A Message from the Supreme President

Brothers, Sisters and Friends:

As is tradition, the AHEPA Family Leadership met in Tarpon Springs during Epiphany celebrations. I'm pleased to announce the Supreme Lodge authorized the distribution of $240,000 to meet the ongoing need to assist the victims of the 2007 wildfires in Greece. This $240,000 donation compliments the 270 care packages (worth an estimated $250,000) we successfully delivered to Greece in October 2007. A formal press announcement will be soon forthcoming.

This week commences the 111th Congress. We congratulate all newly-elected and re-elected members of Congress. As you know, we had an extremely busy legislative agenda in the 110th Congress, and we expect the same for the 111th Congress. AHEPA fought to protect, preserve, or project those issues that affect us as American citizens of Hellenic ancestry. AHEPA will continue to do just that, but will need your help. We will continue to work with our champions on Capitol Hill that now includes newly-elected U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, but we will need to rely on our greatest asset -- our grassroots -- to lead us to more victories in Washington. I know our Cyprus & Hellenic Affairs Committee will be working to grow our Congressional Contact Network in 2009. Please be a part of it.

Finally, AHEPA is a strong organization comprised of great Hellenes and Philhellenes like you. As we close the membership books for 2008, I would like to thank you for your continued membership and earnest dedication to our mission. Looking forward, we will continue to explore ways to enhance the value of AHEPA membership. In the meantime, I wish you continued success in the upcoming year with the invaluable programs, projects, and community service initiatives that help us to fulfill our worthy mission.

Fraternally,

Ike Gulas, Supreme President

News From AHEPA

AHEPA Announces New Athletic Director
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Athletics) -- AHEPA is pleased to announce brother Spiros Siaggas from Atlanta's Mother Lodge #1 as our new Athletic Director. Brother Spiros has been an Ahepan for 38 years and has served for many of the recent years as our Deputy Athletic Director, under the late Dr. Kofos. Future inquiries about the Athletic program should be directed to Brother Spiros at ahepaad@comcast.net.

AHEPA Mourns Passing of Former Senator Claiborne Pell
WASHINGTON (AHEPA News) -- Supreme President Ike Gulas issued the following statement on the passing of Former U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island: "The AHEPA family was saddened to learn that Former Senator Claiborne Pell passed away on January 1, 2009." ... read more.

AHEPAcademy Now Taking Applications for the 2009 Session
WASHINGTON (AHEPAcademy) -- Attention High School Juniors: you have the opportunity to be one of a small, select group of Greek-American high school students selected from all over the country to participate in AHEPAcademy, an interactive leadership and networking seminar to be held on the campus of George Mason University outside Washington, DC from June 21-27, 2009. ... download your application today!

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.

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.

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 2009 Calendar

JANUARY
    05     AHEPA Epiphany Banquet - 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
    16-19 SOP W. Coast Greek Wknd & Regional Basketball Tourn. - LA, CA

FEBRUARY
    06-08 Sons & Maids Mid-Year Conference - Albany, NY
    07     Albany Sons & Maids Annual Valentine's Day Dance - Albany, NY
    13-14 District 1 Midwinter Conference - Nashville, TN

MARCH
    01     36th Annual Southeast Regional Golf Tournament - St. Petersburg, FL
    12-15 AHEPA Marrow Basketball Tournament - Chicago, IL
    21     AHEPA Canada Roast & Toast - Montreal
    29     AHEPA Suffolk County Half Marathon & 5k Race - Selden, NY

MAY
    14-17 District 3 Convention - Washington, DC

JUNE
    06     District 5 Convention - Trenton, NJ
    05-07 New England (Districts 7, 8 & 9) Regional Conference - Mansfield, MA
    18-20 District 16 Convention - New Orleans, LA
    19-21 District 21 Convention - Santa Clara, CA
    29-30 AHEPA Supreme Convention 2009 - San Francisco, CA

JULY
    01-05 AHEPA Supreme Convention 2009 - San Francisco, CA

Greek American Weekly News Digest

Land Mines and a Perilous Crossing into Greece
KASTANIES (International Herald Tribune) -- January 6, 2009 -- An unstinting stream of the shortchanged - from Asia, Africa and other points in between - seeks each day to penetrate the borders of Europe, whose wealth holds out the promise of a future. ... read more.

Fresh Tension between Greece and Turkey Arises in the Aegean
ATHENS (Greek News) -- January 5, 2009 -- Tensions in the Aegean are on the rise again after Turkey suggested that Greek helicopters were violating the neighboring country's air space while flying over the small Dodecanese island of Farmakonisi. ... read more.

Other Greek American News Headlines

• ANA-MPE - January 2, 2009
  FYROM President Says Resorting to International Court 'Loss of Valuable Time'
  
• Greek News - January 5, 2009
  AHEPA's New Year Message
  
• GOARCH.org - January 1, 2009
  Encyclical for the Feast of Saint Basil and the New Year
  

AHEPA District Spotlight

AHEPA Automotive District 10
District Governor Pete Tecos
AHEPA District 10, also known as the Automotive District, spans the State of Michigan. Founded in the mid 1920s, Alpha # 40 was the pioneering Chapter. Since that time, District 10 has grown to 11 Chapters with a cumulative membership totaling over 400. The Chapters within District 10 are active and passionate about our organization.

In addition to supporting and promoting Hellenism, our AHEPA Chapters regularly engage in philanthropic activities including 2 remarkably successful housing projects. Additionally, there is a magnificent camaraderie with the Daughters of Penelope. Perhaps the best example of synergy between the two organizations can be found in the District 10 Educational Foundation. Established in 1975 with a collaborative team of Ahepans and Daughters, the Educational Foundation has provided deserving youth with the opportunity to pursue higher learning through scholarships. To date, nearly $350,000 has been awarded.

Automotive District 10 invites you to visit their website (www.ahepamichigan.org) 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!

U.S. Representative Dina Titus
One of shining new stars being sworn into the 111th Congress is Greek-American, Dina Titus of Nevada.

Congresswoman Titus has dedicated her entire professional life to education and public service. She has taught American and Nevada government at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, for 30 years. She has represented the people of Senate District 7 in the Nevada Legislature since 1988, serving as the Democratic Minority Leader from 1993 - May 2008.

Fully embracing her Hellenic heritage, she has visited Athens, Meteora, Delphi, and many of the beautiful islands, gaining a deeper understanding of the country's regions, ruins, museums, and cuisine. As a proud Greek-American, Dina has spoken out in favor of Hellenism in the classroom and in the Nevada legislature where she has sponsored resolutions honoring the consecration of the new Greek church in Las Vegas and recognizing that Macedonia is Greek. She is committed to reunifying Cyprus, protecting the ecumenical patriarchate in Constantinople and maintaining the Greek sanctity of the name and symbols of Macedonia. Dina attends the St. John the Baptist Church in Las Vegas and keeps in close touch with her fellow members of the Greek community.

For her commitment to education, Hellenism and our youth, please join us in saluting one of our newest Members of Congress, Representative Dina Titus of Nevada, 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.

This Week for Greeks is an electronic news service of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.
For more information visit the AHEPA Online Headquarters at www.ahepa.org.
1909 Q Street, NW     Washington, DC 20009     Tel: 202-232-6300     Fax: 202-232-2140     Email: ahepa@ahepa.org