[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 4006]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and commemorate the 
192nd anniversary of Greek Independence Day.
  Like the American revolutionaries who fought for independence and 
established this great Republic we call the land of the free and the 
home of the brave, Greek freedom fighters similarly began an arduous 
struggle to win independence for Greece and its people 192 years ago on 
March 25.
  The Greeks faced four centuries of Ottoman oppression, a David versus 
Goliath situation, if you will. Beginning their revolution on March 25 
was no coincidence. This was the holy day dedicated to the mother of 
God, Theotokos; and as such, they had their champion, their savior, and 
their protector by their side. As Archbishop Germanos of Patras raised 
the flag of revolution over the Monastery of Agia Lavra in the 
Peloponnese, ``Eleftheria i Thanatos''--Liberty or Death--became their 
battle cry.
  As is true in our own country, the price of freedom was great, with 
brave men and women fighting for God and country in the hope of a 
better world for future generations.
  Our Greek brothers sacrificed much for their independence, and there 
are many stories which I could share to demonstrate the heroism they 
exhibited. Most Greeks will remember that of Athanasios Diakos, 
legendary hero, priest, patriot, and soldier who led 500 of his men in 
a notable stand against 8,000 Ottoman Turk soldiers. While Diakos' men 
were wiped out and he fell to enemy hands which tortured him before his 
death, he became the image for Greeks to give all for love of faith and 
homeland. May his memory be eternal, Mr. Speaker.
  The revolution brought independence to Greece and emboldened those 
who still sought freedom across the world. It proved a united people, 
through sheer will and perseverance, can prevail against tyranny. And 
it is a sentiment which can still be found among Greeks today.
  Greek soldiers served alongside Americans in World War I, World War 
II, and the Korean War. They've always been our allies, Mr. Speaker, 
and continue to be today.
  This week, the joint naval exercise Noble Dina is expected to 
conclude. And for the 3rd year, the navies representing the United 
States, Greece, and Israel have come together to engage in maritime 
evacuations and search and rescue drills, a symbol of the ongoing and 
growing friendships between the countries.

                              {time}  1030

  The lessons the Greeks taught us in 1821 continue to provide strength 
to victims of persecution throughout the world today. By honoring the 
Greek struggle for independence, we reaffirm the values and ideas that 
make America great.
  Each time I perform my constitutional duties, I am doing so in the 
legacy of our American forefathers and the ancient Greeks. As Thomas 
Jefferson once said, ``To the ancient Greeks, we are all indebted for 
the light which led ourselves, American colonists, out of gothic 
darkness.''
  We celebrate Greek Independence Day to reaffirm the common democratic 
heritage we share. And, as Americans, we must continue to pursue this 
spirit of freedom and liberty, which characterizes both great nations.
  Zito i Ellas. Long live Greece.

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