res24175

R 175

2024 -- H 8113
Enacted 04/02/2024

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING MARCH 25, 2024, AS THE 203RD ANNIVERSARY OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY AND CELEBRATING DEMOCRACY IN GREECE AND THE UNITED STATES

Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Corvese, Batista, J. Lombardi, Fenton-Fung, Finkelman, and Noret

Date Introduced: March 28, 2024

WHEREAS, On March 25, 1821, the Feast Day of the Annunciation, the Greek nation

reclaimed its ancient heritage as the "Cradle of Democracy" by overthrowing the yoke of

oppression which had enslaved its people since the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Conquered by

the Ottoman Turks in the 15th century, Greece waged a successful war of Independence (1821-

1829) and re-instituted a democratic form of government; and

WHEREAS, The People of the United States generously offered humanitarian assistance

to the Greek people during their struggle for independence; and

WHEREAS, The price for the people of Greece to hold onto their common values in their

region was high, as hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed in Greece during World War

II; and

WHEREAS, Greece is one of only three nations in the world, beyond the former British

Empire, that has been allied with the United States in every major international conflict over the

last 100 years; and

WHEREAS, Greece, located in a region where Christianity meets Islam and Judaism,

maintains excellent relations with Muslim nations and Israel, and demonstrates religious

tolerance; and

WHEREAS, The Ancient Macedonians were Hellenes and the northern Province of

Greece, Macedonia and the Hellenic descendants; and

WHEREAS, Greece and the United States are at the forefront of the effort for freedom,

democracy, peace, stability, and human rights; and

WHEREAS, Many American Philhellenes participated and fought in the Greek War of

Independence. One such individual was George Wilson from Providence, Rhode Island, who

served as a gunman in the Greek fleet, most notably in the battle against the Turkish Navy in

Nafpaktos Bay, Greece; and

WHEREAS, United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Greek Prime

Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on January 6, 2024, in Crete. The two underscored the strength of

the bilateral relationship and shared commitment as NATO Allies to democracy, peace, and

prosperity. They discussed the ongoing situation in the Middle East. The Secretary thanked the

Prime Minister for Greece's regional leadership, including its continued support for Ukraine,

delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, and for freedom of navigation

in the Red Sea through its participation in operation Prosperity Guardian; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

celebrates March 25, 2024, as the 203rd Anniversary of Greek Independence, reaffirms Rhode

Island’s abiding commitment to the magnificent principles of democracy and religious freedom,

and urges Turkey to respect the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; and

be it further

RESOLVED, That this House hereby commends the Greek-American community for its

contributions to Rhode Island and its role as a bridge between two countries; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of

Cranston, the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Pawtucket, the St. Spyridon Greek

Orthodox Church of Newport, members of the Rhode Island Congressional delegation, the

Honorable Symeon Tegos, Consul General of the Hellenic Republic in Boston, Archbishop

Elpidophoros of the Greek Archdiocese of America.

========

LC005439

========