AHEPA Applauds U.S. House of Representatives
Rep. Sarbanes resolution passes 407-0, extends condolences to Greece
WASHINGTON,
D.C. - The American Hellenic
Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the leading association for
the nation's 1.3 million American citizens of Greek ancestry, and
Philhellenes, commends the House of Representatives on its unanimous
passage of H.Res.629,
extending the condolences and sympathy of the House of Representatives to
the Government and the people of Greece for the grave loss of life and
vast destruction caused by the devastating fires raging through Greece
since June 2007. The resolution was sponsored by Rep.
John Sarbanes (D-3-MD) and it had 15 co-sponsors.
"We
thank the leaders of the Hellenic Caucus and the leaders of the Committee
on Foreign Affairs for fast-tracking this important resolution," said
National President Ike Gulas. "The resolution allows for the body of
the House of Representatives to express their condolences to the people
and Government of Greece."
Moreover,
on behalf of AHEPA President Ike Gulas, Executive Director Basil Mossaidis
and Director of Communications Michael Zachariades visited with
Representative Sarbanes, this afternoon, to personally thank him and
Congress for its efforts to assist the people of Greece.
"This
is a hard time for the people of Greece and we want them to know that
AHEPA is working hard to raise funds and send the needed supplies directly
to the devastated areas," said Mossaidis. "The meeting today
enabled us to not only thank Congressman Sarbanes, but to also update him
on AHEPA's progress, and to brainstorm about next steps."
Mossaidis
added that the leaders of the Committee of Foreign Affairs, Chairman Tom
Lantos (D-12-CA) and Ranking Member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-18-FL), were
also to be commended.
AHEPA
is the largest Greek-American association in the world with chapters in
the United States, Canada, Greece, Cyprus, and sister chapters in
Australia and New Zealand. It was established in 1922 by visionary Greek
Americans to protect Hellenes from prejudice originating from the KKK, and
in its history, AHEPA joined with the NAACP and B'nai B'rith to fight
discrimination.
The
mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ideals of Hellenism,
education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual
excellence.
The
AHEPA family consists of four organizations: AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope,
Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena.
For
more information about the AHEPA family,
