WHEREAS, March 25, 2022, marks the 201st anniversary of the rebellion and the struggle of the Greek people from the Ottoman Empire; and

WHEREAS, The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution, was a successful war waged by Greeks from 1821 to 1831, inclusive, to win independence from the Ottoman Empire; and

WHEREAS, The celebration of Greek Independence Day on March 25 draws inspiration from one of the holiest days for Greek Orthodox Christians, the Annunciation of the Theotokos. This is the day that, according to Greek Orthodox teaching, the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear a child. Bishop Germanos of Patras seized the opportunity by raising the banner of revolution in an act of defiance against the Turks, which marked the beginning of the Greek War of Independence; and

WHEREAS, Greek Independence Day reminds us of the strong principles and bonds that the United States of America and Greece share, including commitment to the democratic ideals of justice and freedom; and

WHEREAS, The United States of Americas democratic system of government traces its earliest roots back to ancient Greece. The leaders of the American Revolution and the framers of the Constitution often drew inspiration from Athenian lawmakers and philosophers as they sought to build the new nation on the foundations of representative government and free political discourse; and

WHEREAS, Greece and the United States of America have stood together as friends and allies from the time America embraced modern Greeces struggle for independence 201 years ago. Greeks and Americans share a love of freedom, liberty, and individual rights. The friendship between our two nations is based on mutual respect, a commitment to common goals, and the sharing of fundamental values. Ties of blood and kinship also unite us: the modern community of approximately 3 million Greek Americans has established a natural and enduring bridge between our nations; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Census Bureau, over 150,000 Californians have Greek heritage; and

WHEREAS, In 2020, the state exported $141,000,000 of goods to Greece, while importing $126,390,000 in goods from Greece during the same time period; and

WHEREAS, Since 1963, the official state motto has been the Greek word Eureka. This Greek word has been on the state seal since 1849. Eureka means I have found it, and refers to the discovery of gold in the state. Archimedes, the famed Greek mathematician, is said to have exclaimed Eureka! when, after long study, he discovered a method of determining the purity of gold; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 3 million Greek Americans have joined mainstream society and began to make significant contributions as Californians in the fields of finance, technology, law, medicine, education, sports, media, the arts, the military, and government, as well as in other areas; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate recognizes March 25, 2022, as Greek Independence Day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

SR 76

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