Honoring Greek Independence Day

Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join the Greek community to celebrate the 174th anniversary of Greek independence. On March 25, 1821, the Archbishop of Patras blessed the Greek flag at the Aghia Lavra monastery near Kalavrita, marking the beginning of the Greek war of independence in which nearly 400 years of Ottoman rule was turned aside. Since the war for independence, Greece has become a steadfast ally of the United States. But that alliance and freedom have not come without a price. More than 600,000 Greeks died while fighting with the Allied forces in World War II against fascism. Ancient Greece was the birthplace of democratic values. It brought forth the notion that the ultimate power to govern belongs in the hands of the people. It inspired a system of checks and balances to ensure that one branch of government does not dominate any other branch. These ideals inspired our Founding Fathers as they wrote the Constitution. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, "to the ancient Greeks * * * we are all indebted for the light which led ourselves out of Gothic darkness." These democratic principles, formed more than 2,500 years ago, have affected change around the world. Witness our own Revolutionary War, the renewal of Greek independence, and the dramatic recent changes in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet States, and around the globe. Today, the United States is enriched not only by Greek principles but also by its sons and daughters. Greek-Americans have made major contributions to American society, including our arts, sports, medicine, religion, and politics. My home State of Michigan has been enhanced by the Greek community. In Macomb and St. Clair Counties, we are served by St. John's Greek Orthodox Church and Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. These institutions provide a multitude of community services and add to the rich diversity of the area. In this changing world of ours, the challenges today include protecting the integrity of the borders of Greece and promoting the democratic ideals which originated in that country. Let us not forget the sacrifices Greeks have made to preserve freedom and enhance democracy. Mr. Speaker, I join the people of Greece and those of Greek ancestry around the world celebrating Greek Independence Day. I salute all of them for the tremendous contributions to freedom and human dignity which they have made.