| The Nest of the Hellenic Mind GREECE’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE CAUSE -OF HUMAN LIBERTY- BY: Recent United States Presidents! GEORGE W. BUSH; PRESIDENT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA The following presentation was made on March 23, 2001 at the White House by the President of the United States. It marked Greece’s 180th Anniversary of the war for independence from the Ottoman Empire. It was delivered in the presence of Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister G. Niotis and other dignitaries. “Your Eminence, thank you very much, sir. It’s always an honor to be in your presence. I think the last time we were together was at the church service right after I had the honor of being sworn in as the President. And I appreciate so very much you being there. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Niotis; Ambassador Philon; Ambassador Marcoulis; Director Tenet; distinguished guests from Greece, as well as from America, welcome. It’s a beautiful room to hold an important ceremony. I want to thank you all for coming. I particularly want to thank Congressman Mike Bilirakis, Gus Bilirakis as well as Senator Olympia Snowe, who is not with us today... When I became president I inherited the responsibility to safeguard one of America’s oldest and most sacred friendships-that of the government and people of the United States with the government and people of Greece. We must keep that relationship vibrant, as it has been for 180 years. It was 180 years ago that Greece proclaimed its independence, yet another example of Greece’ s contribution to the cause of human liberty. Few nations in the history of the world have done more to contribute to democratic self-government. A Chinese scholar, hoping to foster an appreciation of Western thought in his country, recently trans- lated the works of Homer into Chinese. He mastered ancient Greek in order to produce the most accurate translation possible, and explained it this way: If one wants to understand Western civilization one has to search back to our roots. And the roots lead to ancient Greece. Greek ideals had an enormous influence on the American founders. James Madison, the father of the constitution, wrote this: Among the confederacies of antiquity, the most considerable was the Grecian republics. We respect the ancient influence of Greece, and value its modern friendship. Greece and America have been allies in the great 20th century struggles against Nazism, Soviet Communism, and Iraqi aggression. Our two nations are bound by history, by trade, by mutual respect, by common ideals, and one of the world’s most important alliances. We, in the United States consider Greece to be a friend, a strong ally, and a powerful force for good in the world. And all the world will see this in vivid display when Athens hosts the Olympics of 2004. We are all looking forward to the great event. I am very pleased with the strong and expanding relationship between the United States and Greece. Our trade has increased by 16% in the last year. Tourism and high-level contacts between the United States and Greece have also increased. I want you to know that the United States stands ready to help Greece and Turkey as they work to improve their relations. I’m also committed to a just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus dispute. My administration fully supports the U.N. Secretary General’s efforts to bring peace and prosperity to all Cypriots. Our goal is an early assumption of the U.N. process. The greatest gifts of Greece, however, to this country are the immigrants it has sent, men and women who enrich our nation with their spirit. They’re the models of community and enterprise, of family, of education and public service. And we honor the Greek independence. And as we honor the Greek independence, I also want to honor the Greek contribution to our national character...” Immigrants arriving in NY HERE'S WHAT PRESIDENT Wiilliam Jefferson CLINTON SAID IN ATHENS IN NOVEMBER 1999 "We look to ancient Greece for inspiration; we look to modern Greece for leadership and partnership". Following please see the President Barack Obama's speech on Greece's Independence Day! "The American people join Hellenes today in commemorating the 188th anniversary of Greece's independence. As we celebrate the establishment of the Hellenic Republic, we honor the historic contributions of Greeks and Greek-Americans. Americans celebrated the cause of Greek independence during the new nation's earliest years. In 1824, summarizing support for the Greek struggle among the American people, then- Representative Henry Clay declared, "That it is felt with the deepest intensity, expressed in almost every possible form, and that it increases with every new day and passing hour." His words are echoed today as Americans celebrate the anniversary of this struggle for independence. The relationship between Greece and the United States owes much to the vision of democracy and liberty forged in Greece. In constructing a modern democratic framework, our Nation's founders drew upon the immutable principles of the ancient Greeks. All who cherish the ideal of democratic governance are beneficiaries of the Greek legacy. From the literary classics taught in our children's classrooms to the gleaming monuments of our Nation's capital, Greek cultural traditions have also found a home in the United States. In classrooms across the country, many of our students still immerse themselves in the epics of Homer, the dramas of Sophocles, and the philosophical innovations of Plato and Aristotle. Among the Greek-influenced structures in Washington, D.C., our Nation's Capitol Building draws upon the architectural legacy of the ancient Greeks. In recent history, Greece and the United States have stood together to meet the challenges of our times. Greeks and Americans fought for common causes over the course of the 20th century and continue to collaborate in this century, including through membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The strength of the bond between Greece and the United States is exemplified by the Greek- American community, which enriches our Nation with its cultural heritage and helps maintain the living relationship between our countries. On the anniversary of Greece's independence, we celebrate this friendship and look forward to realizing our common goals and aspirations..." President Obama and Archbishop Demetrios RETURN TO MAIN PAGE PLEASE! |
