This Week For Greeks! - Vol.2 Issue 22 - Tuesday, June 17, 2008

A Message from the Supreme President

Greetings,

I am excited to report that plans for our historic upcoming Supreme Convention are in there final stages and the response by our entire AHEPA Family has been overwhelming. I would like to thank everyone at AHEPA Headquarters and all of our AHEPA Family members in Greece who have made this long awaited return to Athens a reality. Safe travels to all of you who will be joining us.

Unfortunately, this week saw tragedy once again strike Greece in the form of an earthquake. Our sympathies go out to all those affected and we pray for those who lost life or limb. I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to support the AHEPA Emergency Disaster Relief Fund.

U.S. Capitol In closing I would like to congratulate the AHEPA for playing such an instrumental role in the passage of the Brumidi Bill. What a proud moment to witness the vote on the House of Representatives Floor and hear the commendation given to our efforts. Many thanks should be given to Andrew Kaffes for his diligent work for many years to make this a reality. Job well done.

In closing, I once again look forward to the upcoming Supreme Convention and all of the wonderful events planned for all of us while in beautiful Athens, Greece.

Fraternally,

Ike Gulas, Supreme President

News From AHEPA

Brumidi Bill Passes in the US House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AHEPA Action) -- AHEPA applauds Congress for passing S.254/H.R.1609, a bill to award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal to Constantino Brumidi�the "Artist of the Capitol." ... read more.

View the AHEPA Action Alert.

Earthquake kills 2 in Greece

AHEPA Expresses Sympathy for Earthquake Victims in Greece
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AHEPA News) -- Supreme President Ike Gulas issued the following statement last week on the news of the severe 6.5 magnitude earthquake that struck southwestern Greece killing two and injuring hundreds ... read more.

Please Give to the AHEPA Emergency Disaster Relief Fund!

The Journey to Greece Has Begun!
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Journey to Greece) -- The 2008 class of the AHEPA Journey to Greece has safely landed in Athens and you can follow their journey daily online. The Journey to Greece Blog 2008 is the brainchild and creation of South Bay Sons of Pericles President Peter Vasilion, who has already begun chronicling on the World Wide Web the daily steps of this year's class. Visit the Journey to Greece Blog for daily updates, including photos, videos and testimonials from this year's class. Visit journey2greece.blogspot.com and join the Journey today!

Supreme Convention Invitiation Video AHEPA Hellas District Welcomes You to Greece!
ATHENS (AHEPA HELLAS) -- AHEPA Hellas District has created a beautiful video invitation for the 86th Supreme Convention in Athens. We hope you'll forward this link to your friends and family and join AHEPA Hellas and all the AHEPA Family for this historic event. ... watch the video

Supreme Convention Logo Supreme Convention Schedule of Events
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Supreme Convention) -- The schedule of events for this year's Supreme Convention in Greece is exciting because of the uniqueness of the setting. Many venues will allow for outdoor activities at historic sites. We will not be staying indoors for meetings the entire time we are in Athens. In fact, tours, beach parties and performances will be just some of the activities held outdoors, so be prepared to have fun and enjoy time with your family! ... download the draft schedule of events

Note: All events and times are tentative and subject to change.

AHEPA Golf Ball Athens AHEPA Golf Tournament
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Supreme Convention) -- Pack your clubs!
What Supreme Convention would be complete without a great round of golf? Spend July 4th on the course with your brothers at the beautiful Glyfada Golf & Country Club. As rentals are limited, we encourage you to bring your own clubs and gear. ... download the registration form today!

AHEPA Disaster Relief Help AHEPA Widen Our Scope of Disaster Relief Efforts!
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AHEPA Relief) -- Recently our nation and world have faced a series of natural disasters which, as Ahepans we can not turn a blinds eye. After the enormous success of our efforts to provide relief to the wild fire victims in Greece, AHEPA asks each of you to join us now, in helping disaster victims, many of whom have been left homeless and severely injured. ... please give generously.

AHEPA's New VISA Affinity Card Apply Today for your New AHEPA VISA Affinity Card!
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AHEPA Promotion) -- AHEPA is proud to announce, through our partnership with Bank of America, an offer you literally can't afford to pass by! The New AHEPA VISA Affinity Card offers you, not only the lowest APR available, but at a fixed rate that won't change after the card has been activated -- and a chance to help AHEPA at the same time! Please check out the offer online and appply for your new card today!

AHEPA 2008 Spring Calendar

JUNE
    07     District Conventions: Dist 1, Dist 6, Dist 9, and Dist 15
    13     District Conventions: Dist 2, Dist 4, Dist 10, Dist 11, Dist 12, Dist 13, and Dist 17
    20     District Conventions: Dist 16
    21     District Conventions: Dist 19

JULY
1-12 86th Annual Supreme Convention - Athens, Greece

Greek American Weekly News Digest

Former US president George Bush is shown in a file photo attending a reception hosted by former Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos for heads of states and governments on the occasion of the beginning of the 2004 Athens Olympics, on Friday, Aug. 13, 2004. ANA-MPA / M. MAROGIANNI

Former US leader George Bush in Greece
ATHENS (ANA-MPA) -- June 17, 2008 -- 6.5 Richter tremor hits the Peloponnese -- Former United States president George Bush arrived at the Megas Alexandros (Alexander the Great) interational airport of Chrysoupolis, near the coastal city of Kavala in northern Greece, on Monday, accompanied by his wife Barbara, their twin granddaughters and friends, to begin a vacation in the region. ... read more.

PM Seeks EU Help with Immigrants
SAMOS (Kathimerini) -- June 14, 2008 -- Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis yesterday called for the creation of a common European Union policy to tackle illegal immigration, claiming that Greece is shouldering a large part of the burden due to its geographic location at the "gateway" to Western Europe. ... read more.

Other Greek American News Headlines

Kathimerini - June 17, 2008
EU discussions on Lisbon Treaty Crisis
Greek News - June 15, 2008
Ecumenical Patriarch Receives SAE Board
Kathimerini - June 17, 2008
State Inequipped for Disasters

Greeks of the Week!

2008 Supreme Convention Delegates & Attendees
As we solidify the last minute plans for this year's historic Supreme Convention in Greece, AHEPA would like to pay tribute to the many Delegates, Daughters and guests who are already making this event a huge success. One of the challenges of hosting a convention overseas is securing participation. Over two years ago, the AHEPA leadership bet that dispite the distance, that our membership would find a way to come together in large numbers.

That bet paid off!
This will truly be one of the most memorable Supreme Conventions in many years, and all because of you! To each of the Delegates and participants, for already making this a successful endeavor, AHEPA honors you as this week's Greeks 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.