| R 207 |
| 2026 -- H 8376 Enacted 03/31/2026 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| COMMEMORATING MARCH 25, 2026, AS THE 205TH ANNIVERSARY OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY AND CELEBRATING DEMOCRACY IN GREECE AND THE UNITED STATES |
Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, McNamara, Paplauskas, Chippendale, Solomon, Kennedy, Tanzi, Ajello, and Shallcross Smith |
| Date Introduced: March 31, 2026 |
| 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. Greece and the United States share a strong and |
| strategic partnership, rooted in historical ties and ongoing cooperation in various sectors, |
| including defense, economy, and culture; 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 Marco Rubio recently met with Greek |
| Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and reaffirmed the strategic importance of the US-Greece |
| Partnership and stated that "Greece is a valued NATO ally and is critical to regional stability." |
| Secretary Rubio went on to say that "The United States applauds Greece's strong commitment to |
| defense spending, its regional leadership, including its continued support for Ukraine, delivery of |
| life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, and its support for freedom of navigation |
| in the Red Sea through its participation in operation Prosperity Guardian." Secretary Rubio also |
| welcomed Greece's presence on the UN Security Council for its 2025-2026 term; and |
| WHEREAS, Secretary Rubio also praised and congratulated the Greek nation for its |
| successful economic reforms that have helped lead Greece to a strong economic recovery, with a |
| projected growth rate of 2.1 percent in 2026, outpacing most of Europe; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| celebrates March 25, 2026, as the 205th 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, and Archbishop |
| Elpidophoros of the Greek Archdiocese of America. |
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| LC003711 |
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