Bill Text: IL SR0193 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Declares March 25, 2023 as Greek Independence Day in the State of Illinois.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-19 - Resolution Adopted [SR0193 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SR0193-Introduced.html

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SR0193 LRB103 31815 LAW 60427 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, March 25th commemorates the anniversary of Greek
Independence Day, which honors the beginning of the War of
Greek Independence in 1821; and
WHEREAS, On this day, the Greek community celebrates the
bravery of its ancestors in their struggles and their
relentless determination to ensure the survival of Greek
heritage, culture, and religion; and
WHEREAS, In 1453, with the seizure of Constantinople,
Greece unwillingly became part of the Ottoman Empire; for 400
years thereafter, the Greek people were forced to relinquish
their customs, language, traditions, and, most importantly,
their freedom; while many Greeks fled to Western Europe,
countless others who were unable to flee were subjected to
many forms of oppression; and
WHEREAS, On March 25, 1821, Bishop Germanos of Patras
raised the flag of revolution at the Monastery of Agia Lavra
and declared, "Eleftheria I Thanatos" ("Freedom or Death"),
which became the cry of the War of Greek Independence; this
single act is credited with inciting the people of Greece to
unite together to stage a revolution and defeat the Ottoman
Empire; and

SR0193 - 2 - LRB103 31815 LAW 60427 r
WHEREAS, While the Greek armies won many battles, they
were in danger of losing the War of Greek Independence by 1827;
it was then that Great Britain, France, and Russia interceded,
assisting the Greeks with overpowering the Ottoman Empire
forces; and
WHEREAS, On September 14, 1829, the War of Greek
Independence ended with the signing of the Treaty of Edirne,
which is also known as the Treaty of Adrianople; with the
signing of the Treaty of Edirne, the Ottoman Empire was forced
to recognize Greece as an autonomous state; and
WHEREAS, In observance of Greek Independence Day, special
events are held around the world, including parades, military
processions, speeches, and festivals; and
WHEREAS, The contributions of Greek culture on modern
civilizations are innumerable, influencing the world in every
way imaginable, from the fields of mathematics, astronomy,
science, and medicine to literature, theater, philosophy, and
democracy; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare March 25,
2023 as Greek Independence Day in the State of Illinois.