A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND GREECE AS THE "CRADLE OF DEMOCRACY" AND TO CELEBRATE MARCH 25, 2026, AS GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY.

 

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 that had enslaved its people since the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Conquered by the Ottoman Turks in the fifteenth century, Greece waged a successful war of independence (1821-1829) and reinstituted 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 Greece in holding on to our common values in their region proved to be 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 have been allied with the United States in every major international conflict over the last one hundred years; and

 

Whereas, located in a region where Christianity meets Islam and Judaism, Greece maintains excellent relations with Muslim nations and with Israel and demonstrates religious tolerance; and

 

Whereas, the ancient Macedonians were Hellenes, and their Hellenic descendants are in present-day Macedonia, a northern province of Greece; and

 

Whereas, Greece and the United States are at the forefront of the effort for freedom, democracy, peace, stability, and human rights; and

 

Whereas, over the past year, the United States has significantly increased its engagement with Greece in the maritime sector. In partnership with the Greek shipping fleet, the United States is helping Greece and all of southeast Europe to ensure energy independence; and

 

Whereas, March 25, 2026, Greek Independence Day, marks the anniversary of the beginning of the revolution that freed the Greek people from the Ottoman Empire and celebrates the aspirations for democracy and tolerance that the people of Greece and the United States share; and

 

Whereas, it is proper and desirable for the United States to celebrate this anniversary with the Greek people and to reaffirm the democratic principles from which these two great nations were born and for South Carolina to reaffirm its abiding commitment to the magnificent principles of democracy and religious freedom. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and commend Greece as the "Cradle of Democracy" and celebrate March 25, 2026, as Greek Independence Day.

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