AHEPA Family Capitol Hill Day a Success
AHEPA and Daughters of Penelope members brought their public policy priorities to the attention of federal legislators and their staffs during the organizations’ annual Capitol Hill Day, May 3. The AHEPA Family’s Capitol Hill Day has become an annual event since 2006.
“Our mission guides our public policy priorities,” Supreme President Andrew C. Zachariades said. “As such, we have a diverse set of legislative interests, both foreign and domestic, that reflect our programs and initiatives that serve our mission and community.” read news release
AHEPA Welcomes Congressman Coffman to Hellenic Caucus
AHEPA welcomes news that U.S. Rep. Michael Coffman (R-CO) has joined the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, announced Supreme President Andrew C. Zachariades. Congressman Coffman represents the 6th Congressional District of Colorado, which includes Aurora. Membership in the Hellenic Caucus now stands at 123.
“We are deeply grateful to Congressman Coffman for joining the Caucus,” Zachariades said. “We appreciate his service to our nation and look forward to working with him, and his staff, on issues of importance to the American Hellenic community. I commend our grassroots outreach. Members from the Denver area participated at our Capitol Hill Day and met with Congressman Coffman.”
Rep. Coffman serves on the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees.
AHEPA Thanks Congressman Frelinghuysen for Visiting Ecumenical Patriarchate
U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), who chairs the House Committee on Appropriations, and is a member of AHEPA Chapter 300, Morris County, N.J.; met with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, April 12, 2017. Among other topics, they spoke of the role of the religions of the world to bring about peace rather than inhibit it.
“We sincerely thank Congressman Frelinghuysen for including a meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on his recent overseas itinerary,” Supreme President Andrew Zachariades said. “The congressman’s demonstrated support for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and vested interested to see it flourish, is appreciated.”
Spring 2017 Issue of The Ahepan is Out!
Hot off the electronic press! Check out the newly-released spring 2017 issue of The
Ahepan! Share it with family and friends by forwarding this electronic version.
Ahepan! Share it with family and friends by forwarding this electronic version.
Read about the legacy of the Greek railroad workers of Oregon and Southern Washington, AHEPA’s ongoing collaboration with American Jewish organizations, and one veteran’s special day in Nebraska. This issue also includes a Supreme Convention registration form. Finally, don’t forget to catch-up on the latest ways AHEPA chapters are giving back through community service.
Few Spots Remain | Journey to Greece
Study abroad this summer and earn 6 college credits in Greece. AHEPA, in partnership with Webster University, is sponsoring 20 students to visit locations like Athens, Delphi, Meteora, Hosios Loukas, Arachova, and Crete — all while earning college credits!
Deadline Extended: Apply Today
Watch & Share: Journey to Greece Promo Video
More Info: Click Here
Rebuild St. Nicholas Campaign
AHEPA is determined to meet its Saint Nicholas Capital Campaign fund raising goal of $1 million. Donations–large and small–keep pouring in for AHEPA’s #RebuildStNicholas capital campaign.
NEW | Thank you to AHEPA Goodfriendship Chapter 63, Akron, Ohio, for its $1,600 donation to help #RebuildStNicholas! Much appreciated, Brothers!
#RebuildStNicholas campaign webpage
Check Out: Our panel of donors
TAKE ACTION!
Has your district or chapter organized a fundraiser for the campaign to #RebuildStNicholas? Take action and support AHEPA’s campaign today! Please tweet about your fundraising activity by using #RebuildStNicholas to share your work with the broader community!
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St. Nicholas Appeal Video
AHEPA has produced its latest appeal video to help #RebuildStNicholas.
TAKE ACTION: Donate Today!
MORE TO SHARE: Initial appeal video released at the 94th Grand Banquet!
Project Update
Live Webcam!
Thanks to a live webcam, you can watch progress being made with a first-hand look at the site where Saint Nicholas National Shrine will be build.
Washington Update
Tell Congress to Back the Return of the Parthenon Marbles
AHEPA commends the introduction of H.Con.Res.51, a bipartisan, concurrent resolution that expresses the sense of Congress that the Parthenon Marbles should be returned to Greece. U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ) introduced the resolution, May 2.
“We commend and thank Representatives Maloney, Bilirakis, and Payne for introducing a resolution that aims to make whole not just our Hellenic history, but the history of humankind,” Supreme President Andrew C. Zachariades said. “Returning the Parthenon Marbles is just because as the resolution states, ‘…the Parthenon is a universal symbol of culture, democracy, and freedom,’ and the U.S. Congress would be right to formally call for their return. AHEPA and the Daughters of Penelope back the resolution and will work to garner support. We encourage the community to help.”
“The Parthenon marbles are some of Greece’s greatest examples of artistic expression and beauty, and should be on display in their country of origin,” said Rep. Maloney. “They are vital pieces of Greek history that belong to the Greek people. The people of Greece as well as the visitors who travel from all around the world to experience the magnificence of the Acropolis should be able to enjoy the Marbles. This resolution calls upon Great Britain to finally return these treasures to their rightful home.”
“Art provides a window into history and is the ultimate freedom of expression,” said Rep. Bilirakis. “The Parthenon Marbles were made by the citizens of Athens under the direction of renowned artist Phidias to celebrate the pride and majesty of the City of Athens. To not house and view these citizen contributions in the city they were originally intended does a disservice not only to the people of Athens, but also to the civilization that paved the path for modern democracy and freedom. I sincerely hope to see these original works and other important elements of Hellenic history finally returned to their rightful owner for future generations of proud Greeks to enjoy.”
“The Parthenon Marbles are a national symbol and source of pride for Greece,” said Congressman Payne, Jr. “These sculptures were taken from Greece, and that is where they belong. Great Britain should do the right thing and reunify the Parthenon temple’s treasures in their homeland.”
It’s a New Congress! Help Grow the Hellenic Caucus!
The 115th Congress is well underway. And with it, the work renews for the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, led by Co-chairs U.S. Reps. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL) and Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY). The Hellenic Caucus begins the 115th Congress with 123 members.
Is your U.S. representative a member of the Hellenic Caucus? Click here to find out.
Download & Share: Action alert to help you outreach to Congress
The Hellenic Caucus has been an active, bipartisan group in Congress since its founding in 1995.
Upcoming Events & Deadlines
May
21 | AHEPA Day
22 | AHEPA Wreath-laying Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
July
25-29 | AHEPA Family 95th Supreme Convention, Orlando, Fla.
Greek American News Digest
Editor’s Note: Editorials, Commentaries, and Opinion pieces are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members.
Greek debt relief ‘closer than ever’ but creditors must act, Greek prime minister says
Reuters (May 9)
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras kept up his demand for debt relief from international lenders on Tuesday, saying Athens was close to securing a solution to ease its debt mountain but that creditors must meet there commitments.Greece wants to wrap up negotiations with the lenders — the European Union and International Monetary Find — on reforms and on debt relief this month. read more
Full text of draft preliminary agreement between Greece, creditors
Ekathimerini (May 9)
The full text of the draft preliminary agreement between Greece and its creditors has been obtained by German finance newspaper Handelsblatt. The 53-page document lists all 140 prior actions that the Greek government must carry out by the May 22 Eurogroup meeting. read more
Number of Chinese Tourists Visiting Greece to Rise 10-Fold
Bloomberg (May 9)
Fosun International Ltd., the Chinese conglomerate that’s part of a venture to transform the former Athens airport site into one of the biggest real-estate projects in Europe, is now turning its attention to Greek tourism.Fosun wants to use its stake in tour operator Thomas Cook Group Plc to start building vacation packages specifically for the vast Chinese market, Senior Vice President Jim Jiannong Qian said in a May 4 interview in Athens. The Chinese government predicts 1.5 million of its citizens will start vacationing in Greece in the medium term. read more
In Athens, an unexpected Greek renaissance
Travel + Leisure (May 4)
Despite the hardships it has weathered recently — from economic calamity to the refugee crisis — this ancient city is an astonishingly fun place to be right now, thanks to the young artists, dreamers, and entrepreneurs who have taken matters into the their own hands and started building the Athens they want to live in. read more
Surviving the crisis with Greek olives
Deutsche Welle (May 9)
As an exporter of olives and olive oil, the Greek cooperative GAEA has sailed through the economic crisis. They receive 82 percent of their revenue from abroad. The key to their success – joining forces. watch video
Cyprus: Turkey’s gas search ‘threats’ could sink peace talks
Associated Press (May 9)
The spokesman for Cyprus’ government says Turkey’s “threats” to prevent oil and gas exploration off the ethnically divided island could be designed to scuttle ongoing reunification talks. read more
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