Declare Greek History Month

Assembly Resolution No. 150 BY: M. of A. Simotas MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2017, as Greek History Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the commemoration of the 196th Anniversary of Greek Independence WHEREAS, The year 2017 will mark the 196th Anniversary of Greek Independence; and WHEREAS, The Greek people proudly trace their heritage back thousands of years in Europe, where they developed an advanced civilization unlike any the world had yet seen; and WHEREAS, Upon the fall of the City of Constantinopole in 1453, the Greek people began almost four centuries under foreign rule in the Ottoman Empire; and WHEREAS, In March 1821, the yearning for Greek independence inspired multiple militias to engage in battles against the Ottoman Empire including an incursion into Moldavia led by Alexandros Ypsilantis, and various skirmishes in the Peloponnese, and on several islands; and WHEREAS, On March 25, 1821, Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the Greek flag at the Monastery of Agia Lavra in the Peloponnese, marking the beginning of the war for independence; and WHEREAS, In January 1822, the Greeks officially declared independence from the Ottoman Empire; and WHEREAS, The Greeks valiantly waged war against their Ottoman rulers under the brave leadership of Theodoris Kolokotronis for almost nine years until a part of modern Greece was declared independent; and WHEREAS, The war of independence was formally concluded in 1832 with the signing of the Treaty of Constantinopole, further expanding the borders of a modern, independent Greek state; and WHEREAS, March 25th is celebrated as Independence Day in Greece and in Greek communities around the world, commemorating the beginning of the war of independence; and WHEREAS, Throughout history, the Greek people have exhibited an enduring sense of bravery in rising up against oppressors; with Winston Churchill noting in a famed World War II speech that "Until now we used to say that the Greeks fight like heroes. Now we shall say: The heroes fight like Greeks"; and WHEREAS, Ancient Greece has shaped modern society by originating the concepts of Logic, Science, Lyrics, Philosophy, and History as well as being the birthplace of democratic ideals, inspiring the notion of participation in government which influenced the framing of the United States Constitution; and WHEREAS, Greece has continued to enrich our culture in the fields of literature, philosophy and architecture, and has promoted the modern Olympic Games, hosting the first in 1896 and most recently in 2004; we also honor Greek-Americans in New York who have improved our community, shown love for family, and shared with us their traditions to learn and celebrate; and WHEREAS, The great State of New York has been blessed in many ways, including through the presence of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; it serves as a beacon of moral and ethical guidance throughout the hemisphere from its Manhattan headquarters; and WHEREAS, The State of New York is further enhanced by its long-standing partnership with the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies, which continues its tradition of strong leadership within the Greek-American community; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those New Yorkers of Hellenic descent for their enduring contributions to the educational, social, moral and economic principles that are so deeply ingrained in the fabric of our country and State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2017, as Greek History Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the commemoration of the 196th Anniversary of Greek Independence, and to publicly encourage the citizens of New York to reflect upon the contributions of the Greek community; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of America.