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For Immediate Release
Thursday, December 1, 2011
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Contact: AHEPA Headquarters
Phone: (202) 232-6300
Email: press@ahepa.org
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Press Release
Hellenic Issues Champion Senator Robert Menendez Joins AHEPA
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) joined the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading association for the nation's three million American citizens of Greek heritage, and Philhellenes, on October 21, 2011, announced Supreme President Dr. John Grossomanides. Sen. Menendez joined Thomas Edison Chapter 287, Asbury Park, N.J.
"We are thrilled and honored to have Senator Menendez as a member of AHEPA," said Dr. Grossomanides. "He is a dedicated public servant who has demonstrated a keen interest to listen his constituents, including the American Hellenic community. He also represents the promise and fulfillment of the American Dream to which we all can relate, and we're proud to count him as a member and a Philhellene."
District 5 Governor Savas Tsivikos, who is also a member of AHEPA's Cyprus & Hellenic Affairs Committee, led the induction ceremony. Senator Menendez expressed appreciation for the Hellenic principles upon which AHEPA was founded. He also spoke of the importance of Hellenic ideals to American society, culture, and civics. A discussion of issues relating to Greece and Cyprus also took place.
"Senator Menendez has been a longtime friend of the Greek American community," said Tsivikos, whose district encompasses New Jersey and Delaware. "We are honored to welcome the Senator into the AHEPA."
In 2008 and 2010, Senator Menendez received a perfect score, 100% rating, on Greek-American issues in AHEPA's Congressional Scorecard. In 2009, AHEPA honored Senator Menendez with the AHEPA Pericles Award for excellence in public service. When he represented the 13th Congressional District as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, he was an active member of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues.
Senator Menendez was sworn in to the Senate on January 18, 2006, having been appointed by New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine to fill the remainder of his term. Later that year, New Jerseyans elected the senator to serve a full six-year term as United States Senator. Senator Menendez is one of two Latinos to serve in the U.S. Senate. He currently serves on the Senate Committees on Finance; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; and Foreign Relations. Senator Menendez is also the Chairman of the Banking Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development; and the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Global Narcotics Affairs.
Senator Menendez joins the ranks of many public servants who have embraced membership in AHEPA, including Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Gerald Ford; Vice President Hubert Humphrey, and Senators John Glenn, Jack Reed, Paul Sarbanes, Paul Tsongas, George Voinovich, Claiborne Pell, among others; Governor Michael Dukakis, and countless United States representatives.
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Photo Caption: Senator Menendez being sworn in as member of AHEPA by District 5 Governor Savas Tsivikos.
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. To learn more about the AHEPA National Educational Foundation, please visit www.ahepa.org/education.