84R13320 BPG-D
By: Bonnen of Brazoria H.R. No. 1144
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Greeks around the world are commemorating the 194th
anniversary of a pivotal moment in their history with the
observance of Greek Independence Day on March 25, 2015; and
WHEREAS, After centuries of oppression under the Ottoman
Empire, the Greeks rose up in March 1821 when the courageous Bishop
Germanos of Patras raised the flag of revolution over the Monastery
of Agia Lavra in the Peloponnese; the Greeks were badly
outnumbered, but they adopted the cry "freedom or death" as their
motto and stayed true to it; and
WHEREAS, Greek representatives declared their nation's
independence in January 1822 and drafted a modern constitution in a
national assembly; although the struggle continued, the freedom
fighters were resolved to restore the principles of democracy
established by Greece during antiquity; the nation finally achieved
recognition as an independent state with the signing of the Treaty
of Edirne in 1829; and
WHEREAS, Greece and the United States are both founded on the
bedrock principle of self-determination, and they share a culture
that values faith, community, civic engagement, and the democratic
form of government; this significant date in the Greek calendar
provides an ideal opportunity to celebrate the deep connections
between our countries and to acknowledge the many contributions
made by people of Greek descent to the United States and the world;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 25, 2015, as Greek Independence
Day and encourage all Texans to learn more about the history of
Greece and its democracy.