By Bonnen H.C.R. No. 224 77R10478 MMS-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, March 25, 2001, marks the 180th anniversary of the 1-2 start of the revolution that freed the Greek people from Ottoman 1-3 rule; and 1-4 WHEREAS, In designing a democratic government for the United 1-5 States, the founding fathers drew on the political experience and 1-6 philosophy of ancient Greeks, who vested the supreme power in the 1-7 people; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Greeks played a role in the Texas Revolution; 1-9 Colonel Francisco Garay, a Greek serving in the Mexican army, is 1-10 credited with saving the lives of Texan soldiers during the 1-11 massacre at Goliad; after Texas won its independence from Mexico in 1-12 1836, it based its government during the period of the republic on 1-13 Greek democratic principles; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Greek influence on and contributions to the history, 1-15 culture, and economy of Texas have grown steadily since the period 1-16 from 1890 to 1910, when most Greeks immigrated to the United 1-17 States; today the number in Texas of Greek Americans or those who 1-18 are of Greek descent has grown to more than 30,000; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Texas Greeks remain proud of their religious and 1-20 cultural heritage and of the legacy of the ancient Greek 1-21 civilization; the governor of the State of Texas first recognized 1-22 March 25 as Greek Independence Day in 1943, and the event remains 1-23 important in many Texas communities, where those of Greek ancestry 1-24 mark the day in homes, churches, and community centers with feasts, 2-1 costumed dances, and religious services; and 2-2 WHEREAS, It is fitting that all Texans should join Greek 2-3 Americans in celebrating this historic date and in reaffirming the 2-4 democratic vision that gave birth to our two great nations; now, 2-5 therefore, be it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-7 hereby recognize March 25, 2001, as Greek Independence Day and that 2-8 it honor the important role the Greek people have played in the 2-9 annals of the Lone Star State.