Robert Weygand: “I rise proudly in recognition of the 179th anniversary of Greek Independence and for the common democratic heritage…”

“I rise proudly in recognition of the 179th anniversary of Greek Independence and for the common democratic heritage shared by Greece and the United States. The struggle and victory of the Greek people against their Ottoman oppressors deserves special recognition for its contribution to human freedom and the triumph of democratic ideals and self-determination over those of tyranny and empire. In 1821, the people of Greece, inspired by the American Revolution, broke out in open rebellion against four centuries of foreign occupation in an effort to rule themselves in accordance with the principles of democracy first developed in ancient Greece. Fully cognizant and proud of their past, the Greeks strove for their own traditions and engaged in an independence movement that can only be described as heroic and inspirational to all free peoples. The Greeks defeated not only the Ottoman Turks to gain their independence, but also the Concert of Europe established at the Congress of Vienna following the Napoleonic wars.”