[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 59 (Thursday, March 27, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 14771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8065]



[[Page 14769]]

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Part VII





The President





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Proclamation 6979--Greek Independence Day: A National Day of 
Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 1997
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 59 / Thursday, March 27, 1997 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 14771]]

                Proclamation 6979 of March 25, 1997

                
Greek Independence Day: A National Day of 
                Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 1997

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Today, the Greek people and the Hellenic Republic will 
                celebrate the 176th anniversary of the beginning of 
                their struggle for independence.

                On this day, it is fitting that we reflect on the 
                enormous contributions the Greek people have made to 
                the modern world. The legacy of the ancient Greeks, in 
                the fields of philosophy, literature, drama, sculpture, 
                and architecture, continues to influence our beliefs, 
                our values, and our concept of art. And, after more 
                than 2,000 years, the ideology of Greece--as embodied 
                in the concept of democracy--is still the ideal that 
                guides us in charting our course for the future.

                Greek ideology had a profound effect on our Founding 
                Fathers, who molded the American form of government 
                based upon the principles of Greek democracy. Thomas 
                Jefferson studied the Greek classics in his youth and 
                was inspired by their philosophy throughout his life, 
                most dramatically when he crafted the Declaration of 
                Independence. When formulating his vision for this 
                country, Jefferson specifically referred to the 
                integrated assertions, theories, and aims of the 
                classic Greek world.

                Our admiration for Greece continues into the modern 
                day, and we salute its commitment to democracy, to 
                peace, and to a united and stable Europe. We share a 
                partnership with Greece in NATO, and our countries are 
                linked forever by close family relationships between 
                our peoples. Our Nation looks forward to working 
                closely with Greece in the coming years as we examine 
                ways to bring full peace, stability, and prosperity to 
                all the nations of Europe and the world.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 1997, as Greek 
                Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of 
                Greek and American Democracy. I call upon all Americans 
                to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, 
                activities, and programs.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord 
                nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twenty-first.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 97-8065
Filed 3-26-97; 11:34 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P