Kostas
Alexakis Kicks Off Campaign for U.S. Congress
With
Successful Fundraising Dinner
Greek
American Friends of Kostas Alexakis Demonstrate
Overwhelming
Support of Candidate’s Election Bid
FAIRFAX, VA – Kostas Alexakis, a well-known Metropolitan Washington area businessman and entrepreneur, now of Grasonville, Maryland, returned to his roots to officially launch his bid seeking the Democratic nomination for election to the U.S. Congress for Maryland’s First Congressional District. A successful fundraising dinner held on January 11, 2004 and sponsored by the Greek American Friends of Kostas Alexakis highlighted the! strong endorsement given to him by key members of the local community. Hosted at the Fairfax, Virginia home of Jimmy and Cathy Goranitis, the event succeeded in raising in excess of $40,000, far-outpacing the initial fundraising goals and expectations set by the campaign for the evening. With this support, Mr. Alexakis received a strong boost for his Democratic bid in the upcoming Maryland primary elections, to be held on March 2.
During his remarks to his supporters, Mr. Alexakis stated, “I am running for Congress because I believe that I have a valuable perspective, earned through hard work and broadened through education and experience, which can help improve the lives of the citizens of our United States and the World.” Mr. Alexakis, who has been active with the Democratic National Committee and the Maryland Democratic party, made the point that he decided to place his business career on hold and submit his candidacy for the Maryland Congressional seat in order to more actively contribute to positive U.S. policymaking decisions on domestic and international levels.
Also during his opening remarks, the candidate specifically cited the value of practical experience in government, an urgent need for improvements in the education policies that have failed to address the needs of working families, as well as more effective protection of the environment. On this latter item, Mr. Alexakis highlighted the endangered state of his own district’s Chesapeake Bay and the thus far ineffective approach towards improving the distressed state of the Bay’s water and wildlife. As the economic engine of the First Congressional District, he believes it is critical to seek out ways of cleaning the Bay by sharing the cost fairly among all who have a stake in it as they will all benefit in the long-run.
Internationally, and with specific reference to the attendees, event chairman Nick Larigakis pointed out Mr. Alexakis’ long-standing commitment to improving U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus and the candidate’s unwavering support of justice and the rule of law as a directing force behind U.S. foreign policy. With regards to security, Mr. Alexakis believes that “We must maintain a strong military to preserve our national security. At the same time, we must resolve to reject the failed ‘gunboat diplomacy’ of t! he past, instead pursuing collaboration with other nations, and remain open to discussion even with those we consider our enemies. Our current sense of insecurity is directly related to the level of anti-Americanism that we are suddenly facing. Our message of hope, charity, freedom, and the pursuit of democratic ideals has been drowned out by the proliferation of violence.”
On a more personal level, Mr. Alexakis cited his own background as a Greek immigrant who relied on a value system unique to the Greek American community as foundational to his own success story as an American citizen. These remarks resonated with the event’s attendees, many of whom had lived their own stories of struggle and success as they labored to build their families in this new-found county of theirs. Mr. Alexakis stated, “While this campaign will be difficult, it is nothing compared with the challenging journey and adversity faced by every Greek American immigrant, not unlike my parents, who sought a better future for their families and transitioned from the homeland to a life in the U.S. Many! of them came here with nothing but the clothes on their backs, with little to no knowledge of the English language, relying only on their values and each other. Despite all of these formidable challenges, they not only persevered, but they became part of the brightest of the American success stories that have contributed to the American Dream.”
KOSTAS ALEXAKIS, is married to Laura Faibish of Houston, Texas and they have a daughter, Eleni, who is six years old. Mr. Alexakis was born in Sparta, Greece. After immigrating to the U.S. from Greece in August 1967, he attended both junior high and high school in Arlington, Virginia and received a degree in electrical engineering from George Washington University. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Virginia. Mr. Alexakis also controls companies involved in various businesses, including software development, real estate development, real estate management, and restaurants. In addition, he is actively involved in the Greek American community and in the Democratic Party, as a nationally active political activist and a member of the Democratic Leadership Council. He has been an active member in both the social and political life of Maryland and more specifically the City of Baltimore.
For additional information on the Alexakis for Congress bid for
Maryland’s First U.S. Congressional District seat, or for additional
photographs of the event, please contact Chrysoula Economopoulos at (202)
285-7726 or via email at media@first-maryland.com.
To learn more about Kostas Alexakis’ background and positions on key
issues of interest, please visit his web site at www.first-maryland.com.
Interviews are available upon request.
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EVENT HOST COMMITTEE: Mr. & Mrs. George Alexakis, Dimitri Alexakis, Joanna Alexis, Mr. & Mrs. George Bilidas, James Bouloukos, Mr. & Mrs. George Christacos, Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Dimopoulos, Nick Karambelas, Mr. & Mrs. George Kosmakos, Mr. & Mrs. Chris Kosmakos, Mr. & Mrs. Mike Mpras, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Nicholakos, Mr. & Mrs. George Nicholakos, Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Patrianakos, Mr. & Mrs. John Papadopoulos, Andreas Pericli, Gene Rossides, Maria Stamoulas, Mr. & Mrs. Don Wills
