Male Speaker: Alright thank you
everyone very much.
(Speaks Greek)
I'm honored to be with you today as we
celebrate the 196th anniversary of
Greek independence.
This day marks the 31st celebration of Greek
independence here at the White House.
A tradition started by the
great President Ronald Reagan.
As a proud Greek-American I've had my eye on this
event for weeks and I'm grateful to welcome his
eminence arch bishop Dimetrios, father Alex and
all of our distinguished guests.
I'd also like to extend my sincere gratitude towards
to Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and
our local parishioners.
Greek Independence Day means so much
to all of us.
As we gather here in the president's house were
reminded of the values and ideals that
inspired our democracy.
The belief that were all created equal, and
government should be by the people for the people
was revolutionary concept that has since paved the
way to our prosperous and free nation.
Today as we celebrate our shared desires for freedom
sovereignty and self-governance, I can
tell you that nobody will work harder to preserve
these standards then President Donald Trump,
(applause)
In working with this president every day,
I see a president working every single day to follow
through on his promises.
I'm awed by his energy and his tenacity throughout my
career I have always been able to out work any
people around me its always been my
secret weapon.
But I must say I have totally found my match
in President Trump.
(speaks Greek) Right?
In just a few short months I think you've seen
President Trump keep is word on many fronts.
The first two jobs reports released since president
Trumps inauguration show that we've already created
nearly half a million new jobs, consumers and small
business owners alike are showing confidence in our
economy In levels not seen in many many years.
And it's because of President Trump.
The Presidents commitment to cutting regulations,
cutting taxes, investing in priorities like
infrastructure and education and repealing
and replacing the failed Obamacare is getting
America moving again.
As we find renewed strength at home our
friends abroad with find us to be even
a stronger ally.
The President knows how important our enduring
allies are, and Greece is no exception.
That is truly why it is such an incredible honor,
on this day, as a Greek American to introduce to
you, the 45th President of the United States.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Donald J. Trump.
(applause)
The President: I love the Greeks.
Oh, do I love the Greeks.
(Laughter and applause.)
Don't forget, I come from New York.
That's all I see, is Greeks.
They are all over the place.
(Laughter.)
Thank you very much, Reince.
Very much appreciated.
Reince was the most successful leader the RNC
-- that's called the Republican National
Committee -- has ever had.
And now, as my really terrific and hardworking
Chief of Staff, he has really one of the
number-one -- and I guess you'd have to say, he's
one of the top Greeks in the country.
And I know a lot of them right in the audience --
they're my friends.
(Applause.)
And the list also includes, as you
know, George Gigicos --
(applause)
-- George. George is great.
I said, make sure that microphone is absolutely
perfect, George.
He never lets me -- the Director of
White House Advance. And George Sifakis --
(applause)
-- where's George?
And these guys are with me right from the beginning
-- the Director of the Office of Public Liaison.
It's a great team.
It's a great, great team.
Can't do any better.
They helped organize this wonderful event with the
Greek Archdiocese of America and so many
local parishioners.
And I want to thank you all.
You're here, you're all over the audience.
I want to thank you all.
Your Eminence and Father Alex, it is a true
privilege to host you at the White House.
I was deeply honored to have you both at my
inauguration -- it was a great day -- and I am
grateful for your presence here today.
I also want to thank you for awarding Reince and
George the highest honor of the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America -- the Medal of Saint Paul.
To everyone in the youth choir who just performed
-- they were beautiful.
(Applause.)
I heard that music.
With such elegance and grace, you're amazing --
you really are.
Beautiful, beautiful sounds.
I know you made your parents very proud.
And you make all of us proud, right?
Today we commemorate an event that we have marked
with a national day of celebration for 30 years:
Greek Independence Day.
Very important.
President Ronald Reagan started this wonderful
tradition, and we are thrilled to continue it,
and always will.
Greek Independence Day celebrates the rebirth of
liberty for the Greek people.
It commemorates the fight for the Greek Independence
that began on March 25th, 1821.
After nearly 400 years of outside rule, the Greeks
longed to regain their sovereignty.
This love of freedom and democracy has formed a
lasting bond between our two countries.
It is a bond that has its origins in Ancient Greece
-- "the birthplace of Democracy."
American President James Monroe and the great
American statesman Daniel Webster both supported
Greece's struggle for independence.
And it was a tough, tough struggle, you know that.
Then-Representative Webster honored the role
of Greece in forming civilization, and said
that "We, like the rest of mankind, are
greatly her debtors."
In years to come, we don't know what will be required
to defend our freedom, but we do know that it will
demand great, great courage -- a courage from
all of us -- and we will show it, and I have no
doubt about that.
Drawing inspiration from our history and those who
come before, we will rise to any occasion.
We have a country that, as you know, has certain
difficulties, has certain problems.
We will solve those problems and we will
quickly solve those difficulties.
Just watch.
(Applause.)
I want to thank you all for coming
to the White House today.
We celebrate Greek history, and we applaud
the tremendous contributions of your
people to our beloved country.
May God bless you all.
And with that, I would like to recognize
His Eminence.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
(Applause.)