(L-R) Rep. Steve King (R-IA) Meeting With AHI Legislative Director Elias Gerasoulis
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WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) held a series of meetings on Capitol Hill as it worked to advance the Institute’s public policy agenda during the August recess. The policy agenda included: providing support for the Eastern Mediterranean trilateral partnership between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel; religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and raising awareness of Turkey’s provocations in the region that are a detriment to U.S. security interests.
“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,” President Nick Larigakis said. “Turkey is a habitual violator of the rule of law. We demonstrate this fact on many fronts, from its suppression of religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, to its illegal activities in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus and in the Aegean Sea, to its unreliability as a supposed ally of the United States. We appreciated the congressional staffs’ time and interest in policies that are important to the Greek American community.”
AHI representatives who participated at the meetings varied for each one, but were comprised of: President Nick Larigakis, Board Member Nicholas G. Karambelas, Esq., and Legislative Director Elias Gerasoulis. In some cases, they met with top-level congressional staff, including chiefs of staff, legislative directors, and national security advisers.
“I commend Elias for his efforts to increase AHI’s visibility and footprint on Capitol Hill, which is beginning to show results,” Larigakis added.
Meetings
Prior to the August recess break, a meeting was held with U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleishmann (R-TN), and his Deputy Chief of Staff, Daniel Tidwell.
During August, AHI meetings were held with the following staff from congressional offices:
Piero Tozzi, Senior Foreign Policy adviser and legal counsel, for U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), member, Senate Armed Services Committee
U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member, Senate Armed Services Committee
U.S. Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ), member, Senate Armed Services Committee
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), member, Senate Armed Services Committee
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), member, Senate Armed Services Committee
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), member, Senate Armed Services Committee
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND), member, Senate Appropriations Committee
U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chairwoman, House Appropriations Committee
U.S. Rep. Rep. Mario Diaz Balart (R-FL), member, House Appropriations Committee
U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), member, House Foreign Affairs Committee
U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL)
U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN)
U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-IA)
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-AK)