Speech #1030021156

The connection between the United States and Greece extends into antiquity to the ancient Greeks. of whom Thomas Jefferson said. "We are all indebted for the light which led ourselves out of Gothic darknsqss." And it was to the American Revolution that Greek Intellectuals turned centuries later. translating our Declaration of Independence into Greek and using it as their own. In the succeeding years. the relationship between our two peoples has grown only closer. In the early 1900s. Greek Immigrants came to the young United States seeking political freedom and economic opportunity. In the 20th Century. Greece has been one of only seven countries that has fought on the side of the United States in every major conflict.