TALLAHASSEE, FL – The State of Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis shared the proclamation he issued on March 25 in honor of the 200th Anniversary of Greek Independence. The text of the proclamation follows:

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis State of Florida Proclamation

WHEREAS, the Ottoman Empire ruled almost all of Greece over the course of the 14th and 15th centuries and the power of the Ottoman Empire declined in the 18th and 19th centuries as revolutionary nationalism grew across Europe and Greek nationalism began to assert itself; and

WHEREAS, the desire for some form of independence and the survival of the Greek language was common among Greeks of all classes, fostered by the Greek Orthodox Church; and

WHEREAS, the Greek War of Independence also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war waged by the Greeks to win independence from the Ottoman Empire; and

WHEREAS, the Greeks were the first of the Ottoman Empire to secure recognition as an independent sovereign power and the Greek Revolution was the first of many that led to the eventual break-up of the Ottoman Empire; and

WHEREAS, Greek culture influenced the Roman Empire and many other civilizations, and continues to influence modern cultures today; and

WHEREAS, due to strong historical, political, cultural and religious ties between the two nations, Greece and the United States today enjoy excellent diplomatic relations and are considered great allies; and

WHEREAS, as a leader in the region and longstanding NATO ally, Greece has been an important partner to the United States in promoting regional security, stability, and economic development; and

WHEREAS, Florida has deep ties to the Greek community including, Tarpon Springs, a city in Pinellas County with the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the United States; and

WHEREAS, March 25th of 2021 marks the historic 200th anniversary of the 1821 Revolution against the Ottomans, which eventually led to the formation of the modern Greek State.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal of the State of Florida does hereby commemorate

GREECE'S 200TH INDEPENDENCE DAY

and acknowledges the important role that Greece played on the global stage and their strong relationship with the United States.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF the Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal of the State of Florida has hereunto subscribed his name and has caused the Official Seal of the State of Florida to be hereunto affixed in the City of Tallahassee on the 25th day of March 2021.

Signed Jimmy Patronis, Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal.

The State of Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis shared the proclamation he issued on March 25 in honor of the 200th Anniversary of Greek Independence. Photo: Courtesy of Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis