WASHINGTON, DC – March 11, 2008 – Congresswoman Niki Tsongas gave the following speech on the House Floor today in support of H.Res. 228.

I rise today in strong support of this resolution extending warm congratulations and best wishes to the people of Greece as they celebrate the 187th anniversary of their independence.

In January, I joined a Congressional Delegation trip to Greece, Turkey, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.

I had not been to Greece in over 25 years and it was wonderful to see how far this most beautiful country has come in the last quarter century.

As hosts to the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece made a tremendous investment in their infrastructure and cultivated new developments which have greatly enhanced their prosperity.

My husband Paul's family emigrated from Greece to Lowell, Massachusetts when his father was three years old.

His family is emblematic of a vibrant Greek-American community in Massachusetts and across the country whose contributions have helped us survive and thrive.

The United States and Greece have longstanding ties based on our common heritage, shared values and a mutual commitment to freedom and democracy.

This measure rightly expresses the House of Representatives' support for the important role that Greece has played in the wider region and in the community of nations since gaining its independence 187 years ago.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and I yield back the balance of my time.