AHEPA e-news! - Vol. 10 Issue 31 - Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Transcription

1 AHEPA e-news! - Vol. 10 Issue 31 - Wednesday, August 3, th Supreme Convention Concludes; Zachariades Elected Supreme President The delegates of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the leading association for the nation's millions of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, elected Andrew C. Zachariades, Brick, N.J. as their supreme president at the 94th Annual Supreme Convention, Las Vegas, Nev. Zachariades ran unopposed in elections that were held July 28, Formal installation ceremonies were held July 29, "It is an honor and privilege to be elected supreme president," Zachariades said. "I'm sincerely grateful to the convention delegates who placed their support and trust in me to lead this vibrant, venerable, and unique organization." He added, "This is a critical year on many fronts. Elections in the United States will provide us with an opportunity to work with a new administration and Congress in Greece continues to deal with a gripping economic crisis amid an unprecedented migratory crisis; and in Cyprus, challenging issues such as property, territory and security need to be addressed as settlement talks proceed. In addition, the need for community service around the world is ceaseless and the promotion of Hellenic ideals and our Hellenic heritage will always be priorities for AHEPA.

2 "I am excited to work with our seasoned Supreme Lodge and our membership to address these challenges and keep AHEPA on the steady path set forth by my predecessors in a spirit true to our mission." READ MORE: Election results news release COVERAGE: GreekNews Online COVERAGE: The National Herald COVERAGE: Ethnikos Kyrikas (PDF) MORE IMAGES/HIGHLIGHTS: Visit AHEPA's Facebook Page WASHINGTON UPDATE Hellenic Caucus Applauds OPIC Incentivizing Private Investment In Greece The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) recently issued adocument for investors clearly stating that the group is open to reviewing proposals for projects in Greece. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), joined by his co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY- 12), released a letter last year encouraging OPIC to make such changes. "Our role as co-chairs of the Hellenic Caucus is to meaningfully enhance the US-Greece relationship in a way that mutually benefits both nations. Greece has always been an important geostrategic ally of the U.S. sitting at a crossroads to the Middle East where ongoing hostilities threaten peace in the region. That is why it is all the more important for Greece to remain a steady and reliable partner in the Eastern Mediterranean," said Congressman Bilirakis. "This OPIC statement of policy is a welcomed sign of United States support for Greece and its economic recovery," said Congresswoman Maloney. "After attending a White House roundtable last August with Greek-American leaders to discuss

3 efforts to assist Greece during its financial crisis, I joined Rep. Gus Bilirakis in a letter to OPIC President & CEO Elizabeth Littlefield inquiring as to the agency's capacity to attract foreign investment to Greece..." READ MORE: Bilirakis statement OPIC Fact Sheet: Investment in Greece AHEPA commends the cooperative work of the Hellenic Caucus and theamerican Hellenic Institute to achieve this policy shift from OPIC that will benefit the U.S.-Greece relationship and will help to encourage private investment in Greece. Hellenic Caucus Membership at 137. Help It Grow. ACTION ITEM Help Us Grow the Hellenic Caucus! Congress has started its summer district work period. Many representatives will be in their districts following their respective political conventions for August. They will also be on the campaign trail. This is an opportune time to ask them to join the Hellenic Caucus before the 114th Congress comes to a conclusion. AHEPA asks for your help to grow the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues to newer heights. The Hellenic Caucus has been an active, bipartisan group in Congress since its founding in It is cochaired by U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). Membership in the Hellenic Caucus stands at 137. Is your U.S. representative a member of the Hellenic Caucus?Click here to find out. DOWNLOAD & SHARE: AHEPA Action Alert to help you outreach to your U.S. representative REBUILD SAINT NICHOLAS SHRINE CAMPAIGN

4 THANK YOU! Ahepans tour the Saint Nicholas construction site. 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 the districts and chapters that announced donations to the #RebuildStNicholas campaign at the 94th Grand Banquet in Las Vegas! Prior to the convention, we received $1,000from Lehigh Chapter 60, Bethlehem, Pa., in honor of Past Supreme President George P. Gabriel; and a $4, donation from AHEPA El Camino Real District 20. Visit our #RebuildStNicholas campaign webpage. CHECK OUT: Our panel of donors

5 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! Make your tax-deductible donation online by clicking here PROJECT UPDATE 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. WATCH: Time lapse video of St. Nicholas Shrine's construction WATCH: Live webcam of construction site

6 The Ahepan NEW! Check out the summer issue of The Ahepan! Share it with family and friends by forwarding this electronic version. Read about how AHEPA celebrated Greek Independence 2016 and AHEPA Sunday. Get a recap of the Supreme President's Leadership Excursion to Greece, Cyprus, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Israel. Also, don't forget to catch-up on the latest ways AHEPA chapters are giving back to the community through service. Click on the magazine icon to read it today! FALL 2016 DEADLINE: AUGUST 14 Upcoming Events September Governors' Conference, Washington, DC 24 Testimonial Dinner for Past Supreme President John Galanis, Milwaukee, Wisc. 30 Supreme President Andrew Zachariades visits District 20 November 5 Fifth District Cancer Research Foundation Gala, New Jersey 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.

7 A Greek swimming odyssey: in love with the waters of Lefkada The Guardian (July 30) I'm a keen swimmer, but have watched the rising popularity of wild swimming - in rivers, lakes and sea - with bemusement, mainly because to me, deep, cold water is plain scary. Then I came across The Big Blue, a holiday firm offering swim trips in Lefkada, Greece. Clear, warm blue seas held a different appeal altogether. So I found myself travelling to the Ionian Sea to see whether I could be converted. read more The broken pieces of Greece's bailout EKathimerini (Aug. 1) A couple of months before Greece and its lenders engage again for the next bailout review and with no immediate reform legislation due in Parliament, this is perhaps as good a time as any to take stock and ponder how effective, or not, the country's successive adjustment programs have been. The truth is that it is difficult to draw much encouragement when looking back on the last six years, which have been

8 dominated by economic adversity, political instability and social upheaval.read more US and Cyprus promote bilateral cooperation on defence issue Famagusta Gazette (Aug. 1) Cyprus and the US agreed to promote search and rescue issues as part of bilateral cooperation on defence issues. The decision was taken during the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Christos Malikkides' visit to the US which was concluded, an official statement said Sunday. read more Commentary Toss Turkey Out of NATO: U.S. Doesn't Need Civilian Dictatorship or Military Junta Forbes (July 27) Turkey's brief democratic moment is ending. The rise of Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Development and Justice Party (AKP) in 2002 signaled the collapse of the militarized secular republic created by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The failed coup

9 of two weeks ago killed the semi-liberal democracy that briefly replaced Kemalism. read more Erdoğan shadow over Cyprus peace bid Politico Europe (Aug. 2) The fallout from Turkey's failed coup is changing the political dynamic of the current talks on the reunification of Cyprus. It's just too early to say if for good or ill. The domestic upheaval in Turkey could propel this latest effort to bring peace to an island divided since 1974, and there are reasons for optimism as negotiations near their end. There is equally a chance it will sink this bid, as every previous one, to bring Greek Cypriots in the south back together with Turkish Cypriots in the north. read more Migrants on mainland Greece pre-registered Ekathimerini (Aug. 2) The pre-registration of thousands of migrants stranded on the Greek

10 mainland, a process that gives them access to the country's asylum procedure, has been completed, authorities said Monday. read more This is an electronic news service of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. For more information visit the AHEPA Online Headquarters at Q Street, NW Washington, DC Tel: Fax: ahepa@ahepa.org AHEPA, 1909 Q Street, NW Suite 500, Washington, DC SafeUnsubscribe kkozy1951@yahoo.com Forward this Update Profile About our service provider Sent by webmaster@ahepa.org in collaboration with Try it free today