AHEPA Wreath-laying at Tomb of the Unknowns
A proud tradition continued in a steady rain as Supreme President Andrew Zachariades, accompanied by Colonel Nicholas P. Vamvakias (U.S. Army ret.), past supreme treasurer; Captain Demosthenes N. Kolaras (U.S. Navy ret.), former AHEPA executive director; and Colonel Ronald B. Baldinger (U.S. Air Force ret.), member, AHEPA Chapter 542, Sterling, Va., laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery, on behalf of a grateful American Hellenic community, May 22. An Honor Guard Specialist from 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) assisted them. Since 1924 Ahepans have returned annually to Arlington to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
Also, AHEPA family members from the metro-Washington, DC area will gather this Saturday to memorialize those identified as Greek Americans or Greek Orthodox who are buried at Arlington National Cemetery by presenting a wreath of artificial flowers at each gravesite and pause in remembrance of those who perished for our nation. This ceremony has been performed annually since 1949.
AHEPA Condemns Attack on Peaceful Protesters
Supreme President Andrew C. Zachariades issued a statement on May 16's brutal attack on peaceful protesters by Turkish president's security detail in Washington, D.C.: "AHEPA condemns the violent attack upon peaceful protesters perpetrated by members of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s security detail in Washington, DC, May 16, 2017. Their brutal actions are violations of fundamental rights under the Constitution of freedom of assembly, expression, and speech, and the perpetrators must be held accountable..." read more
May is Older Americans Month
May is Older Americans Month (President Trump's proclamation; Senate resolution). Did you know that through the AHEPA National Housing Corporation, AHEPA is one of the leading providers of affordable housing for the elderly through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 202 program? AHEPA National Housing has nearly 5,000 units at more than 90 properties in 21 states. learn more
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 Yankee District 7 (Connecticut and Rhode Island) and AHEPA District 27, Cyprus, for each of their $1,000 donations to help #RebuildStNicholas! Much appreciated, Brothers!
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!
Share Media
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
House Hearing Held on "Lessons from the IMF’s Bailout of Greece”
The House Financial Services Subcommittee on Monetary Policy and Trade held a hearing on "Lessons from the IMF's Bailout of Greece," May 18.
Bilirakis on Bipartisan Letter Expressing Concern for Human Rights, Democracy in Turkey
In advance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's May 16 White House meeting with President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Hellenic Caucus co-chair, joined a bipartisan letter to the Trump Administration expressing concern for human rights and democracy in Turkey. The letter stated in part: “As it is a critical moment for Turkey and the U.S.-Turkish relationship, the United States must be candid and consistent in our support of democratic values and respect for human rights for the sake of Turkey’s future, as well as the long-term interests in the region of both the United States and our NATO allies. We therefore urge you to make support for Turkish democracy a priority, both in your meetings with President Erdogan and in U.S. policy toward Turkey thereafter.”
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.
Find & Urge Your U.S. Representative to Co-sponsor H.Con.Res.51, or call the U.S. Capitol switchboard, 202.224.3121.
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
27 | AHEPA Family Memorializes Gravesites 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.
No bailout funds for Greece as eurozone finance chiefs fail to agree deal
The Guardian (May 23)
Eurozone finance ministers have failed to agree a debt relief plan for Greece, raising the prospect of a summer crisis for the single currency bloc if Athens misses a loan repayment.A meeting of the eurozone’s 19 finance ministers broke up late on Monday night, amid a row with the International Monetary Fund about Greece’s debt burden. read more
Opinion: Greece Has the Resources to Heal Itself
Bloomberg (May 23)
The euro area's finance ministers again failed to come to an agreement on debt relief for Greece. No surprise there. Hammering out the details would force them to accept an uncomfortable reality: Greece won't be ready to tap private debt markets for years to come. In the meantime, if it wants to get off life support, it will have to find a way to cut tax evasion. read more
1 village, 2 mayors: Pyla shows peace is possible in Cyprus
CBC News (May 22)
The people of Pyla possess a precious commodity — what they've got in this Mediterranean village is peace.While their island, Cyprus, is still divided into the Greek Cypriot South and the Turkish Cypriot North, Turkish and Greek Cypriots live side-by-side in Pyla, on the southeastern tip of the island.It's one village with two mayors, to represent both communities. And both men have a message for those trying to bring peace to the island of just over a million people."They have to think about the following generations," said Simon Mytides, who represents the Greek Cypriots in Pyla. read more
Cavusoglu’s stance is why Cyprus issue not solved, spokesman says
Cyprus Mail (May 21)
The positions Turkey’s foreign minister as outlined in his interview with Phileleftheros on Sunday, explains why the Cyprus problem has not been solved to date, government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides said.In the interview, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara remained firm in its position to maintain the system of guarantees and of keeping Turkish troops in Cyprus following a solution. read more
4 Young Greeks Make Forbes 2017 ’30 Under 30′ List for Innovative Entrepreneurs
Greek Reporter (May 22)
There are four young Greeks who have made Forbes‘ list of the brightest entrepreneurs on the “30 Under 30” list for 2017. The “30 under 30” list for 2017 consists of 600 young entrepreneurs making strides in their careers in 20 different sectors.This year, the four Greeks have landed in 2 different categories: Energy and Venture Capital. Christina Karapataki and Arthur Souritzidis made Forbes’ list in the Energy sector while John Melas-Kyriazi and Steve Anattos made the list for Venture Capital. read more
AHEPA donates $1,000 to Lake animal shelter
NWI Times (May 23)
A Lake County social group has donated $1,000 to the Lake County Animal Control and Adoption Center. The American Hellenic Education Progressive Association Gary/Merrillville Chapter 78 recently gave the money to Sheriff John Buncich and the shelter staff. read more