SALEM, OR – Oregon Governor Kate Brown on March 8 issued a proclamation honoring Greek Independence Day and the historic bicentennial of 1821. The proclamation highlighted the longstanding relationship between the United States and Greece and the shared values of the two nations.

The text of the proclamation follows:

State of Oregon Proclamation

Office of the Governor

WHEREAS: The ancient Greeks developed the Olympic Games and the concept of democracy, in which the supreme power to govern was vested in the people, and the Founding Fathers of the United States drew heavily on the political experience and philosophy of ancient Greece in forming our representative democracy; and

WHEREAS: Greece is one of only three nations in the world, beyond the former British Empire, that has been allied with the United States in every major international conflict in the 20th century, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War; and

WHEREAS: Greece played a major role in the World War II struggle to protect freedom and democracy, and showed great bravery in the historic Battle of Crete and in Greece, presenting the Axis land war with its first major setback; and

WHEREAS: The government of Greece has declared its solidarity with the American people and has pledged to back efforts to combat and eradicate terrorism in the aftermath of terrorist attacks on the United States of America. Greece and the USA are at the forefront of the effort for freedom, democracy, peace, stability, and human rights; these and other ideals have forged a close bond between our two nations and their peoples; and

WHEREAS: March 25, 2021 marks the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the revolution that freed the Greek people from the Ottoman Empire.

NOW, THEREFORE: I, Kate Brown, Governor of the State of Oregon, hereby proclaim March 25, 2021 to be GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY in Oregon and encourage all Oregonians to join in this observance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and cause the Great Seal of the State of Oregon to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in the City of Salem in the State of Oregon on this day, March 8, 2021.

Signed

Kate Brown, Governor

Shemia Fagan, Secretary of State