Eleni Kavros DeGraw

Please see the statement below from me and my Greek American colleague, State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-105), recognizing and celebrating the day.

“As proud Greek Americans, we invite everyone to join us in celebrating the anniversary of Greek Independence and the creation of the modern Hellenic Republic. As Americans, we will always be inextricably linked through the guiding Democratic principles of ancient Greece that inspired our forefathers to form an independent American nation. In fact, it was our war for independence and founding on democratic principles that inspired the Greeks to fight for their own freedom."

This year, with war raging in Ukraine, as we pause to mark the 201st anniversary of a peaceful, Democratic Greece and its independence from authoritarian rulers, takes on even more importance. The shared ideals of free people and a commitment to justice must never be taken for granted.

Niki I Thanatos (Victory or Death)!”