After a three-year hiatus, we did not lose a step as we hosted a successful Capitol Hill Day on June 15, 2023!
The day began with a Kick-Off Reception that included a briefing and remarks delivered by members of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues: Co-Chairs Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Vice-Chairs Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) and Dina Titus (D-NV). U.S. Reps. John Sarbanes (D-MD) and Grace Meng (D-NY) also stopped by and chatted with our advocates, who came from coast to coast.
Afterwards, Hill Day advocates dispersed and walked the halls of Congress and met with well over 40 congressional offices to discuss the foreign and domestic policy priorities that are vital to the AHEPA family’s mission. These include: strong U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus, holding Turkey accountable for its illegal and provocative actions that are not in the U.S. interests, and strong investment for affordable housing for older adults and programs that provides lifesaving services to survivors of domestic violence and their families. The top objective of the day, however, was to work to grow the Congressional Hellenic Caucus.
During the day, the group gathered for a photo on the Capitol steps. They were joined by U.S. Reps. John Sarbanes (D-MD), who helped to arrange the photograph; Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Grace Meng (D-NY), Daniel Goldman (D-NY), and Pat Ryan (D-NY). (Photo credit: House Photographer Phi Nguyen)
On the eve of Capitol Hill Day, June 14, AHEPA hosted a reception on the occasion of the “Global Chiefs of Mission” Conference being held in Washington at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill. U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), who serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, attended and addressed the audience. U.S. Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis and U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Julie Fisher, also delivered remarks, commenting on the hard work of AHEPA. U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), whose father, Donald, also was a U.S. representative and an Ahepan; spoke movingly about his father’s legacy and following in his footsteps as a public servant.
AHEPA has a long tradition reaching out to our elected officials from town council to President of the United States. AHEPA was the first Greek American organization to meet with President Calvin Coolidge in 1923. Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Gerald Ford, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, and U.S. Senators John Glenn, Paul Sarbanes, Paul Tsongas, George Voinovich, Claiborne Pell, Robert Kennedy, among many other Senators and U.S. representatives, have held membership in AHEPA.
Our connection to our elected officials spans our 100 year history and our Capitol Hill day events, which began in earnest in 2006, perpetuated this at last week’s event. Thanks to all the members who travelled far and wide to participate!