2025 -- S 0880
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LC001178
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
COMMEMORATING MARCH 25, 2025, AS THE 204TH ANNIVERSARY OF GREEK
INDEPENDENCE DAY AND CELEBRATING DEMOCRA CY IN GREECE AND THE
UNITED STATES
Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, Gallo, Euer, Lawson, Tikoian, de la Cruz, Urso,
Felag, Patalano, and Burke
Date Introduced: March 25, 2025
Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration
WHEREAS, On March 25, 1821, the Feast Day of the Annunciation, the Greek nation 1
reclaimed its ancient heritage as the "Cradle of Democracy" by overthrowing the yoke of 2
oppression which had enslaved its people since the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Conquered by 3
the Ottoman Turks in the 15th century, Greece waged a successful war of Independence (1821-4
1829) and re-instituted a democratic form of government; and 5
WHEREAS, The People of the United States generously offered humanitarian assistance 6
to the Greek people during their struggle for independence; and 7
WHEREAS, The price for the people of Greece to hold onto their common values in their 8
region was high, as hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed in Greece during World War 9
II; and 10
WHEREAS, Greece is one of only three nations in the world, beyond the former British 11
Empire, that has been allied with the United States in every major international conflict over the 12
last 100 years; and 13
WHEREAS, Greece, located in a region where Christianity meets Islam and Judaism, 14
maintains excellent relations with Muslim nations and Israel, and demonstrates religious 15
tolerance; and 16
WHEREAS, The Ancient Macedonians were Hellenes and the northern Province of 17
Greece, Macedonia and the Hellenic descendants; and 18
WHEREAS, Greece and the United States are at the forefront of the effort for freedom, 19
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democracy, peace, stability, and human rights; and 1
WHEREAS, Many American Philhellenes participated and fought in the Greek War of 2
Independence. One such individual was George Wilson from Providence, Rhode Island, who 3
served as a gunman in the Greek fleet, most notably in the battle against the Turkish Navy in 4
Nafpaktos Bay, Greece; and 5
WHEREAS, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently met with Greek 6
Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and reaffirmed the strategic importance of the US-Greece 7
Partnership and stated that "Greece is a valued NATO ally and is critical to regional stability." 8
Secretary Rubio went on to say that "The United States applauds Greece's strong commitment to 9
defense spending, its regional leadership, including its continued support for Ukraine, delivery of 10
life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, and its support for freedom of navigation 11
in the Red Sea through its participation in operation Prosperity Guardian." Secretary Rubio also 12
welcomed Greece's presence on the UN Security Council for its 2025-2026 term; now, therefore 13
be it 14
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby celebrates March 25, 15
2025, as the 204th Anniversary of Greek Independence, reaffirms Rhode Island's abiding 16
commitment to the magnificent principles of democracy and religious freedom, and urges Turkey 17
to respect the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; and be it further 18
RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby commends the Greek-American community for its 19
contributions to Rhode Island and its role as a bridge between two countries; and be it further 20
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 21
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of 22
Cranston, the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Pawtucket, the St. Spyridon Greek 23
Orthodox Church of Newport, members of the Rhode Island Congressional delegation, the 24
Honorable Symeon Tegos, Consul General of the Hellenic Republic in Boston, and Archbishop 25
Elpidophoros of the Greek Archdiocese of America. 26
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