AHEPA’s Biennial DC weekend a great success
In anticipation of this year’s National Convention in Athens, Greece, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the leading association for the nation’s 1.4 million American citizens of Greek ancestry, and Philhellenes, welcomed a capacity crowd at its 38th Biennial Salute Banquet, on March 7, honoring those in public service.
The 2008 Aristotle Award went to Chairman and CEO of Red Apple Group John Catsimatides, and the 2008 Demosthenes Award to George Bitsis, Editor-in-Chief of the Voice of America Greek Desk. After the presentations, the honorees were afforded the opportunity to tell the attendees about their life as Greek-Americans and our influence in everyday American culture.
Another 30 Greek American elected officials who traveled from all parts of the United States received the AHEPA Paul Tsongas Public Service Award. “Everyday public servants sacrifice their time and energy to ensure our rights, issues and causes are represented across our nation,” said AHEPA Supreme President Ike Gulas. “We are fortunate to be given an opportunity to say ‘thank you.”
An international, capacity crowd, including Congressional members and staff, federal officials, and local and national business leaders from across the country filled Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., where the first biennial banquet was held by the organization’s pioneers. This year's speakers included his Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Ambassadors Alexandros Mallias and Kakouris for Greece and Cyprus respectively, Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, Former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus., Dr. John Grossomanides, the event’s Chairman, Karen Stamatiades, Grand President, Daughters of Penelope, Rick Pecka, Supreme President, Order of the Sons of Pericles, and Stephanie Maniatis, Maids of Athena Grand President.
US Congressmen John Sarbanes and Zach Space who also emceed, were among the dignitaries who addressed the event and spoke of the AHEPA’s importance and contribution to the American Hellenism. Dr Alfred Barich, District Governor of AHEPA-Hellas, who came all the way from Greece, leading a numerous delegation, saluted the banquet and invited everyone to Athens for this year’s convention, promising to be an unforgettable experience for all.
Supreme President Gulas was the last to address the attendees on the issues AHEPA has been educating members of the 110th Congress about, such as the Visa Waiver Program, Cyprus unification and Turkish troop withdrawal, the Greek Fires, FYROM and the Ecumenical Patriarch and Patriarchate. The Supreme President challenged the participants during his speech. “We can do more,” he said, an important and inspired statement addressing the standing room only crowd on AHEPA’s achievements over the past 86 years and for the continued dedication to the associations’ goals.
He concluded by congratulating “all those who were instrumental in putting together one of the best Biennial Banquet weekends AHEPA has witnessed. Executive Director Basil Mossaidis and all at AHEPA Headquarters as well as our Banquet Chairman John Grossomanides did a fantastic job and the Mayflower proved to be a perfect setting for our gathering …Many thanks to all banquet participants. Also, I would especially like to thank all of our AHEPA family members who traveled from Greece and Canada to be with us for the weekend.”
AHEPA Capitol Hill Day
On Thursday, March 6, AHEPA hosted an event on Capitol Hill. Senators Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) spoke about the issues that both AHEPA, and Congress, support concerning Greek-Americans. The discussions revolved around the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, the Cyprus issue and Turkey’s need to adhere to the principles of human rights and religious freedoms.
Following the reception, President Gulas and his Supreme Lodge went to the Capitol Building to meet with Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-9) in the Rayburn Room. Rep. Bilirakis, co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus and a member of AHEPA, has been a champion of all issues that concern Americans of Greek heritage and Philhellenes.
Friday morning, the Daughters of Penelope Salute to Women took place, honoring former Foreign Minister of Cyprus Ambassador Markoulis who in turn provided very appropriate remarks upon receiving her most worthy distinction.
Ike Gulas NEO’s Person of the Year
Past recipient Congressman John Sarbanes presented AHEPA Supreme President Ike Gulas with the 2008 NEO Magazine Person of the Year Award at this year’s Biennial Banquet.
“Ike Gulas took up the reins of AHEPA this year as Supreme President and with his equally youthful Supreme Lodge has already galvanized the venerable 85-year-old institution with new energy and purpose,” Congressman Sarbanes read from the tribute to the honoree. “He takes up the torch from his 84-year-old father, who was a pioneer of the Birmingham, Alabama chapter and a visionary in his own right. Because Ike Gulas represents the very best of both generations and is a model for his own, he was this year’s choice for the 2008 NEO Magazine Person of the Year.”
Mr. Gulas was presented a framed cover of the Person of the Year issue by Rep. Sarbanes, along with NEO Publishing Committee Chairman Dimitri Rhompotis and the magazine’s Marketing and Advertising Director, Kyprianos Bazenikas.
“Ike Gulas represents the new generation of leader, not only in AHEPA, but also in the Greek American community,” said NEO Editor-in-Chief Dimitri Michalakis in the magazine’s editorial. “He is both loyal to the ideals of the old generation and honors them, and yet a champion of a new vision and a new way of doing things and making thing possible. He is building on the legacy that was his and leaving a new legacy for his own children.”
Past recipients of the award, besides Rep. Sarbanes, include Eleni and Markos Kounalakis, the powerhouse Sacramento couple who have given generously both to charity and to a number of political and civic causes.
