[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 12 (Monday, March 27, 2006)]
[Pages 549-551]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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

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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.
    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.

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