This Week For Greeks! - Vol.2 Issue 36 - Monday, November 10, 2008

A Message from the Supreme President

Brothers, Sisters and Friends:

This past week we witnessed a truly historic election in the 232-year existence of our nation. Regardless of who you supported, the one universal lesson we all learned is that our democracy is the finest on earth and that any citizen can ascend to the highest office in the land. We Greek Americans should resolve to become more united in our efforts to further the causes which directly affect us and to strive to elect more of our candidates to offices throughout the United States. In this spirit, I would like to congratulate all five incumbent Greek Americans who won reelection to the U.S. Congress and to welcome Dina Titus from Nevada who will join them in January. AHEPA looks forward to continuing its 86-year tradition of working with our elected leaders on issues relevant to its missions and objectives.

On the heels of last Tuesday's election, I would like to announce the formulation of AHEPA PAC; an ambitious undertaking which I believe is crucial in our effort to promote civic responsibility. Today's political races center around monies raised and dollars spent. AHEPA's strength has - and always will be - the effectiveness of its grass roots mobilization. In fact, many rank and file members have expressed interest in AHEPA starting a political action committee. Therefore, we must strike while the iron is hot. We must leverage our significant grass roots resources in combination with the commitment made by AHEPA's leadership to AHEPA PAC to maximize our voice in Washington. This is a worthy initiative which I feel is long overdue and will require each and every Ahepan's support.

In closing, I would be remiss if I did not call attention to the importance of tomorrow's national holiday - Veteran's Day. We are all extremely proud and appreciative of our nation's Veterans many of who we are proud to also call members of the AHEPA family. After all, it is our Veterans who we must thank for our freedom, liberty, and for the democratic way of life that we exercised last Tuesday. Please take a moment tomorrow to observe this important day, much like this fine example from our Brother Ahepans in Mason City, Iowa. And if you see a Veteran, please thank him or her for their service to our nation.

Fraternally,

Ike Gulas, Supreme President

News From AHEPA

AHEPA Congratulates the Candidates of the 2008 Election
WASHINGTON (AHEPA eNews) -- Supreme President Ike Gulas congratulates President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joseph Biden, as well as all the candidates who campaigned in this year's election. The American Hellenic community looks forward to working with the new administration and these elected officials on issues of importance to the community: strengthening U.S. - Greece relations, a just, viable, and peaceful solution to the division of Cyprus, and securing religious freedom and protection of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. ... read more.

Supreme President Gulas sits in famous Lincoln Chair, from which President Abraham Lincoln addressed the Ohio State assembly at the same spot over 140 years ago Supreme President Travel Log
OHIO (AHEPA eNews) -- Supreme President Ike Gulas continued on his visits to the AHEPA chapters -- making good on his promise to continue the caravans which were so popular last year. In this trip, Supreme President Gulas visits chapters throughout the state of Ohio. ... read more.

AHEPA Journey to Greece Class of 2008 2009 AHEPA Journey to Greece Application now Online!
WASHINGTON (Journey to Greece) -- The AHEPA Journey to Greece Program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to earn college credit while learning about ancient and modern Greece. Plans for the 2009 Program are well underway. Download the prospectus and fill out your application today! ... read more.

AHEPA Congressional Scorecard AHEPA Releases Congressional Scorecard for the 110th Congress
WASHINGTON (AHEPA News) -- Before making your choices at the ballot box, it's important to know where your elected officials stand on the issues. AHEPA has evaluated Members of Congress on their support for Greek-American issues. Find out how your Senators and Respresentative rate and how you can contact them in Washington. ... download the scorecard

The AHEPAN Magazine - Summer 2008 Hot Off The Press: The AHEPAN Summer 2008 Issue
WASHINGTON (AHEPAN Magazine) -- Can't wait for your copy to come in the mail? Burning to find out more about the historic Supreme Convention in Athens, the unstopable AHEPA All-star Basketball Team -- or to find out what's going on in chapters across the country? Well, suffer no more!
Download the Summer 2008 issue online!

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 Calendar

NOVEMBER 2008
    01     Sons of Pericles Halloween Party - Paramus, NJ
    04     Election Day - Nationwide
    05     Supreme President Visitation - Akron, OH
    11     Veterans Day - Nationwide
    12     Coaches vs. Cancer Basketball Tournament - Los Angeles, CA
    15     District 12 Fall Workshop - Hammond, IN

DECEMBER 2008
    03     Ike Gulas visits Hellenic College / Holy Cross Church - Brookline, MA
    05     District 5 Initiation - Montvale, NJ
    05     Supreme President Visitation | Makaronada Night - Montvale, NJ
    06     AHEPA Chapter 405 Ritual Initiation and Awards Luncheon - Westchester, NY
    25     Holy Nativity (Christmas)
    31     AHEPA Annual Chapter Dues Deadline

JANUARY 2009
    02     AHEPA Family Leadership Conference Welcome - Tarpon Springs, FL
    03     AHEPA Family Leadership Conference - Tarpon Springs, FL
    04     Supreme Lodge Meeting - Tarpon Springs, FL
    04     Epiphany Golf Tournament - Tarpon Springs, FL
    05     AHEPA Epiphany Banquet - Spartan Manor - New Port Richey,FL
    06     Epiphany - Worldwide
    06     Epiphany Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral - Tarpon Springs, FL
    06     Cross Diving Ceremony in Spring Bayou - Tarpon Springs, FL
    06     Glendi at St. Nicholas Community Center - Tarpon Springs, FL
    07     Dr. Monthe Kofos Tribute - Tarpon Springs, FL
    09     Sons of Pericles 11th West Coast Basketball Tourney - Possibly L A, CA

FEBRUARY 2009
    13-14 District 1 Midwinter Conference - Nashville, TN
    13-15 Albany Sons & Maids Mid Year Conference - Albany, NY
    14     Albany Sons & Maids Annual Valentine's Day Dance - Albany, NY

MARCH 2009
29 AHEPA Suffolk County Half Marathon & 5k Race - Selden, NY

Greek American Weekly News Digest

Greek Leadership Congratulates President Elect Obama
ATHENS (ANA-MPA) -- November 10, 2008 -- Greece's top political leadership on Wednesday sent its warm congratulations to US President-elect Barack Obama, following the Illinois senator's victory in Tuesday's closely watched presidential elections in the United States. ... read more.

Capitol Hill Number of Greek Americans in Congress Increased
NEW YORK (Greek News) -- November 10, 2008 -- The number of Greek-Americans in Congress increased to six, after the victory of Dina Titus in Nevada, has a "Greek majority" (two out of three) in the State's representation at the US House of Representatives. The other five held Greek Americas held comfortable victories. The US Representatives re-elected are: in Maryland John Sarbanes (D), Gus Bilirakis (R) in Florida, Shelley Berkley (D) in Nevada, Zack Space (D) in Ohio and Niki Tsongas (D) in Massachusetts. Two Greek-American candidates in Ohio failed to be elected, Jane Mitakides (D) and Jim Trakas (R) ... read more.

Bramos & Panos in Coaches vs. Cancer at UCLA's Pauly Pavilion
Los Angeles (The Hellenic Voice) -- November 7, 2008 -- We all know that the ancient Greeks believed that fate is written. Mike Bramos and Steve Panos were teammates for the AHEPA 2008 Basketball Odyssey All-Star team to Greece this summer. They helped lead the AHEPA USA All-Star team to an upset victory against the Greek Junior National Team 75-65, at the Olympic Stadium in Athens. ... read more.

AHEPA District Spotlight

AHEPA District 6 Governor Stratis Vasilakos

AHEPA Empire State District 6
District Governor Stratis Vasilakos
AHEPA's Sixth District encompasses the entire state of New York. There are currently thirty seven chapters in District 6, with over 1,200 active brothers. District 6 is also the home district of Supreme Vice President Nicholas Karacostas.

AHEPA District 6 was proud this year to have over 60 Brothers and Daughters, as well as Supreme President Ike Gulas marching together in New York City's Greek Independence Day Parade. They are also proud of their Fall Conference, hosted by the Bronx Chapter, their Spring Conference, hosted by their Poughkeepsie Chapter, and their annual Christmas party, which last year was a tremendous success.

Upcoming events include their annual Christmas party serving the children from Ronald McDonald House and St Basil's on Sunday, December 7, 2008, at Three Hierarchs in Coney Island and their annual Golf Outing in May of 2009.

AHEPA District 6 invites you to visit their website (http://www.ahepaempirestatedistrictsix.com) and to take part in many of the upcoming events you find listed there and on the AHEPA National Events Calendar.

Greek of the Week!

Brother Aristotle L. Hutras
Aristotle L. Hutras hails from Columbus Chapter #139. Brother Hutras is affectionately referred to as the "Historian" of the Ohio State House, where he was instrumental in creating and promoting the Cleisthenes (the father of Democracy) Project.

Brother Aristotle recently escorted Supreme President Gulas and Congressman Zach Space through the Ohio State Capitol, and had the pleasure of showing them a bust of Cleisthenes, which resides in the State House Chamber.

For his dedication to AHEPA and his service to the people of Ohio, please join AHEPA in honoring Brother Aristotle L. Hutras, as this week's 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.