The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading membership-based service association for the nation’s millions American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, and its affiliated women’s organization, the Daughters of Penelope, brought their public policy priorities to the attention of congressional legislators and their staffs, April 10, 2019, during their Capitol Hill Day. The AHEPA family’s Capitol Hill Day has become an annual event since 2006.
“Our mission guides our public policy priorities,” Supreme President George E. Loucas 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.”
He added, “We sincerely thank all our volunteer members who unselfishly took the time out of their busy schedules to fulfill their commitment to civic responsibility. We had representation stretching from New England to southwestern United States. The diverse geographic composition of our grassroots is our strength, and it is crucial that we bring it to Capitol Hill to convey a strong message in support of our policy priorities.”
In addition, with as many as 100 new members of Congress, the AHEPA family aimed to introduce and grow the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues.
“Our goal is to help the Caucus return to the record-setting number of Members we achieved in previous Congresses,” Loucas said. “We are encouraged by the positive responses and feedback we received from yesterday’s meetings.”
AHEPA and the Daughters of Penelope sincerely appreciated the assistance of Hellenic Caucus Co-Chairs, U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and their staffs, for helping to organize a successful day that included an evening reception for the advocates and congressional staff. The AHEPA family also thanks U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) and her staff for arranging the group photo on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
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Founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, on the principles that undergirded its fight for civil rights and against discrimination, bigotry, and hatred felt at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan, AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
AHEPA’s mission 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, please visit www.ahepa.org.