[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 12 (Monday, March 26, 2007)]
[Pages 364-365]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8115--Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration 
of Greek and American Democracy, 2007

 March 21, 2007

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    The United States and Greece share a long friendship built on common 
values and an abiding love for freedom. On Greek Independence Day, we 
underscore the warm ties between our countries, recognize the Greek 
Americans who enrich our society, and commemorate the anniversary of 
modern Greece.
    The ancient Greeks entrusted their citizens with the right to 
govern, and they believed in the power of freedom to protect human 
dignity and basic human rights. Many of America's Founding Fathers 
studied Greek history and took inspiration from these democratic ideals 
as they framed our Constitution. The founders of modern Greece had the 
strong support of our own young democracy when they declared their 
independence in 1821, and our nations have stood as allies in the major 
conflicts of the 20th century. Today, we continue to defend freedom 
together in the global war on terror, as Greek and American Armed Forces 
work to lay the foundation of peace for generations to come.
    On Greek Independence Day, and throughout the year, we celebrate the 
universality of freedom and the enduring bonds between Greece and the 
United States.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and 
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2007, as Greek 
Independence Day: A National Day

[[Page 365]]

of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. I call upon all 
Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and 
activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first 
day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
first.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:25 a.m., March 22, 
2007]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on March 
23.