Press Releases
AHI Hosts Annual Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day
Event held in Cooperation with Hellenic Caucus Reaffirms Shared Democratic Ideals
WASHINGTON, DC—The 189th anniversary of Greek Independence
Day was celebrated on Capitol Hill as the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted
its annual “Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day” on
March 24, 2010. The common democratic ideals held by Greece and the United
States were reaffirmed by several members of Congress at the event which was
held in cooperation with the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues’ co-chairs, U.S. Reps.
Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY).
AHI
Executive Director Nick Larigakis, who served as Master
of Ceremonies, welcomed the guests and thanked Representatives Bilirakis and
Maloney for their support in organizing the reception and for their ongoing efforts
in promoting Greek American issues in the U.S. Congress.
Special guest
speakers were His Excellency Vassilis Kakarelis, ambassador
of Greece to the United States, His Excellency Marcos Kyprianou, foreign
minister, Republic of Cyprus; and Nick Karacostas, AHEPA supreme president.
Members of
Congress who addressed the audience included (in order of appearance): U.S. Reps.
Zack Space (D-OH), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), who is the ranking member
of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Mike McMahon (D-NY), Mike McIntyre
(D-NC), Dina Titus (D-NV), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Russ Carnahan (D-MO), Ed Royce
(R-CA), Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-LA).
Each
of the speakers emphasized their admiration for Hellenic culture and for the
valiant and inspirational struggle for Greek Independence achieved nearly 200
years ago. They also expressed their wish for a proper settlement of the Cyprus
issue, and stressed their support for Greece over the name issue with FYROM.
During
the evening, there was a presentation of traditional Greek dances performed by
the Return to Origins Greek Folk Dance Troupe under
the direction of Rena and Elena
Papapostolou. The Greek School of Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox
Church, Falls Church, Va., sang the national anthems of the United States and
Greece.
Excerpts of remarks made by members of Congress are below:
Congressman Space: “My
family, like so many other Greek-American families, has never forgotten the strong
bond that exists between Greece and the United States. I am extremely proud
to call myself a Greek-American and that I was able to celebrate the anniversary
of Greece’s independence.”
Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen: “I was honored to sponsor a resolution,
unanimously adopted by the House on March 11th to commemorate the independence
of Greece and the lasting friendship our two countries enjoy…I believe
it is in the best interest of both our countries to work in a unified, coordinated
manner to resolve the key issues that concern Greece today, including: the name
dispute with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the reunification of
Cyprus, and the proper treatment of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as the center
of the Greek Orthodox faith.”
Congressman McMahon: “The American Hellenic Institute is the premier
organization for not only Greek Americans but also legislators and policy makers
to advance the interests of the US through a comprehensive lens. One example
of AHI’s important role in our international policies was its commitment
to helping Greece achieve its deserved visa waiver status. This year, the
Departments of Homeland Security and State heeded their recommendations and designated
Greece as a visa waiver country. Now, all Americans can benefit from this
open exchange, particularly US businesses and cultural institutions. I
also wish AHI success in achieving similar victories in other legislative areas
that are also of great concern to me – in particular, ending the occupation
of Cyprus and Turkey’s recognition of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Both
these battles are deteriorating the lively and expansive Greek tradition and
history and must be resolved at once. I will continue to be a strong voice
on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to urge for an absolute end to the occupation
and to advocate for the Patriarch’s recognition. This course of action
would not only protect Greek customs, but Turkey’s multi-cultural history
as well. Finally, I will work to make sure that a mutual agreeable name
for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, FYROM, is reached. After all,
Macedonia is Greek! Through its great history, Greece has always approached
its own matters with grace. I am particularly proud of the American Hellenic
Institute, which through its dedicated advocacy and hard work has achieved so
much and educated so many.”
Congressman McIntyre: “When I was in high school we once had
a debate on the merits of the foundations of Greece versus the foundations of
Rome. We knew the great Roman government owed so much of its indebtedness to
what Greece had taught the world about democracy and a representative government.
And in that debate, yours truly won! So we’ve been arguing for Greece for
a long time. As a member of the Armed Services Committee…We had great
discussions about Greek efforts against terrorism and your cooperation with the
United States from the point of military concerns. So thank you, thank you for
your friendship not only historically, but currently, and we look forward to
a great friendship into the future.
Congresswoman Titus: “Thank you all for being on the Hill. You
know how much it means to have you backing us when we are fighting for the issues
that affect Greece. I’m proud of my Greek heritage…I was sworn in
on my grandfathers’ Greek Bible…The Greek Caucus works very hard
together on these issues from Cyprus to the Patriarch from FYROM to getting back
our marbles now that we have a fabulous museum to put them in You can always
count on me and I hope you will consider my office your home away from home whenever
you’re here. One of my great honors besides meeting the Patriarch, when
he was in town, was to represent the country (US) in Athens at the opening of
the new museum which the president asked me to attend. Please always count on
me because I have a very strong Greek heart and you can count on always having
my support. So thank you very much for everything you do.”
Congressman Pallone: “Thank you for all you do and what AHI does,
it is really important…I do want to stress, as I did earlier today, how
important it is for everyone to be down here because we really have so many issues…Often
times when you talk about foreign policy whether it is Greece or Armenia or whatever
a lot of member’s eyes glaze over because they are so preoccupied with
healthcare and everything else. I really think it’s important while you
are down here that you meet with your Congressman and [Congress]woman and Senators
and also at home to remind them how important your issues are both to you and
to U.S. Greek relations…I was just going to mention briefly that we are
trying to get the money back for Voice of America which I think is very important…We
are about to reintroduce the act that deals with property claims in Cyprus. I
know this has been a major issue for those of you who are from Cyprus originally
or have ancestors from Cyprus because of the occupation of the northern part
of Cyprus and all the property that was simply taken away without any kind of
redress or any kind of compensation. That needs to be addressed so people can
go into American courts to state their claims to that property. And I think this
is an important part of any future settlement that might occur when Cyprus is
ultimately reunited. The other thing that constantly comes to my attention…is
the situation with the Patriarch...Ultimately, the Patriarch should be considered
like the Pope, an independent entity, property preserved, seminaries opened again
and that Turkey must essentially recognize that religious freedom means you can
practice openly. That Christian churches can maintain their property, educate
their priests and their bishops otherwise there is no freedom of religion, which
essentially you don’t have now in Turkey…Ultimately, what we would
like to see is a reunification of Cyprus and the end of the Turkish occupation
of the north…From a human rights point of view, it’s the only thing
that makes sense. We have to make sure the United States is constantly standing
for human rights, for religious freedom and not just looking out for which is
the biggest economy and who we are going to sell things to if all we worry about
is trade and military process then we will never stand for any principles…It’s
really important for you to be down here and to continue to agitate for your
causes and we are certainly going be there with you. We want to support you and
we will be there.”
Congressman Carnahan: “Thank you for what you do, building on
a strong relationship, we look forward to a great future. Have a great celebration
on this special day.”
Congressman Royce: “The architecture of this Republic
is based upon the ideals that Greece kept alive for 400 years of subjugation…All
the architects of this Republic, Madison, Jefferson, Adams, Tom Payne as you
know all spoke Greek, wrote Greek, they read Greek thought…They were committed
to one thing; the Greek enlightenment…I’ve always appreciated Hellenic
thought. I just wanted to tell you, not only has it enriched western civilization,
Greek reason, logic, poetry, it is the basis of our civilization. You are all
justifiably proud.”
Congressman Engel: “I know the friendship between Greece
and the United States and the contributions Greek Americans have made to this
country. Greece was the first democracy and the U.S., of course, we are the oldest
democracy continuously now and that’s why our countries share so much in
common; NATO allies and all the things we stand for. One of the first bills I
passed…was the Missing in Cyprus Bill, trying to track down seven Americans
that were missing and its been my delight to work with the Greek American community
very, very closely ever since then…Long live the friendship between the
U.S. and Greece.”
Congressman Cao: “I am a disciple of Plato and Aristotle.
I studied them, got a graduate degree in Greek philosophy and if you were to
ask my staff over there I always quote Aristotle…One of the quotes I have
always used with them is that “virtue is the means between two extremes.” I
believe that here on the Hill we have to regain the Greek notion of virtue…I
understand how important it is to push for democracy and that’s why I just
wanted to be with you here in your celebration of your 189th anniversary for
democracy.”
From those that could not attend:
Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD): “On this 189th anniversary
of Greek independence, let us all reflect on what we as Americas owe to Greece
for our historical ties, for the role ancient Greece played in the shaping of
our democracy, and for the enduring friendship between the peoples of the United
States and Greece.”
Click here to view photos from
this event.
###
For additional information, please contact C. Franciscos Economides at (202) 785-8430 or at pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at http://www.ahiworld.org
The American Hellenic Institute is a nonprofit public policy organization
that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus,
and also within the American Hellenic community.
1220 16th Street,
NW | Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone 202-785-8430 | Fax 202-785-5178 | www.ahiworld.org
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