[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 58 (Monday, March 29, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 16283-16284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06536]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 58 / Monday, March 29, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 16283]]

                Proclamation 10161 of March 24, 2021

                
Greek Independence Day: A National Day of 
                Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Exactly 200 years ago, inspired by the same ideals of 
                liberty, self-governance, and passionate belief in 
                democracy that sparked the American Revolution, the 
                people of Greece declared their independence. Today, 
                the people of the United States join the Greek people 
                in commemorating the creation of the modern Greek 
                state--and celebrating two centuries of enduring 
                friendship between our nations.

                On Greek Independence Day, we celebrate the history and 
                values that unite the United States of America and the 
                Hellenic Republic. Our Founding Fathers drew 
                inspiration from ancient Greece's example as they 
                framed our Constitution and formed the world's first 
                modern democracy. A few decades later, American 
                Philhellenes championed Greece's quest for 
                independence, forging a close connection between our 
                peoples that has flourished over the ensuing years.

                During the course of my career, I have had the 
                privilege to work closely with many Greek Prime 
                Ministers. I have been blessed by lifelong friendships 
                in the Greek-American community, including with a great 
                leader whom we recently lost, Senator Paul Sarbanes. 
                From a young age, I have admired the courage, decency, 
                and honor that defines the Greek community--the 
                unwillingness to bend or bow in the face of injustice, 
                or to accept abuses of power.

                Today, Greece is a crucial NATO ally and friend of the 
                United States, and a leader for peace and prosperity in 
                the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Western 
                Balkans regions. The United States welcomes Greece's 
                commitment to hosting the United States Naval Support 
                Activity at Souda Bay, Crete, and United States 
                rotational forces elsewhere in Greece. Through our 
                ongoing Strategic Dialogue, we have advanced our 
                relationship in nearly every respect. We have 
                accelerated progress on making the region a safer 
                place, and we have increased trade and investment that 
                brings jobs and prosperity to the people of our nations 
                and to the world.

                Our strong and historic relationship continues to grow 
                in depth and breadth. We have diversified the region's 
                energy sources, enhanced educational and cultural 
                exchanges, partnered on counterterrorism, and 
                reconfirmed our commitment to the rule of law. As we 
                honor our shared history and accomplishments, we 
                believe the common values that have guided our 
                societies for 200 years will help us accomplish even 
                more together in the years to come.

                This bicentennial reminds Americans and Greeks alike of 
                the enduring strength of the principles that sparked 
                our respective revolutions and the values that uphold 
                our democracies. We congratulate Hellenic-American 
                organizations, the estimated three million Americans of 
                Greek descent, and the Greek people on a year of 
                commemorations and events celebrating this historic 
                milestone in both the United States and Greece. 
                Together, we will continue to lift high the lamp of 
                democracy, whatever challenges come our way.

[[Page 16284]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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, 
                2021, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of 
                Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, and 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 
                twenty-fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-06536
Filed 3-26-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P