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For Immediate Release
Friday, September 30, 2011
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Contact: AHEPA Headquarters
Phone: (202) 232-6300
Email: press@ahepa.org
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Press Release
AHEPA Welcomes Planned Resignation of Port Authority Head
WASHINGTON - The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading association for the nation's three million American citizens of Greek heritage, and Philhellenes, welcomed reports that Mr. Christopher Ward, executive director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, plans to resign by the end of October, announced Supreme President Dr. John Grossomanides.
"Mr. Ward's planned resignation is welcomed news," Dr. Grossomanides said. "He not only dispenses the 'Red Tape' of bureaucracy; he is the 'Red Tape' that has ignored the voice of concern an entire community. Now New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has the opportunity to cut the 'Red Tape' by appointing an executive director who will be committed to rebuilding St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero."
Dr. Grossomanides sent letter to Governor Cuomo that urged the appointment of an executive director who is committed to rebuilding St. Nicholas at 130 Liberty Street at Ground Zero.
Negotiations to rebuild St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, the only house of worship destroyed in the attacks of September 11, between the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and church representatives and the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey came to a halt in August 2010.
In support of the effort to rebuild St. Nicholas at 130 Liberty Street, a site chosen by the Port Authority, AHEPA held a Ground Zero rally on June 26, 2011. The organization also submitted more than 20,000 signatures collected via electronic petition to Port Authority Executive Director Ward that went unanswered.
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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 International to fight discrimination.
The mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.
For more information about the AHEPA family, or how to join, please contact AHEPA Headquarters, (202) 232-6300, or visit www.ahepa.org.