[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 55 (Thursday, March 21, 2019)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 10399-10400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05541]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 55 / Thursday, March 21, 2019 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 10399]]

                Proclamation 9851 of March 18, 2019

                
Greek Independence Day: A National Day of 
                Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 2019

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On the 198th anniversary of Greek Independence Day, we 
                celebrate the rich history and enduring bond between 
                the United States and Greece. Our strong alliance and 
                unwavering friendship are rooted in mutual respect and 
                a shared commitment to freedom, justice, and democracy.

                The common bond between the United States and Greece is 
                rooted in thousands of years of tradition, stretching 
                back to ancient Greece. The lessons of ancient Greek 
                democracies are among the greatest and most enduring 
                ever taught. From them the world came to know and 
                understand the foundational principles of human 
                liberty, self-government, and the rule of law--the very 
                principles that fueled America's own drive for 
                independence and shaped our Republic. Decades after 
                securing our independence, American citizens expressed 
                their appreciation by supporting the people of Greece 
                in their fight for their own freedom.

                Today, our Greek-American partnership is robust and 
                gaining momentum. The inaugural United States-Greece 
                Strategic Dialogue, held last December, and the United 
                States-Greece Commercial Dialogue, held last September, 
                highlighted the strength of the bilateral relationship 
                and bolstered confidence in Greece as a regional 
                leader. We applaud the historic 2019 decision of the 
                Greek Parliament to ratify the Prespa Agreement, which 
                resolved the long-standing naming dispute with North 
                Macedonia. This ratification confirmed Greece's role as 
                a partner with an abiding commitment to advancing 
                stability, security, and prosperity in the region. 
                Additionally, the 2018 Thessaloniki International Fair 
                forged opportunities for enhanced collaboration in 
                technology, enterprise, and innovation.

                Our common vision for a peaceful and prosperous region 
                is particularly evident in our ongoing defense 
                relationship. The rotation of NATO aircraft and 
                equipment through Thessaloniki and Alexandroupoli, the 
                complex bilateral training events, and the availability 
                of Souda Bay for the naval forces of the United States 
                reflect mutually beneficial cooperation to ensure our 
                mutual strength and security. Our bilateral 
                relationship has also afforded many opportunities to 
                support partnerships and initiatives that address the 
                areas of defense and security, law enforcement and 
                counterterrorism, and energy security and 
                diversification.

                The strong people-to-people ties that undergird our 
                friendship also serve to fortify our alliance. We 
                continue to identify opportunities to increase student 
                and professional exchanges and English language 
                programs. These programs make tremendous contributions 
                to the economic, cultural, and political power of our 
                two great democracies. This summer, we will launch the 
                Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program with Greece to 
                develop the next generation of leaders who will sustain 
                and enhance our strong partnership.

                On this day, we honor the shared values that bind our 
                two countries as faithful allies and friends, and we 
                recognize the profound impact Greek-Americans have had 
                on every aspect of our culture. Together, recalling

[[Page 10400]]

                the spirit of the ancient Greeks, we reaffirm our 
                abiding belief that democratic institutions offer the 
                greatest opportunity to safeguard human rights, 
                dignity, and freedom for all.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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, 2019, as 
                Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration 
                of Greek and American Democracy. I call upon the people 
                of the United States to observe this day with 
                appropriate ceremonies and activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                third.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2019-05541
 3-20-19; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F9-P