LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim March 25, 2009, as Greek Independence Day in New York State,
and honoring the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of Greater
New York

WHEREAS, The year 2009 will mark the 188th Anniversary of Greek Inde-
pendence; and
WHEREAS, With the capture of the City of Constantinople, a living
symbol of Greek Glory, the Greek people were to endure four centuries of
foreign rule under the Ottoman Empire; and
WHEREAS, Rhigas Pheraios, the Poet of the Revolution, a voice which
spoke to the conscience of the Greek people, expressed their feelings in
his War Hymn: "How long, my heroes, shall we live in bondage ... seeing
our children turned from the land to bitter enslavement?"; and
WHEREAS, On March 25, 1821, Bishop Germanos, the Metropolitan of
Patras, raised the standard of revolt at the Monastery of Aghia Lavra,
and the struggle for liberation from cultural deprivation and lack of
national identity was begun; and
WHEREAS, This courageous struggle inspired and moved people in Europe
and the United States to compassionate expressions of support; and
WHEREAS, After a seven-year war and a long struggle to reach a peace
treaty, the people of Hellas were victorious ... Greece was, in 1830,
finally recognized as an Independent State; and
WHEREAS, New York has been blessed in many ways, but a tangible asset
to the State and City of New York is the presence of the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America; it is a moral compass which provides ethical
guidance throughout the hemisphere from its Manhattan headquarters; and
WHEREAS, Another great asset is the Federation of Hellenic-American
Societies of Greater New York, which continues to play an important
leadership role within the Greek community; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that we should take
note of those citizens in this great Empire State who are of Hellenic
descent and who have unstintingly contributed to the educational,
social, moral and economic values so beloved by the people of the State
of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim March 25, 2009, as
Greek Independence Day in New York State, and to publicly encourage the
citizens of New York to reflect upon the contributions of our Greek
community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York; and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Ortho-
dox Church of America.