[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 29, 2000)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 16509-16510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7900]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 61 / Wednesday, March 29, 2000 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 16509]]

                Proclamation 7283 of March 24

                
Greek Independence Day: A National Day of 
                Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 2000

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Two thousand five hundred years ago, the birth of 
                democracy in Greece ushered in one of the true golden 
                ages of Western civilization. The flowering of 
                political, social, and artistic innovation in Greece 
                served as the source of many of our most treasured 
                gifts--the philosophy of Plato and Socrates, the plays 
                of Sophocles and Aristophanes, the heroic individualism 
                that rings in the epic poetry of Homer.

                But Ancient Greece's greatest legacy is the 
                establishment of democratic government. America's 
                founders were deeply influenced by the passion for 
                truth and justice that guided Greek political theory. 
                In ratifying our Constitution, they forever enshrined 
                these principles in American law and created a system 
                of government based on the Hellenic belief that the 
                authority to govern derives directly from the people.

                While our democracy has its roots in Greek thought, the 
                friendship between our two nations flows from our 
                shared values, common goals, and mutual respect. This 
                kinship with the Greek people was reflected in the 
                enthusiasm with which America embraced modern Greece's 
                fight for independence 179 years ago. Many Americans 
                fought alongside the Greeks, while stirring speeches by 
                President James Monroe and Daniel Webster led the 
                Congress to send funds and supplies to aid the Greeks 
                in their struggle for freedom.

                Our alliance with Greece has remained strong. Together 
                we have stood up to the forces of oppression in 
                conflicts from World War II to the Persian Gulf, we 
                have joined as strategic partners in NATO, and we have 
                worked to build peace, stability, and prosperity in the 
                Balkans. Through decades of challenge and change, our 
                friendship has endured and deepened, and together we 
                have proved the fundamental truth of the Greek proverb, 
                ``The passion for freedom never dies.''

                That passion for freedom has also beckoned generations 
                of Greek men and women to America's shores, and today 
                we celebrate and give thanks for the myriad 
                contributions Greek Americans have made to our national 
                life. More than a million citizens of Greek descent 
                live in America today, and their devotion to family, 
                faith, community, and country has enriched our society 
                immeasurably.

                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 the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2000, 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.

[[Page 16510]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 00-7900
Filed 03-28-00; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P