Sean Patrick Maloney: “I rise also today with my colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus…”

“I rise also today with my colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus, which I chair with him, to recognize the Hellenic Americans and their heritage and their tremendous contribution to our country and really to the world. The ancient state of Greece inspired our country in so many ways, from the architecture, the design of the very building in which we are residing right now, to the design of our government; and today we pay tribute to Greece's declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire on March 25. In 2002 it will be the 181st anniversary. History tells us that in 1821 Greece rose up in a bloody revolt against the repressive might of the Ottoman Empire. Determined to end 400 years of slavery or die in the attempt, Greek patriots began their unyielding struggle for liberty and independence. The legend says that on March 21, 1821, Bishop Germanos of Patras hoisted the Greek flag at the monastery of Agia Lavra in the Peloponnese in an act of defiance that marked the beginning of the war of independence. At a time when we in the United States are fighting to preserve our democracy from terrorists, I find a great deal of significance in our firemen raising the American flag at the World Trade Center after the attack on September 11.”