AHEPA E-News

Vol. 15 Issue 18 | Wednesday, May 5, 2021

AHEPA E-News

Kanter Presented with Inaugural AHEPA Human Rights Award

AHEPA presented Enes Kanter, a professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Portland Trail Blazers, with the 2021 AHEPA Human Rights Award, April 30, 2021, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. Supreme President Horiates and Past Supreme Counselor Gregory Stamos presented the inaugural award to Kanter, who is of Turkish descent. “It’s an honor to accept the first Human Rights award from @OrderOfAHEPA,” Kanter wrote in a tweet. “This is a huge step forward for building strong bridges between Turkey and Greece. Huge thanks to the Greek-American community.” read more

AHEPA Expands Footprint in Europe

AHEPA welcomes its newest chapter in Europe, “Ioannis Kapodistrias” Chapter located in Geneva, Switzerland. Brother Alexandros Timotheou, a transfer member from Photios Photiades Chapter CY-4, Idalion, Cyprus, is the Geneva chapter’s first president. Its membership is comprised mostly of financial industry professionals. With this latest addition, approved by the Supreme Lodge, AHEPA’s presence in Europe continues to grow and expand. More than 50 AHEPA chapters with approximately 1,400 members are active in nine European countries. Welcome, Brothers! learn more about Kapodistrias

Did You Know? May Is Older Americans Month

May is Older Americans Month! Did you know? The AHEPA National Housing Corporation (ANHC) via its subsidiary, AHEPA Affordable Housing Management Company (AMC), is a leading provider of affordable supportive and affordable assisted senior living communities in the United States? There are 91 AHEPA affordable senior housing communities for very low-income seniors and disabled persons administered by the HUD 202 Progrogram located in 20 states. The portfolio also includes four affordable assisted living communities in Indiana. learn more | Older Americans Month 2021

Help to Pass U.S. House's Greek Independence Resolution

House Resolution Recognizing 200th Anniversary of Greek Independence Needs More Co-Sponsors - Ask Your U.S. Representative to Co-sponsor! Thank you to everyone who has outreached to their members of Congress and who have secured their co-sponsorships! We've received quite a few emails of your success stories.  A bipartisan resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives recognizing the 200th anniversary of the independence of Greece has been introduced by lead sponsor U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and several original sponsors from the Congressional Hellenic Caucus. The resolution, H.Res.246, emphasizes the hard-fought struggle for independence of the Greek people, and the historic and dynamic relationship that defines the deep American-Hellenic ties. The resolution has ten co-sponsors and rests with the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. “We encourage the community to outreach to their U.S. representative to urge their co-sponsorship of the House resolution," Supreme President George G. Horiates said. "We call for the U.S. House of Representatives to pass it swiftly." AHEPA applauded the Senate's passage of a companion bipartisan Senate resolution commemorating the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence Day, sponsored by U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and John Barrasso (R-WY), on March 25, 2021, Supreme President Horiates said.

Take Action | Find/Contact Your U.S. Representatives

Greece Is the Word in 2021 Make Reservations! | Athens Supreme Convention

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. New/Updated! Reservation deadline is May 31, 2021. Revised! Convention Schedule Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece Konstantinos Vlassis (at right) recorded a special message to the AHEPA family on the occasion of the upcoming Athens Supreme Convention. Emirates Airline is the official airline partner of the 2021 AHEPA Supreme Convention. A special AHEPA-only rate will be announced in March. 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! Make Reservations | more info

Don't miss out! 100th anniversary member data project underway

AHEPA recently launched a comprehensive 100th Anniversary member data verification project, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. "We are requesting all members of AHEPA to contact us for this important project and encourage you to be a part of the Centennial celebrations," Horiates said, adding that members should have received an email with detailed instruction this week. "We've assembled the information currently listed in our member files and now need your help to confirm the accuracy of your data and fill in any information gaps." Up-to-date member information is critical in helping AHEPA promote the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism. That's why it's so important to call. Please call 1-888-827-6103 (toll-free) to take care of this important matter today.

Calendar of Events & Deadlines

May 16 | AHEPA Sunday 31 | Deadline: 99th Supreme Convention Hotel Reservations

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Greek American News Digest

Editor's Note Editorials, commentaries, opinion pieces, and articles 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.

Olympia Dukakis, Oscar Winner for ‘Moonstruck,’ Dies at 89 New York Times (May 1) A veteran of the stage who also had a long list of film and TV credits, she was best known for playing characters who were worldly wise and world-weary. read more More coverage: Hollywood Reporter "Like old times again" as Greece re-opens bars and restaurants Reuters (May 3) Greece allowed restaurants and bars to open from Monday as it took a further step towards easing coronavirus restrictions ahead of the planned start of the tourist season on May 15. read more ‘We Cannot Wait Until June’: Greece’s Reopening Gamble New York Times (May 4) In easing its restrictions, the country, largely dependent on tourist dollars, has jumped ahead of a broader European Union plan to welcome visitors from outside the bloc. read more President Biden Sends Message of Solidarity to Orthodox Christians The Greek Reporter (May 4) US President Joe Biden expressed his solidarity with the Orthodox faithful who have been prosecuted in the past and remain under threat today, in a message sent to coincide with Orthodox Easter on May 2. read more President Biden's statement After Another Cyprus Talks Collapse, Anastasiades Walking Away The National Herald (May 3) After the first round of soft talks in four years about how to reunify Cyprus fell apart in hours, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said he won’t sit down at the table again as long as Turkey and Turkish-Cypriots insist on two states. read more Melina Kanakaredes “Returning Home” in Latest TV Project About a Greek Family Candy Shop The Pappas Post (May 4) In more ways than one, television star Melina Kanakaredes is returning home with her latest on-screen project called “Greek Candy,” a half-hour comedy series that is being developed for a free streaming service called IMDb TV, which is an Amazon service available online. read more

Commentary | The Iniochos military exercise in Greece is bad news for Iran Defense News (May 1) Greece hosted the Iniochos 2021 military exercise in April, welcoming military forces from the United States, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus and a number of other nations. In addition to improving military readiness and strengthening the ability of the respective militaries to work together, the exercise sent an unmistakable message to Iran that it has failed to isolate Israel. read more