SENATE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING MARCH 25, 2026, AS THE 205TH ANNIVERSARY OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY AND CELEBRATING DEMOCRACY IN GREECE AND THE UNITED STATES

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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S E N A T 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:
Senators Raptakis, Lawson, Tikoian, Gallo, Patalano, Urso, Dimitri, E
Morgan, Euer, and LaMountain

Date Introduced:
March 31, 2026

Referred To:
Recommended for Immediate Consideration
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WHEREAS, On March 25, 1821, the Feast Day of the Annunciation, the Greek nation
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reclaimed its ancient heritage as the "Cradle of Democracy" by overthrowing the yoke of
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oppression which had enslaved its people since the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Conquered by
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the Ottoman Turks in the 15th century, Greece waged a successful war of Independence (1821-
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1829) and re-instituted a democratic form of government; and
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WHEREAS, The People of the United States generously offered humanitarian assistance
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to the Greek people during their struggle for independence; and
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WHEREAS, The price for the people of Greece to hold onto their common values in their
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region was high, as hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed in Greece during World War
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II; and
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WHEREAS, Greece is one of only three nations in the world, beyond the former British
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Empire, that has been allied with the United States in every major international conflict over the
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last 100 years; and
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WHEREAS, Greece, located in a region where Christianity meets Islam and Judaism,
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maintains excellent relations with Muslim nations and Israel, and demonstrates religious
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tolerance; and
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WHEREAS, The Ancient Macedonians were Hellenes and the northern Province of
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Greece, Macedonia and the Hellenic descendants. Greece and the United States share a strong and
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strategic partnership, rooted in historical ties and ongoing cooperation in various sectors,

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