US President Joe Biden with the Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
The annual reception for Greek Independence Day took place at the White House, in the presence of US President Joe Biden or "Bidenopoulos", as he recalled his nickname and Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. The band of the US Armed Forces welcomed the guests with Greek music and played the well-known "Ikarian".
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In fact, just before the song begins, someone can be heard shouting "oops, guys!".
Joe Biden appeared to applause along with Archbishop Elpidophoros of America in the White House hall for the annual reception for Greek Independence Day.
This is a special honor that the U.S. government bestows on Hellenism, as the Greek-American and Irish communities are the only ethnic groups in the U.S. that celebrate their national day each year at the White House. This event, apart from its strong communication character, offers a first-class opportunity to the Greek-American community to convey messages to the American political leadership.
A little earlier, the American President had a very warm private meeting with the Archbishop, the Ambassador of Greece to the US, Katerina Nasika, and other leading members of the Greek-American community.
The Greek shipowner Dr. Nikolaos Tsakos with his twin daughters Eirini and Elisavet
Present at the event were the Lieutenant Governor of California, Eleni Kounalaki, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the US, Evangelos Savvas, the Ambassador of the United States to Greece, George Tsounis, the US Congressman Doug Lamborn, the State Representative Spyros Matzavinos, and Joe Biden's sister, Valerie Biden and the Greek shipowner Dr. Nikolaos Tsakos with his twin daughters Eirini and Elisavet.
In his declaration on the 203rd anniversary of Greek Independence, President Joe Biden made extensive reference to Greek-American relations, as well as to the timeless ideals of the Greek Revolution that inspired the fathers of American democracy.
The American President referred in a personal tone to the lifelong friendships he has created with many Greek expatriates, many of whom he sought out in the crowd to greet them. In particular, he stood in the first and difficult years of his political career, when the Greek community had helped him win his first election in Delaware. Looking at the attendees, he said that "without you I would not be standing on this podium today and what I am saying is certainly not an exaggeration".
President Joe Biden's speech
"Your Eminence, thank you very much. I should start by saying that the only reason I stand here in front of you today is because of the Greek community. This is not an exaggeration. I won my election as a 29-year-old senator with just 3,100 votes, as my sister Valerie, who is here, and who ran my campaign, will tell you. I was coming from Delmar, Delaware, checking all polling stations on Election Day that November '72. And I was losing. And I entered Wilmington. One of the things I learned early on was that I had a very close relationship with the Greek-American community and the church there. And I think if there were... I forget the exact number of votes, but I think every Greek-American in Delaware voted for me. By the way, as some in Delaware will tell you, that's where I got a nickname that I'm very proud of. I'm Joe Bidenopoulos. That's a nickname I got. So, thank you, Your Eminence, for this introduction and for reminding us of the core values that unite Greece and America.
Welcome to the White House, everyone. This is your home, and you are one of the reasons why I say I am here and why this is your home here. Today, we celebrate 203 years of Greek independence and celebrate the bonds of friendship between Greece and the United States that extend even further. Our experience with the people inside this room embodies these bonds. We have proud Greek-Americans here who are active in the world of science, journalism, academia, finance, as well as small business owners, religious leaders, and public employees from across America. And together they truly reflect the breadth of the contribution the Greek-American community makes to communities every day across the country and across the nation. I want to welcome Eleni who is here. She is the lieutenant governor of California. But before, she was an ambassador in the Obama-Biden administration. Anyone who could take care of the problems in Hungary at that time can manage anything. And we also welcome the ambassadors from Greece and Cyprus who are also here. As well as the United States ambassador to Greece, an old friend of mine who I asked to become ambassador. I hope George Tsounis will forgive me, but he is doing a great job. The president of the University of Delaware who happens to be a Greek-American standing right in front of me here. And I look and see some old friends out there, like Andy and Mike Manato. Guys, go way back with me. You're one of the reasons I'm here, actually. This is not an exaggeration. I am not exaggerating all this. You are the reason I got here.
By the way, he's not here today, but I just spoke on the phone with an old friend of mine who celebrates his birthday elsewhere with his grandchildren, my friend, Father Alex, from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. And by the way, we have traveled together the country and the world, including Greece. And on more than one occasion, I visited Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is a great friend and a great man. Remember, (the Ecumenical Patriarch) had a little problem in another country. We made it clear that if it is not taken care of quickly, there may be problems with the United States. And two years ago, I was very proud to give Father Alex the Presidential Medal of Freedom. You know, my friends, my sister and I have been looking forward to this reception all year. And some of you know that I have found lifelong friends and mentors within this community.
I found inspiration in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which has been a voice of social justice for decades. You know, I'm an Irish American. I know this shocks you all, but we have, I felt, a deep kinship with the Greek-American community. So many grandparents, so many great-grandparents set out for America like my ancestors did. They continued to build good lives for themselves, even more important, a good future for their families. And so many of the values that I grew up with, the values that my Greek-American friends grew up with, like treating everyone with dignity. My dad used to say, you know, Joe, a job is so much more than a salary. It's for your dignity. It is a matter of respect. It's about treating everyone with dignity, no matter who they are, working hard, dreaming big, never forgetting where you come from, and always taking pride in your family, your community, your heritage, and above all pride in the great country we share together.
And that's who we are. We are friends. For me, this reflects the relationship between Greece and the United States. America is the only country on earth based on an idea. Every other country is based on ethnicity, geography, religion and other characteristics. But America is based on a simple idea, actually. We don't rely on geography, we rely on an idea. We believe that these truths are self-evident, that all men and women are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. You know that all of us have the right to be treated with decency, dignity and respect throughout our lives. And we must always defend democracy because it is the vehicle that allows all this to happen and makes it possible. And you all know where this idea came from, the democracy that was born. In Greece millennia ago, where some of the greatest thinkers of world history conceived the concept of us humans.
This is where we came from, that as the people and as a municipality we can and must control our own destiny. In my view, it is the precious gift that Greece has given to the world. And this gift can give birth to our nation, and it gave birth to it. America's founders studied ancient Greek thinkers and leaders. Our revolution in 1776 was inspired, literally, not just often, by their ideas. I know we always say that, but I wonder if we really fully and utterly appreciate this fact. Forty-five years later, Greek patriots fought for their own independence, inspired by America's quest for freedom. And that's why the anniversary of Greece's independence is a special day in America as well. Our nations are connected. We have common values, common ambitions and a common belief in what is possible. I was once asked something by Xi Jinping when I was traveling with him for 17,000 miles and we were over the Tibetan plateau. He looked at me and said, can you define America? And I could say the same if he asked me to define Greece. I said, yes, a word. And I mean it honestly, it's recorded. I said the word possibilities. We believe that anything is possible.
When we, the people, gather for the common good, the bonds between us are rooted in our history, but they are very much alive today in this very room. Together, we keep these bonds alive. The people of Greece, the people of the United States, did not just inherit democracy. We must defend it. And this is just as important today as it was then. And this is not an exaggeration. So I want to thank you all for being here to celebrate freedom. I want to thank you for your commitment to realizing in our time the ideals that sparked our two nations' struggle for independence more than 200 years ago. And may both Greece and the United States continue to keep the lamp of democracy lit so that we can always serve it as a beacon of hope for the world."
The speech of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America:
"Once again, you honor the Greek-American people of America in the most extraordinary way, with the annual celebration of Greek Independence Day here at the White House. As always, we are honored by the prestige of this celebration, and on behalf of everyone, thank you for continuing this wonderful tradition that recognizes the Greek roots of democracy. In addition to these democratic ideals, which are sadly missing worldwide, we are here to recognize and remember those whose devotion to the concepts of freedom and democracy cost them the highest price of all – their lives: The Immortal Heroes of 1821, who did just like the heroes of 1776 and every generation who were willing to make "such a great sacrifice on the altar of freedom." We say "their eternal memory" for all our brave fighters who fought for peace and justice.
Mr. President, you have long been a close and trusted friend of our Greek-American family and we now consider you one of us, already in those early days in Wilmington. But you are much more than just a dear friend. As the President of our great country, you lead the world in defense of the freedom and sovereignty of nations. You are still the leading defender on the issue of our Ukrainian brothers, who continue to fight two years later for their lives against the unjust and inhumane invasion of their land. You continue to stand with Ukraine and therefore we are truly very grateful for your unbroken and unwavering support. Also, as sons and daughters of the Mother Church of Constantinople, whose longest-serving leader in its history, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, considers you, Mr. President, as a dear friend, we thank you for your unwavering support to the spiritual mission of our Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Mr President, thank you for your commitment to Greece and Cyprus, and we call for a just and peaceful solution for this island nation that has been traumatised by the brutal invasion and division of its country for half a century. We call for a solution that complies with international law and order, based on the rules. We are on your side, Mr President, just as you are on the side of democracy and freedom. God bless you, Mr. President, along with the first lady, your family, and our nation's armed forces, with health, longevity, His lasting grace and His invincible power. Long live America. Long live the Greek nation."
