AHI Co-Hosts Farewell Dinner in Honor of
Greece’s Ambassador to the U.S.
Works in
Cooperation with AHEPA, SAE-USA, HANC to bid adieu to Greece’s leading
diplomat in U.S.
WASHINGTON,
DC—The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) a leading Hellenic-American
policy center and think-tank, co-hosted a farewell dinner in honor of His
Excellency Alexandros Mallias, ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the
United States, and Mrs. Francoise Mallias, on Friday, May 15, 2009, in
Washington.
AHI joined
with the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA),
Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE)-USA, and the Hellenic American National
Council (HANC) to bid farewell to Ambassador Mallias, who served nearly
four years in Washington.
The
ambassador was visibly moved during his remarks before an audience of more
than 100 persons that included community leaders from across the United
States, embassy colleagues, fellow ambassadors, and representatives from
the Department of State. He
took a moment to remember his parents and recounted how they influenced
his life, acknowledged the work of his fine staff and the Greek press
corps, and expressed how honored and humbled he was to have been named
Greece’s top envoy to the United States.
Moreover,
Ambassador Mallias commended the strength of Greek-Americans who, through
various organizations, have a strong presence in Washington and throughout
the United States. His comments at the dinner reflected those told
recently to Greek News: “Greece’s greatest asset in the United States
is the Hellenic American community…It is a fact that Greek-Americans,
both as individuals and through associations, are passionate about
promoting Greek-U.S. relations and the issues of Hellenism and
Orthodoxy.”
The
ambassador also gave tremendous credit to his wife, Francoise, who has
been extremely supportive of his career over the many years.
A
presentation was made to Ambassador Mallias by AHI Founder Gene Rossides,
President Aleco Haralambides, and Executive Director Nick Larigakis who
awarded him the AHI Hellenic Heritage National Public Service Award. The
award read, “To Ambassador Alexandros Mallias, distinguished public
servant and diplomat who through his extraordinary efforts as Ambassador
of Greece to the United States has fostered a stronger friendship and
understanding between the people of Greece and the people of America.”
Awards were
also presented to Ambassador Mallias by AHEPA Supreme Vice-President
Nicholas A. Karacostas, who represented Supreme President Ike Gulas; SAE-USA
President Theodore Spyropoulos, and HANC President Emmanuel Velivasakis.
The
ambassador quickly understood how the U.S. political system operates,”
said Rossides. “And he became an activist with the Congress, with the
Executive Branch, with the Greek-American organizations, and with the
grassroots community throughout the country.”
In a letter
read by AHEPA Executive Director Basil Mossaidis, Gulas praised Ambassador
Mallias for his community engagement and stressed the importance of
working together on several issues affecting U.S.-Greece relations,
primarily Greece’s inclusion into the United States’ Visa Waiver
Program.
“Together,
we faced and addressed these issues head-on, and we made significant
progress,” wrote Gulas. “However…your service here will always be
remembered for your demonstrated commitment to outreach to the entire
American Hellenic community. Indeed
the emphasis you placed on your outreach initiative truly made your stay
in our country unique and for that we are all grateful.”
“I’m
pleased we were able to stage this event with the cooperation of several
leading Hellenic American organizations,” added Larigakis, who shared
equal duty as Master of Ceremonies with Mossaidis. “It is a reflection
of the ambassador’s efforts during his tenure to outreach and conduct
people-to-people diplomacy throughout the United States.”
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