US Representative Scott Garrett (R-NJ) was inducted recently into the Order of AHEPA, the largest Greek-American organization in the world. Congressman Garrett was sworn in at his eastern district office, in Glen Rock, NJ, with the ceremony performed by the President of the Ramapo Chapter #453 Jim Giokas and Chapter Treasurer George Mellides. A total of 11 Ahepans were present at to witness the event.
By Ted Vittas
Earlier this year, Congressman Scott Garrett was sworn in to his fourth term in the United States House of Representatives, representing New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District. He was first elected to Congress in 2002. Garrett serves on the House Financial Services and Budget Committees. He is a member of the Financial Services Subcommittees on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises; Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit; and Housing and Community Opportunity.
The Congressman spent over thirty minutes with Supreme Governor Louis Arvanitis, Lieutenant Governor of District 5 Phil Vogis and the members present to discuss issues of importance to the Order. These issues included public works projects such as the formation of charter schools and the building of senior citizens housing plans. Also discussed were public policy issues regarding the Republics of Greece and Cyprus. The discussion on policy was lead by Savas Tsivicos, a member of the AHEPA Cyprus & Hellenic Affairs Committee and also the AHEPA District 5 Treasurer.
Congressman Garrett is no stranger to AHEPA. He has met with the chapter before and had vowed to the chapter’s VP of Civic Affairs Chuck Humblias to join AHEPA at a later time. In 2008, the Congressman was given a upper tier, 87% rating, on Greek-American issues in AHEPA’s Congressional Scorecard. He is also listed as a member of the Hellenic Caucus. A link to the score card can be found on AHEPA’s Public Policy page, www.ahepa.org/policy.
Mr. Garrett will be joining the Ramapo Chapter #453, New Jersey’s largest AHEPA chapter, boasting 135 members. It is chartered in Wyckoff and serves the communities of north-western Bergen County. In 2007, the chapter was voted the Most Outstanding Chapter in AHEPA’s 5th District. That year the chapter started an adult Greek language school that is now entering its 3rd year.
The mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism. For more information about the AHEPA family, please contact AHEPA Headquarters at (202) 232-6300 or visit www.ahepa.org . For more information about the Ramapo Chapter, visit their web site at www.ahepa453.org.
