Vol.1, Issue 11 - Friday, November 9, 2007

Top Story

Ike Gulas and U.S. Ambassador Daniel Speckhard

AHEPA Hosts US Ambassador Daniel Speckhard,
Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem
US Dept. of State Officials, Ambassador Mallias, Congressman Bilirakis Attend
WASHINGTON (AHEPA News) -- November 8, 2007 -- The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the leading association for the nation's 1.3 million American citizens of Greek ancestry, and Philhellenes, hosted a dinner to honor the newly appointed US Ambassador to Greece, Daniel Speckhard.

AHEPA International President Ike Gulas returned to Washington, DC this week to personally congratulate Ambassador Speckhard on his selection. "I felt it important to return to Washington in order to meet with the ambassador and discuss AHEPA's role as leaders in the Greek-American community," said Gulas. "AHEPA has had an excellent and long-standing relationship with the US Embassy in Greece, and I�m confident this will continue with Ambassador Speckhard, who has our full support in his new post."...read more.

News From Greece, Cyprus and the Patriarchate

AFP/File Photo: A currency dealer waits for customers at a currency exchange.

US Asks Greece to Take Measures Against Iranian Bank
ATHENS (AFP) -- November 7, 2007 -- The United States has asked Greece to take measures against the local subsidiary of Iran's Bank Saderat which it suspects of funding Islamist militants, the American embassy in Athens said Wednesday. ... read more.

Daniel Speckhard Sworn in as US Ambassador to Greece
WASHINGTON (Gannett) -- October 30, 2007 -- Wausau native Daniel Speckhard became the new US Ambassador to Greece during a short ceremony Wednesday in Washington, DC ... read more.

Cyprus Considers Commission's Report on Turkey Significant
NICOSIA (Embassy News) -- November 7, 2007 -- The Government Spokesman has described the European Commission's progress report on Turkey as significant, since it recognizes that last year's UN-brokered July 8 Agreement between the leaders of the island's two communities will prepare the ground for negotiations aiming at a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, leading to a reunification. ...read more.

Nicosia Municipality Ready for Ledra Street Opening
NICOSIA (Embassy News) -- November 5, 2007 -- The Nicosia Municipality is ready to handle the opening of Ledra Street, and plans to support the infrastructure of the buildings along the street have already been prepared. ...read more.

Interfaith Peace Plan Touted
WASHINGTON (Washington Times) -- November 8, 2007 -- The most senior religious leaders from Israel and the Palestinian territories announced details yesterday of a Middle East peace initiative that emphasizes the importance of religion in resolving the conflict. ...read more.

News From AHEPA

Please Take the Time to Send in your Dues!

Chapter Membership Drive
It's Fall, and for AHEPA, that means RUSH season. Supreme President Ike Gulas, in an effort to assist all chapters, has waived all chapter initiation & reinstatement fees for the balance of 2007! AHEPA Headquarters wants to remind you, in addition to submitting chapter dues as quickly as possible, we hope you'll use the incredible charitable work we do as an inspiration to friends and family to join your chapter. AHEPA Headquarters has new 2007 Membership Brochures for you and your chapter to use in your membership drives.

AHEPA 2008 Supreme Convention in Athens, Greece!
The dates to remember for the 2008 Supreme Convention in Athens, Greece, are July 1-12, 2008. The AHEPA Convention Committee has been working hard to prepare a wonderful getaway for the entire AHEPA community. The AHEPA Family from Australiasia, Canada, Greece and Cyprus will be attending our event in Athens, Greece. Thousands of Ahepans, Daughters, Sons and Maids will work together for this family reunion. For more information, or to register for the 2008 Supreme Convention, go to ahepa2008.com.

Important Notice: Supreme Convention Registration & Pricing Brochure
Within the next few weeks, AHEPA Headquarters will be mailing Supreme Convention registration and pricing brochures to all current AHEPA members. If you are not a current member of AHEPA, please JOIN TODAY!

Greeks of the Week!

Marie Strenglis Manolukas of Youngstown, Ohio
Marie loves to take beautiful pictures. AHEPA's Greek of the Week is an 83 years old amateur photographer, who over the years has regularly made beautiful photo albums for many of her friends and family members. Often the recipients would want to pay Marie for her labor of love, but she always refused them. A few years ago, Marie decided, whenever she gives out pictures, she would include a note asking the recipient to make a small donation to the Cooley's Anemia Foundation. This was a cause near and dear to her heart since her son, Ahepan Peter N. Manolukas, died of Cooley's Anemia at the age of 29. Marie's love for her son, for photography, and for making cherished keepsakes for those around her, has raised over $10,000 for AHEPA's Cooley's Anemia Foundation. Marie is an inspiration, and we are proud to call her a Greek of the Week!

Anonymous Donor $30,000 Online Donor Puts Greek Fire Relief Fund to $200,000!
This week we received a $30,000 online contribution to the AHEPA Emergency Greek Fire Relief Fund, bringing the fund to over $200,000 for direct aid to the fire victims in Greece. This is the largest single donation our Order has received in several years and we are truly grateful. The donor has asked to remain anonymous, but we hope you'll join us in heartfelt thanks in celebrating him as a Greek of the Week!

Who's Your Greek of the Week?
There are many heroes in our community who often sadly go unrecognized. You can help. Nominate someone to be AHEPA's Greek of the Week!. Simply email a short, detailed nomination, along with a digital photo of them to webmaster@ahepa.org.