1Designating March 20, 2013, as "Greek Independence Day" in
2Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, The ancient Greeks developed democracy, in which the
4power to govern was vested in the people, and the founding
5fathers of the United States drew upon the experience and
6philosophy of ancient Greece in forming its representative
7democracy; and

8WHEREAS, Many Americans fought alongside the Greeks in their
9fight for independence, and Greece has been allied with this
10nation in every major international conflict in the 20th
11century; and

12WHEREAS, Sir Winston Churchill said of the Greeks, "Hence, we
13will not say that Greeks fight like heroes, but that heroes
14fight like Greeks"; and

15WHEREAS, Greece and the United States serve as the forefront
16of the worldwide effort to promote freedom, democracy, peace,
17stability and human rights, ideals which have forged a close
18bond between our nations; and

1WHEREAS, Approximately 3 million proud Greek Americans have
2established an enduring bridge between the United States and
3Greece, remaining connected to their heritage and passing their
4traditions on to new generations; and

5WHEREAS, Greek Americans in this Commonwealth have played a
6significant role in the economic, cultural and social
7development of this Commonwealth; therefore be it

8RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate March
920, 2013, as "Greek Independence Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it
10further

11RESOLVED, That all citizens are encouraged to recognize the
12struggles of the Greek people for freedom in their homeland and
13to reflect upon the importance of self-determination for all the
14people of the world.