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AHI Advances Its Policy Agenda in Series of Capitol Hill Meetings

NO. 29

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) held more than 20 meetings on Capitol Hill over a three-week span as it worked to advance the Institute’s public policy agenda during the second quarter of 2019.

The policy agenda included: U.S.-Greece defense cooperation, S.1102/H.R.2913, the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019, and religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate.  Of the 28 co-sponsors of H.R.2913, AHI met with 16 of their offices.

“We provided an overview of our public policy agenda and discussed the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean as they pertain to U.S. interests in the region,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “We appreciated their time and interest in policies that are of importance to the Greek American community.”

AHI representatives who participated at the meetings varied but were comprised of President Larigakis, AHI Board Member Nicholas G. Karambelas, Esq., and AHI Legislative Director Elias Gerasoulis.

Meetings

A meeting was held with U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-IA), and separately, with Rep. King’s staff.

Further, AHI, together with AHEPA representatives, met with Senate Foreign Relations Committee professional staff for Ranking Member Robert Menendez (D-NJ).

Additionally, AHI meetings were held with the following staff from congressional offices:

  • U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), member, Senate Appropriations Committee

  • ·U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), co-chair, Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues

  •  U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, co-chair, Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues

  • U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs

  •  U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD)

  • U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL), member, House Appropriations Committee

  • U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH)

  •  U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs

  • U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs

  • U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs

  • U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs

  • U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs

  • U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), member, House Appropriations Committee

  • U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), House Appropriations Committee

  • U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), House Appropriations Committee

  • U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)

  • U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL)

  • U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA)

  • U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX)

  • U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)

  • U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III (D-MA)

  • U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-NY)

  • U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ)

  •  U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)

  • U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ)

  •  U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ)

  • U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL)