80 FR 16249 - Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 2015

Executive Office of the President

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 59 (March 27, 2015)

Page Range		16249-16250
FR Document		2015-07242

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 59 (Friday, March 27, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 59 (Friday, March 27, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 16249-16250]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07242]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 59 / Friday, March 27, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 16249]]

                Proclamation 9242 of March 24, 2015

                
 Greek Independence Day: A National Day of 
                Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Since the dawn of our Nation, the United States and 
                Greece have shared a bond forged through common 
                struggle and deeply rooted in mutual beliefs. Greek 
                principles guided our Founders as they declared 
                America's independence, and nearly half a century 
                later, as Greek revolutionaries fought to throw off the 
                yoke of an empire, they renewed the creed that unites 
                free people everywhere: ordinary citizens can govern 
                themselves. Today, we celebrate the Hellenic spirit 
                that has inspired our two great nations -- separated by 
                an ocean but linked by a shared destiny written not for 
                us, but by us.

                It was the democratic example of ancient Greece from 
                which the founding generation of Americans drew 
                strength. In our Nation's earliest days, we sought 
                wisdom from Greek history and philosophy, and we found 
                hope within the pages of timeless Greek texts. Mindful 
                of the lessons of the Hellenic story, courageous 
                patriots undertook a bold experiment, securing the 
                blessings of liberty and laying the foundation for more 
                than two centuries of progress.

                But even in the cradle of democracy, the promise of 
                freedom was not preordained. More than 2,000 years 
                after the values of self-determination first found 
                expression in a small group of Hellenic city-states, 
                the Greek people stood up against tyranny and 
                sacrificed to restore democracy to its birthplace. They 
                met brutal hardship with unbreakable character, drew 
                inspiration from America's revolution, and never lost 
                faith in the ideals Greece has always represented.

                As Americans and Greeks, we are heirs to a long legacy 
                of hard-won freedom and justice -- values which we must 
                not only preserve, but renew and refresh in our own 
                time. Generations of Greek Americans have enriched the 
                United States and strengthened our communities. Their 
                heritage and vibrant culture are reflected in our story 
                of achievement and constant striving; their voices are 
                among the chorus of citizens who have driven this 
                country inexorably forward. Today, as Greece works to 
                lay a foundation for long-term prosperity, our Nation 
                continues to support our friend and NATO ally and to 
                help the Greek people reach for the future so many have 
                sought -- one where all women and men are free to 
                pursue their dreams, realize their potential, and 
                secure a brighter tomorrow for their children.

                Together, we continue the righteous task of perfecting 
                our two nations. On the 194th anniversary of Greek 
                independence, let us celebrate the enduring ties 
                between our peoples and stand with those around the 
                world who long for liberty and the chance to join in 
                the noble work of building a democracy.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2015, as 
                Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration 
                of Greek and

[[Page 16250]]

                American Democracy. I call upon the people of the 
                United States to observe this day with appropriate 
                ceremonies and activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2015-07242
Filed 3-26-15; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F5

$16249 Federal Register Presidential Documents Vol. 80, No. 59 Friday, March 27, 2015 Title 3— Proclamation 9242 of March 24, 2015 The President Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 2015 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Since the dawn of our Nation, the United States and Greece have shared a bond forged through common struggle and deeply rooted in mutual beliefs. Greek principles guided our Founders as they declared America’s independ- ence, and nearly half a century later, as Greek revolutionaries fought to throw off the yoke of an empire, they renewed the creed that unites free people everywhere: ordinary citizens can govern themselves. Today, we celebrate the Hellenic spirit that has inspired our two great nations — separated by an ocean but linked by a shared destiny written not for us, but by us. It was the democratic example of ancient Greece from which the founding generation of Americans drew strength. In our Nation’s earliest days, we sought wisdom from Greek history and philosophy, and we found hope within the pages of timeless Greek texts. Mindful of the lessons of the Hellenic story, courageous patriots undertook a bold experiment, securing the blessings of liberty and laying the foundation for more than two centuries of progress. But even in the cradle of democracy, the promise of freedom was not preordained. More than 2,000 years after the values of self-determination first found expression in a small group of Hellenic city-states, the Greek people stood up against tyranny and sacrificed to restore democracy to its birthplace. They met brutal hardship with unbreakable character, drew inspiration from America’s revolution, and never lost faith in the ideals Greece has always represented. As Americans and Greeks, we are heirs to a long legacy of hard-won freedom and justice — values which we must not only preserve, but renew and refresh in our own time. Generations of Greek Americans have enriched the United States and strengthened our communities. Their heritage and vibrant culture are reflected in our story of achievement and constant striving; their voices are among the chorus of citizens who have driven this country inexorably forward. Today, as Greece works to lay a foundation for long- term prosperity, our Nation continues to support our friend and NATO ally and to help the Greek people reach for the future so many have sought — one where all women and men are free to pursue their dreams, realize their potential, and secure a brighter tomorrow for their children. Together, we continue the righteous task of perfecting our two nations. On the 194th anniversary of Greek independence, let us celebrate the endur- ing ties between our peoples and stand with those around the world who long for liberty and the chance to join in the noble work of building a democracy. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with D0 NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2015, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:55 Mar 26, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4705 Sfmt 4790 E:\FR\FM\27MRD0.SGM 27MRD0$

Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:36:03
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:36:03

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Presidential Documents
FR Citation		80 FR 16249