AHEPA welcomes bipartisan outcry on Turkey's reported missile system test

 

Vol. 14 Issue 42 | Wednesday, October 21, 2020 AHEPA E-News AHEPA welcomes bipartisan outcry on Turkey's reported missile system test AHEPA welcomes bipartisan calls from Congress's leaders on foreign policymaking for the Administration to take action on Turkey due to Turkey's reported test of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), ranking member, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, issued a strong statement that "Turkey must be sanctioned immediately for its purchase and use of this system" by the Administration. Senator Menendez's statement falls in line with his series of questioning of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about Turkey's acquisition of the S-400s during a July hearing. | Also: AHEPA's July letter to Senate Foreign Relations Committee The Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, U.S. Senator James Risch (R-ID) also issued a statement calling Turkey's reported test of the missile system, "unacceptable behavior from a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally" and for President Erdogan to be held accountable for his actions during the past several years. (Chairman Risch pictured above with Supreme President Horiates.) On the House side, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-TX) issued a joint statement that also made it clear that Turkey's acquisition of the S-400s is sanctionable under U.S. law and "the Administration must impose these sanctions." In addition, Chairman Engel (pictured at right with Supreme President Horiates), and U.S. Rep. William Keating (D-MA), who chairs the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment, called upon the Administration to increase pressure to push back against Turkey’s continued regional aggression and undemocratic behavior in a letter to Secretary of State Pompeo. They also urged for the Administration to impose sanctions on Turkey for its acquisition of the S-400s. "We sincerely thank the heads of Congress's foreign policymaking committees for keeping the bipartisan pressure on to hold Turkey accountable for its aggression and egregious provocations that violate international law and U.S. law, in case of its acquisition of the S-400 missile defense system," Horiates said. "Turkey continues to prove on a daily basis that it is a failed NATO partner and it does not act in anyone's best interest. We reiterate our call for the Administration and other international bodies to sanction Turkey." AHEPA condemns latest spate of anti-Semitic attacks in Greece AHEPA strongly condemns the latest spate of anti-Semitic attacks of vandalism that desecrated several Jewish monuments in Greece, including the Thessaloniki Holocaust Memorial, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. "We condemn in the strongest terms the recent series of anti-Semitic attacks in Greece," Horiates said. "Simply stated, these acts are unacceptable as are all forms of anti-Semitism or hate speech toward any individual, group or community. We stand with the Jewish community and call for the perpetrators of these heinous acts to be brought to justice by the authorities in a swift manner." AHEPA welcomes U.S. Rep. Raskin joining the Congressional Hellenic Caucus AHEPA welcomes the news that U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) has joined the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. "We sincerely thank Congressman Raskin for joining the Hellenic Caucus," Horiates said. "We look forward to working with him and his staff on issues of importance to the Greek American community. We also thank Brother Comninos for his grassroots outreach to the congressman's office." Supreme President Horiates and Brother Comninos, who is a constituent of Congressman Raskin and District 3 warden, met with Congressman Raskin's staff and asked for the congressman to join the caucus. Congressman Raskin, who represents Maryland's 8th Congressional District, is also a member of the Congressional Hellenic Israeli Alliance (CHIA). The bipartisan-supported Hellenic Caucus stands at 114 members. The Ahepan is live! Hot off the electronic press! The fall 2020 edition of The Ahepan is live! This jam-packed issue features coverage of "AHEPA Live! 2020," AHEPA-backed COVID-19 research, Hagia Sophia, and AHEPA's mobilization to address Turkey's provocations. And catch all the latest news from districts and chapters from across the AHEPA's global domain, AHEPA's Housing and National Educational Foundation programs! AHEPA voter awareness materials Since 1922, AHEPA has promoted good citizenship and civic responsibility through public service. November 3, 2020 is Election Day. Exercise the right to vote your conscience on issues affecting all of us as American Citizens and as members of the Hellenic American Community.   The most sacred right we have as citizens is the right to vote. Voting is the language with which democracy is spoken. In the spirit of civic responsibility, we are encouraging our chapters to advocate that community members go and cast their votes, volunteer to assist at your polling places, or perhaps help those individuals who may need a lift to the polls. As part of AHEPA's voter education effort, AHEPA released its 2020 Congressional Info-Card for the 116th Congress on the public policy priorities of the American Hellenic community. “Because the success of government depends on an engaged and educated citizenry, we are proud to provide the community with this helpful informational or educational tool,” Supreme President George G. Horiates said. “We encourage the community to utilize it and share it with family, friends, and colleagues.” read news release Info-Card | U.S. House of Representatives Info-Card | U.S. Senate Greece Is the Word in 2021 Athens Supreme Convention info released AHEPA is preparing for the 99th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention to be held in Athens, Greece, July 25 to 31, 2021. The official convention hotel will be the Hotel Grande Bretagne. Greece will be celebrating the bicentennial of its independence in 2021 and the AHEPA family will be there to join in the celebration! See you there! learn more Dr. Mazis appointed to AHEPA Geopolitical Committee Supreme President George G. Horiates announced the appointment of Dr. Ioannis Mazis to the newly created AHEPA Geopolitical Committee. Dr. Mazis, a member of HJ-40, Psychiko, Greece, will represent the Athens jurisdiction on the committee. "We are excited to welcome Dr. Mazis to the committee," Supreme President Horiates said. "We are confident he will be an asset, and we look forward to his contributions as Greece's geopolitical importance continues to increase." AHEPA mobilizes against Turkey's provocations In a September memo to organizational leaders, Supreme President George G. Horiates provided instruction for Ahepans to mobilize against Turkey's provocations. Turkey has escalated tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean to dangerous levels not seen since 1996 through violations of international norms and international and U.S. law, Horiates writes in the memo. "Turkey’s actions are not only illegal, but they are not in the best interests of the United States and place lives unnecessarily in harm’s way," Horiates states. The memo recaps actions taken by AHEPA to address Turkey's provocations and how Ahepans, and by extension, the community, can help going forward. "We stand ready to assist you with this most important mobilization to address this pressing matter that threatens NATO ally, Greece; strategic partner, Cyprus; and U.S. interests in the region, overall," Horiates concludes. Mobilization Tool Kit Memo to AHEPA Leaders Template Letter to Public Officials Talking Points Boycott Turkey Info Sheet AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund opened for natural disasters Hurricane Delta is the latest in a slew of storms to ravage the Gulf Coast AHEPA has opened its Emergency Relief Fund to provide assistance to the victims of the wildfires that are devastating California and a slew of hurricanes and tropical storms, most recently, Hurricane Delta, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates (view video). “These natural disasters have caused widespread devastation affecting millions of people,” Supreme President Horiates said. “Our thoughts are prayers are with communities impacted by these natural disasters, and we must do our part to help and make an difference for those in need. We urge our AHEPA chapters, members, and supporters to provide assistance through our Emergency Relief Fund as we have done traditionally when natural disasters strike or most recently in response to COVID-19.” Supreme President Horiates has made the following appeal: Each chapter to donate a minimum $250 to the Emergency Relief Fund (a 501(c)3 donation), and For chapters and/or individuals to secure one (1) $500 donor from the community-at-large  AHEPA established the Emergency Fund 15 years ago. Since its inception more than $1 million has been donated from the fund to those affected by national disasters. read more | ICYMI AHEPA Housing donates $25K Donate to the AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund The Senate Must Act! View our Action Alert Contact Senators and urge them to: Uphold American values and security interests.  Hold Turkey responsible for its actions. Urge Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring sanctions legislation to the Senate Floor. The House acted. Now the Senate must. Contact the US Senate Today! Take Action: Learn More!