AHI Hosts 2025 Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day With Hellenic Caucus
Ambassador of Greece to the United States Ekaterini Nassika
No. 29
WASHINGTON, DC - On April 2, 2025, the American Hellenic Institute hosted the annual “Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day” to celebrate the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence. AHI held the event in conjunction with the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, U.S. Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and U.S. Representative Chris Pappas (D-NH).
The celebration featured remarks from the Ambassador of Greece to the U.S. Ekaterini Nassika and Members of Congress, including Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI), Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-FL), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Rep. George Latimer (D-NY). Written remarks were also provided by Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
The event highlighted the democratic ideals shared between the American Revolution and the Greek Revolution, the increasingly strong relationship between the U.S. and Greece, and the importance of the Greek American community. Members of the Greek American community, congressional staff, executive branch staff, students, and stakeholders were in attendance.
AHI thanks the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues and our members for their support of the event. We would also like to give special recognition to Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. (R-NJ) for his assistance in reserving a room through the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Remarks from Congressional Caucus Co-Chairs
Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues
It is with great pride that I recognize the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence and celebrate the shared values of Greek and American democracy.
Like the American revolutionaries who fought for independence and established this great republic—the 'Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave'—Greek freedom fighters began an arduous struggle more than 200 years ago to win independence for Greece and its people.
By honoring the Greek struggle for independence, we reaffirm the values and ideals that make our nation great. Democracy, freedom, and the unyielding pursuit of self-rule are principles that bind us across generations and borders.
As someone who cherishes both my Greek and American heritages, I am especially proud of the shared emphasis on freedom and democracy. We celebrate Greek Independence Day to reaffirm our common democratic heritage and to honor the enduring bond between our nations.
As Americans, we must continue to uphold the spirit of freedom and liberty that defines both Greece and the United States. As we commemorate this 204th anniversary, we look forward with hope and determination to many more years of Greek independence.
Representative Chris Pappas (D-NH),Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues
Thank you to the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) for the invitation to today’s celebration of the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence Day. While I regret that I am unable to attend, I am grateful to AHI for providing a space to honor this important day.
I am a proud Greek-American and co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus, where we work to strengthen the US-Greece relationship, honor our longstanding friendship, and celebrate the Hellenic diaspora’s contributions to U.S. and world history. On this Greek Independence Day, I continue to be inspired by the Greek people’s brave fight for freedom from the Ottoman Empire’s long occupation. As Americans work to navigate the challenges of the modern world and uphold the democratic values that fueled our own independence movement, we can learn a lot from Greece’s struggle for sovereignty, just as their revolutionary heroes learned from ours
The Hellenic community around the world carries on the spirit of independence as they advocate for justice and the promise of a better tomorrow. The parallel destinies of our nations’ compels us to ensure the rights of life, liberty, and happiness for all. We must never forget the Greek revolutionaries, their role in the fight for freedom, or the legacy they passed down to subsequent generations to follow.
Thank you again to AHI for bringing us together in celebration of Greek Independence Day. I look forward to continuing my efforts to support the U.S.-Greece relationship, our shared values, and honor the spirit of those who bravely fought for Greece’s independence.
Remarks from Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
Happy Greek Independence Day! I regret that I could not join you in person, but I’d like to thank the American Hellenic Institute and the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues for the chance to share a few words of support. I also want to give a special shoutout to my good friends Nick Larigakis, the outstanding president of the Hellenic Institute, and Etkaterini Nassika, Greece’s superb ambassador to the United States.
I’m happy to join you in celebrating more than 200 years of Greek self-determination. To commemorate this occasion, I co-authored a bipartisan resolution which passed the Senate last Thursday.
As two of the most important countries in the history of democracy, the United States and Greece share a special relationship – and our partnership now is the strongest it has ever been. In addition to our strong economic ties, as a NATO ally, Greece has anchored a productive defense partnership in the Mediterranean. Together, we have helped Ukraine defend itself from Russia’s unprovoked aggression in Ukraine and promoted security for all in the Mediterranean Sea.
As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I’m committed to strengthening that partnership. I also believe that we must continue to strengthen bilateral and multilateral ties with Cyprus, another key ally in the Mediterranean.
Together, we can keep working to ensure our collective security and bolster the economic, cultural, and the people-to-people ties that bring so much value to Greece, the United States, and all of our friends around the world.
Thank you, and happy Independence Day!
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The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) is a non-profit policy center and think tank founded in 1974 that promotes the interests of the United States in foreign affairs involving Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Southern Europe.
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