Rhode Island HR 8376: HOUSE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING MARCH 25, 2026, AS THE 205TH ANNIVERSARY OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY AND CELEBRATING DEMOCRACY IN GREECE AND THE UNITED STATES

Bill Text

2026 -- H 8376
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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. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
COMMEMORATING MARCH 25, 2026, AS THE 205TH ANNIVERSARY OF GREEK
INDEPENDENCE DAY AND CELEBRATING DEMOCRACY IN GREECE AND THE
UNITED STATES
Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, McNamara, Paplauskas,
Chippendale, Solomon, Kennedy, Tanzi, Ajello, and Shallcross Smith
Date Introduced: March 31, 2026
Referred To: House read and passed

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. Greece and the United States share a strong and 18
strategic partnership, rooted in historical ties and ongoing cooperation in various sectors, 19

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including defense, economy, and culture; and 1
WHEREAS, Greece and the United States are at the forefront of the effort for freedom, 2
democracy, peace, stability, and human rights; and 3
WHEREAS, Many American Philhellenes participated and fought in the Greek War of 4
Independence. One such individual was George Wilson from Providence, Rhode Island, who 5
served as a gunman in the Greek fleet, most notably in the battle against the Turkish Navy in 6
Nafpaktos Bay, Greece; and 7
WHEREAS, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently met with Greek 8
Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and reaffirmed the strategic importance of the US-Greece 9
Partnership and stated that "Greece is a valued NATO ally and is critical to regional stability." 10
Secretary Rubio went on to say that "The United States applauds Greece's strong commitment to 11
defense spending, its regional leadership, including its continued support for Ukraine, delivery of 12
life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, and its support for freedom of navigation 13
in the Red Sea through its participation in operation Prosperity Guardian." Secretary Rubio also 14
welcomed Greece's presence on the UN Security Council for its 2025-2026 term; and 15
WHEREAS, Secretary Rubio also praised and congratulated the Greek nation for its 16
successful economic reforms that have helped lead Greece to a strong economic recovery, with a 17
projected growth rate of 2.1 percent in 2026, outpacing most of Europe; now, therefore be it 18
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 19
celebrates March 25, 2026, as the 205th Anniversary of Greek Independence, reaffirms Rhode 20
Island's abiding commitment to the magnificent principles of democracy and religious freedom, 21
and urges Turkey to respect the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; and 22
be it further 23
RESOLVED, That this House hereby commends the Greek-American community for its 24
contributions to Rhode Island and its role as a bridge between two countries; and be it further 25
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 26
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of 27
Cranston, the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Pawtucket, the St. Spyridon Greek 28
Orthodox Church of Newport, members of the Rhode Island Congressional delegation, the 29
Honorable Symeon Tegos, Consul General of the Hellenic Republic in Boston, and Archbishop 30
Elpidophoros of the Greek Archdiocese of America. 31
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