TITLE: Recognizing Greek Independence Day on March 25, 2013.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Greek Independence Day on March 25, 2013.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, March 25, 2013, marks an important date in the lives of Greek residents of Texas and beyond, as it commemorates the 192nd anniversary of Greek Independence Day; and WHEREAS, On March 25, 1821, the brave men and women of Greece began their struggle for liberty against the Ottoman Empire, and in January 1822 the rebels declared their nation's independence; and WHEREAS, Both American and Greek cultures value faith, community, civic engagement, and a democratic form of government; our nations have long opposed tyrannical regimes that emphasize military might and dominance over the well-being and rights of people, and we share a willingness to make tremendous sacrifices in order to advance the causes of freedom, equality, and human dignity; and WHEREAS, In forming our democratic framework, America's founders derived inspiration from the principles of democracy and liberty forged in Greece, and citizens of Texas built on those same ideals when they formed a government after achieving independence from Mexico in 1836; and WHEREAS, Today, we join with all those who cherish freedom and self-determination to recognize this historic date and to reaffirm the democratic vision that gave birth to our two great nations; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby recognize Greek Independence Day on March 25, 2013, and honor the important contributions made by Greek Americans on this significant occasion. Bonnen of Brazoria Straus M. Gonzalez of El Paso Oliveira Allen N. Gonzalez of El Paso Orr Alonzo Gooden Otto Alvarado Guerra Paddie Anchia Guillen Parker Anderson Gutierrez Patrick Ashby Harless Perez Aycock Harper-Brown Perry Bell Hernandez Luna Phillips Bohac Herrero Pickett Bonnen of Brazoria Hilderbran Pitts Bonnen of Galveston Howard Price Branch Huberty Raney Burkett Hughes Ratliff Burnam Hunter Raymond Button Isaac Reynolds Callegari Johnson Riddle Canales Kacal Ritter Capriglione Keffer Rodriguez of Bexar Carter King of Hemphill Rodriguez of Travis Clardy King of Parker Rose Coleman King of Taylor Sanford Collier King of Zavala Schaefer Cook Kleinschmidt Sheets Cortez Klick Sheffield of Bell Craddick Kolkhorst Sheffield of Coryell Creighton Krause Simmons Crownover Kuempel Simpson Dale Larson Smith Darby Laubenberg Smithee Davis of Dallas Lavender Springer J. Davis of Harris Leach Stephenson S. Davis of Harris Lewis Stickland Deshotel Longoria Strama Dukes Lozano Taylor Dutton Lucio III Thompson of Brazoria Eiland Marquez Thompson of Harris Elkins Martinez Toth Fallon Martinez Fischer Turner of Collin Farias McClendon Turner of Harris Farney Menendez Turner of Tarrant Farrar Miles Villalba Fletcher Miller of Comal Villarreal Flynn Miller of Fort Bend Vo Frank Moody Walle Frullo Morrison White Geren Munoz, Jr. Workman Giddings Murphy Wu Goldman Naishtat Zedler Gonzales Nevarez Zerwas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1003 was adopted by the House on March 25, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House