[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4043]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE 191ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF GREECE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL G. GRIMM

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2012

  Mr. GRIMM. Mr. Speaker, today, as we honor the 191st Anniversary of 
Greek Independence, it gives me great pride as a member of the 
Congressional Hellenic Caucus in celebrating the ties that connect our 
two great democracies together as both friends and allies.
  In celebrating this day we also honor the accomplishments of Greek 
Americans, many of which first immigrated to our country and made their 
homes in New York, and the fantastic contributions they have brought to 
our country as a whole. I represent the 13th Congressional District of 
New York and am proud to have a large and thriving Greek American 
community in my district. Anyone who visits the remarkable cultural 
festivals thrown by the Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Bay Ridge, or the 
Holy Trinity/St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on the West Shore of 
Staten Island, can attest to the strength of, and support for, the 
Greek-American community in Staten Island and Brooklyn.
  Greek Independence Day is an opportunity for all Americans to reflect 
on our nation's own freedom. We must not forget that when the United 
States was first conceived, many of its ideals and laws were based on 
those of the Greeks. Just seeing the artwork right here in the United 
States Capitol or reading through our constitution exemplifies the 
profound impact the people of Greece have made on our modern society.
  It is with great pride that I rise today to honor the independence of 
a nation that, for centuries, has protected the fundamental rights of 
liberty and participation in the democratic process. I have seen the 
positive cultural heritage Greek-Americans bring to local communities 
firsthand in Staten Island and Brooklyn, and I am sure that the shared 
bond between our two great nations will remain rock solid for many 
years to come.

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