    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [March 24, 2006]
    [Pages 561-563]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Celebration of Greek Independence Day
    March 24, 2006

        Thank you. Welcome. Your Eminence, thank you for your kind words. You're a
    philosopher; you're a wise person; you're an incredibly compassionate
    soul; and I'm proud to call you friend. Thank you for being here.
        Thank you for inviting me to help celebrate the 185th anniversary of
    Greek Independence. America is a better country because of Greek
    Americans. It's something about the passion, the verve for life, the
    willingness to serve. I am blessed by having Greek Americans in my
    administration, two of the most important of whom have joined us, Your
    Eminence: John
    Negroponte, the Director of the National
    Intelligence, and the Homeland Security Adviser, Frances Fragos
    Townsend.
        Madame Foreign Minister, we are
    thrilled to have you here. Thank you for coming. Let me just say this,
    that it is a wise government who relies upon the judgment and advice of
    a woman as a Foreign Minister or Secretary of State. [Laughter] And I
    look forward to sharing our visit with my mother and dad, who are close
    to the Minister. And I know they're going to be thrilled to know that
    you're strong and optimistic in serving your great country with class
    and dignity.
        Mr. Ambassador, thank you as well.
    Appreciate--good to see you, sir. I appreciate Christos Folias, who is the Deputy Minister of Economy for Greece.
    Welcome, sir. It's good to see you.
        I am really pleased that Senator Paul Sarbanes is with us today. He has served with great distinction in
    the United States Senate. He has decided to move on to other ventures,
    and the State of Maryland will miss his leadership. Proud you're here,
    sir.
        I want to thank those who wear the Nation's uniform. Your
    Eminence, as you know, ours
    is a remarkable country, where people are willing to volunteer to serve
    our country in times of war. And our Nation is blessed to have men and
    women who, in the face of danger, say, ``I want to help.'' So thanks for
    coming. More importantly, thanks for serving. I know you share the

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    same feeling I share, that it is an honor to serve the United States of
    America.
        I want to thank the other Greek Americans, leaders, and folks who
    are here. Thanks for coming. Thanks for traveling long distances to be
    here in Washington.
        We honor Greek Independence Day because of the values we share.
    That's why it's a comfortable event. That's why it's an important event,
    Your Eminence. The ancient
    Athenians gave birth to democracy. They entrusted their citizens with
    the power to govern. That's a powerful concept. It wasn't always that
    way. In some parts of the world, it still isn't that way. But
    nevertheless, it is a universal concept, started by the Athenians.
        We respect the philosophy that grew out of Greece that honored and
    respected human dignity and human rights and, as you said, Your
    Eminence, the belief that
    there is universality to the concept of liberty. Freedom is not confined
    to Greece, nor is it confined to America. It is universal in its
    application, and that's one of the great lessons of Greek Independence
    Day.
        America's Founding Fathers were inspired by the democratic ideals,
    and it helped form our own Union. Those ideals became implanted in long-
    lasting documents. But as we watch the world today, we must understand
    that democracy is difficult at times. It's not easy to take hold. It
    requires work and diligence and optimism and strength and will. But the
    Greek lesson, not only in Greece but also here in America, is one that
    with time and persistence, liberty does take hold because of its
    universality. It's a lesson we honor on Greek Independence Day.
        When the founders of modern Greece claimed their freedom in 1821,
    they had the strong backing of America. The American people supported
    that independence. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, all
    members of the ex-Presidents Club--[laughter]--I'm not there yet,
    Your Eminence--[laughter]--
    all urged support of the Greek cause.
        Young Americans volunteered to serve in the new Greek Army. Many
    more Americans contributed funds to support the Greek people in their
    struggle for freedom. America stood side by side with those who
    struggled for liberty in 1821.
        It's reminiscent of what's taking place in the 21st century. Our two
    nations have continued to work together in freedom's cause. Greece was
    an ally of the United States in major international conflicts of the
    20th century. We're allies in the war on terror. In Afghanistan, Greece
    is a valuable contributor to the NATO-led International Security
    Assistance Force, and we thank your Government for that. Greece provides
    security at the Kabul International Airport, and we thank your
    Government for that as well.
        Greece has also been generous in the support for the Afghan people,
    and the Afghan people thank the Greek Government for that as well. Last
    month in London, for example, Greece pledged funds to support
    educational programs. The Greek Government decided to support
    entrepreneurship, with the full knowledge that education and
    entrepreneurship can lead to a prosperous and thriving economy so that
    the people can see the benefits of liberty.
        Greece is supporting other efforts in the war on terror. Our two
    nations remain committed to the security and counterterrorism
    partnership we put in place during the Olympics in Athens in 2004. By
    the way, people still marvel at how well those Olympics were run. The
    Government stood up and, in spite of all the criticism that was taking
    place, put on some great games. It's a model for other countries to
    follow.
        Greece and the United States are working together to keep our people
    safe. We'll continue to work together to spread the blessings of liberty
    because we understand that when we spread the blessings of liberty, it
    lays the foundation for peace. And that's what we want.

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        At home, Greek Americans strengthen our communities. Greek
    entrepreneurs contribute to our country's prosperity. The Greek culture
    enriches our entire country. The Greek Orthodox Church reflects
    America's religious diversity. It's a source of strength and unity and
    inspiration for many Greek Americans.
        I also understand that Greek Independence Day is the Feast of the
    Annunciation in the Orthodox faith, that they're celebrated together
    because they both represent good news. On Greek Independence Day, Greeks
    and Americans honor the anniversary of the Greek call for independence
    and celebrate the universal good news of freedom and liberty. We believe
    that freedom is God's gift to all people. And we know that by working
    together, freedom is on the march.
        Your Eminence, thank
    you for inviting me. May God bless you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:59 a.m. in Room 450 of the Dwight D.
    Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. In his remarks,
    he referred to Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox
    Church in America; Minister of Foreign Affairs Theodora Bakoyianni of
    Greece; and Greece's Ambassador to the U.S. Alexandros Mallias. The
    Greek Independence Day proclamation of March 17 is listed in Appendix D
    at the end of this volume.