[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.