Political Quotes

“I proudly rise today and join my distinguished colleague and dear friend from Florida in recognizing the great achievement of the 176th anniversary of Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire. Over 200 years ago, America's Founding Fathers turned to Greece, the birthplace of democracy, as an idol in setting the course as a new nation. It was only fitting that Greece in turn look to the United States 50 years later as a role model for democratic government after struggling under the oppressive Ottoman Empire. Living under the rule of the Ottoman Empire fostered a revolutionary spirit in its people who had been subjected to decades of slavery, abuse, and cultural deprivation. It is this spirit that we recognize today. We recognize the spirit of Greeks that have gone on before, the Greeks that have brought so much to this country and those Greek-Americans living here today. A well-known Greek revolutionary who was burned alive by the Turks said in one of his famous poems that 'I would rather live free for one hour than suffer slavery and imprisonment for 40 years.' The United States-Greek relationship is among our strongest.”