[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 12 (Monday, March 29, 1993)]
[Pages 492-493]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6539--Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration 
of Greek and American Democracy, 1993

 March 25, 1993

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    The people and Government of the United States join the people and 
Government of Greece in celebrating Greek Independence Day. The close 
and cordial ties between our nations are built upon the solid foundation 
of a common love of democratic values, strong cultural ties between our 
peoples, and a respect for human rights. Greek influence on American 
culture extends from the ideas of the great Hellenic thinkers to the 
many important contributions of Greek Americans today. These ties 
continue to strengthen the relationship between our nations and provide 
a solid and promising basis for the future.
    Two thousand and five hundred years ago, Cleisthenes succeeded in 
instituting a series of reforms in Athens and across the Peninsula of 
Attica that expanded the rule of government to a much broader group of 
citizens. The concept of democracy was thus created and embodied in a 
series of rights and laws. The personal freedom that resulted from these 
reforms sparked a period of cultural growth in philosophy and the arts 
to which Western culture is eternally indebted.
    The United States is proud to acknowledge the enormous debt it owes 
to the Greek philosophers and politicians. In creating a new Nation, the 
American Founding Fathers drew upon the Greek writings for inspiration 
as to the purpose of government and in order to define the common good 
of society. Hellenic ideals have also shaped our democracy through 
architecture. Across our Nation and especially in the Nation's Capital, 
the seats of representative government are housed in buildings inspired 
by the grand proportions and beautiful lines of Greek temples. In both 
nations, these buildings remind us of the ideals of truth, justice, and 
faith in the human ability on which our societies are founded.
    Our nations share not only the common bond of democratic philosophy 
but also the willingness to fight for self-determination and freedom and 
to be vigilant in protecting these hard-won rights. The Greek struggle 
for independence 172 years ago has long been admired by American 
citizens. In this century, the United States and Greece joined together 
to oppose threats to our democratic values from fascism and communism.
    It is fitting, therefore, that our two great democracies pause to 
realize how much they have benefited and continue to benefit from each 
other. As part of this effort, the National Gallery of Art in 
Washington, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Ministry 
of Culture of Greece have gathered a landmark exhibit of sculptures from 
the 5th century B.C. These sculptures, many of which have never left 
Greek soil, document in art the birth of the concept of the individual. 
In return for these gracious loans from Greece, the two American museums 
have lent more than 70 major paintings from their permanent collections 
for an exhibit at the National Gallery of Greece in Athens. This summer 
the National Archives will also display artifacts from the 5th century 
B.C. which demonstrate the great degree of participation of Athenians in 
their government. It is appropriate that our own Constitution will be 
juxtaposed against these artifacts.
    In recognition of the close bond that has been forged between the 
nations and peoples of the United States and Greece, the Congress, by 
Senate Joint Resolution 22, has designated March 25th as ``Greek 
Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American 
Democracy'' and has authorized and requested the President to issue a 
proclamation in observance of this day.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim March 25, 1993, as Greek 
Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American 
De- 

[[Page 493]]

mocracy. I call upon all Americans to observe this day, the 172nd 
anniversary of the beginning of the Greek revolution against the Ottoman 
Empire, with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities in honor 
of the Greek people and Greek independence.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth 
day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-three, 
and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred 
and seventeenth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:38 a.m., March 26, 
1993]


Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on March 
29.