independence from the Ottoman Empire, launching the country's heroic 8-
year struggle to end centuries of political, religious and cultural 
repression of their proud and ancient culture. This is a truly 
cherished milestone for the Greek people, Greek Americans, and for all 
the friends of Greece around the globe.
  The ancient Greeks developed the concept of democracy, in which the 
supreme power to govern is vested in the people, and it was based on 
this political model and philosophy that our Founding Fathers formed 
our democratic republic. Today, our two nations are not only faithful 
allies, but also close friends bound by a shared heritage of democratic 
values and together we are at the forefront of freedom, democracy, 
peace, stability, and human rights.
  Nearly two centuries after the rebirth of Greek independence, there 
is much to celebrate, but there are also many significant challenges 
which we face in the 21st century. Ongoing provocations by Turkey in 
the Aegean and irredentist actions by the Former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia thwart Greece's quest for a stable southeastern Europe free 
of past centuries' often devastating territorial disputes. Protecting 
the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople the leader of Greek 
Orthodox Christians around the world from persecution, and ending the 
illegal occupation of the north of Cyprus remain as enormous 
imperatives that will require constructive engagement and a strong 
commitment from those willing to champion human rights.
  Overcoming these hurdles will require us to strengthen the 
relationship that exists between our two great nations, so as to defend 
our foundational principles and ensure our vitality in the centuries to 
come. On this anniversary of Greek independence, let us not only 
celebrate and congratulate our friends in Greece, but also rededicate 
ourselves to bolstering the relationship that exists between our 
countries.
  Madam President, as the first Greek-American woman elected to both 
the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, I extend my warm congratulations and 
best wishes to the people of Greece and all Greek Americans as we 
celebrate the 189th anniversary of Greece's independence.

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