Vol. 15 Issue 25 | Wednesday, June 23, 2021
AHEPA Happenings
AHEPA's Heart Beats Strongly in the Heartland
Supreme President George G. Horiates visited America's heartland, meeting with Ahepans from Missouri, Kansas, and South Dakota. He also paid homage to a prominent Ahepan and outstanding philhellene, President Harry S. Truman.
Supreme Governor Chris Kaitson accompanied Supreme President Horiates on visits to Chapter 73, Kansas City, Mo., and Chapter 372, Overland Park, Kansas, June 16 (pictured at right). A Q&A discussion, recognition of the chapters' Life Members, and BBQ, were on the agenda.
While in Missouri, Supreme President Horiates stopped by nearby Independence to visit the Harry Truman Presidential Library and to tour the Truman home. The library contains several mentions of President Truman's participation at several AHEPA events.
President Truman joined AHEPA at ceremonies held at the White House, on Greek Independence Day, March 25, 1946. He held membership in Chapter 73.
Supreme President Horiates' travels also took him to Sioux Falls, S.D., for the Delta District 16 Convention, June 18 to 20. He addressed the business proceedings and the district's banquet (pictured at top). More than 100 persons participated. Supreme President Horiates also shared a moment with Sioux Falls Brother Robert Kolas (pictured at bottom right), who is a LIfe Member. Brother Kolas will be attending the Supreme Convention in Athens as a delegate.
Senate Committee Advances Bill Aimed to Strengthen the U.S.-Greece Defense Partnership
AHEPA applauds the passage of bipartisan legislation aimed to bolster the United States’ defense partnership with Greece by the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, June 22, 2021, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. (watch proceedings)
U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Committee, introduced S.2000, the “U.S.-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act of 2021,” June 9, 2021.
Bill: S.2000, as amended, advanced by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Read: Menendez/Rubio statement
AHEPA welcomed the legislation's introduction in a June 10 statement issued by Supreme President Horiates.
“A secure and stable Eastern Mediterranean is a priority," Horiates said. "In Greece, the United States has a dependable and steady ally in defense and security cooperation. We sincerely thank Chairman Menendez and Senator Rubio for spearheading legislation that recognizes this fact. We encourage community advocates to reach out to your U.S. senators and ask them to support a strong U.S. defense partnership with Greece by co-sponsoring S.2000.
read more
Take Action | Find Your U.S. Senators
Help to Pass U.S. House's
Greek Independence Resolution
House Resolution Recognizing 200th Anniversary of Greek Independence Needs More Co-Sponsors - Have You Asked Your U.S. Representative to Co-sponsor?
Thank you to everyone who has outreached to their members of Congress and who has 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 11 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
Athens Set to Host Supreme Convention
AHEPA is putting the final touches on 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.
Revised (5/18/21) Convention Schedule
NEW! Go Cruisin'! Learn more
NEW! Compete for the AHEPA Cup. Sign up today!
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 is available.
Greece is celebrating the bicentennial of its independence in 2021 and the AHEPA family will be there to join in the celebration! See you there!
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
June
24 | Supreme President George Horiates participates at Congressional Hellenic Caucus roundtable
26 | Mother Lodge District 1 Convention
July
26 - 31 | 99th Annual AHEPA Family Supreme Convention, Athens, Greece
August
27 | Deadline: Fall 2021 The Ahepan
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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.
You’ll Never Guess Where Hollywood Is Spending the Summer
The Daily Beast (June 21)
The streets of Sepolia, in central Athens, have been a huge movie set since early May. The Greek neighborhood where the NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo was born and raised is the main location for Disney’s biopic on the Milwaukee Bucks team captain. While it might be logical for Greek Freak to be filmed here in Greece, this movie is certainly not alone. In 2021, more than 15 international productions will be filmed across the country—the highest number Greece has ever seen. read more
No concessions to Erdogan, says US Sen. Bob Menendez
Ekathimerini (June 21)
No concessions should be made to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “without a significant behavior change,” US Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat and chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, tells Kathimerini. read more
Travelling to Greece in Summer 2021: Here’s What You Need to Know
schengenvisainfo.com (June 21)
To anyone dreaming of a seaside escape, visiting ancient monuments, or numerous islands, these dreams are now possible as Greece has opened its borders for visitors since May 14. read more
Chef Diane Kochilas Presents Athens Food & Culture Walks
The National Herald (June 22)
Celebrity chef and cookbook author Diane Kochilas presents Athens Food & Culture Walks. Of the Athens Food & Culture Walks, she noted on her website, “if you are planning a trip to Athens and want an insightful sense of local culture, food, history and music, join me and/or a group of carefully chosen experts on my new and exciting travel experiences in the Greek capital.” read more
Forgotten Heroes: The Highest Decorated U.S. Army Balkan War Veteran
The National Herald (June 19)
Greek-Americans were one of the best represented ethnic groups in the U.S. Army during World War I. A high percentage of those soldiers were also Balkan War veterans. read more
Kostas Antetokounmpo leads Greece past Puerto Rico
Eurohoops.net (June 19)
Los Angeles Lakers big man Kostas Antetokounmpo got some extra minutes by Greece coach Rick Pitino in the prep game against Puerto Rico and he provided numbers plus highlights. read more
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