A Message From The AHEPA Executive Director


A message from the
desk of Basil Mossaidis
Thursday, April 10, 2008

Contact: Basil Mossaidis
Phone: (202) 232-6300; Ext. 206
E-mail: BMossaidis@ahepa.org

The AHEPA
Road to Hellenism Journey Continues


Dear Brothers:


Please enjoy this photo and video journal recap of Supreme President Ike Gulas's recent trip to promote Hellenism. Click on any of these thumbnail versions of the photos to view the original high resolution image.


Supreme President Ike Gulas, Saturday, greets the President of Parliament of Greece, Dimitris Sioufas at the Hilton Hotel in New York City. The greeting was followed by a private meeting, granted by President Sioufas.


The President of Parliament of Greece, Dimitris Sioufas, and several members of Parliament hosted a private meeting for Supreme President Ike Gulas Saturday on the sidelines of events surrounding the celebration of Greek Independence Day in New York City at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The parliament members represented a diversity of political parties in Greece.


Supreme President Ike Gulas leads the AHEPA family at the Greek Independence Day parade down 5th Ave, NY. Supreme President Ike Gulas, Supreme Vice President Nick Karacostas, Secretary Dr. John Grossomanides, Supreme Governor Lou Arvanitis and Grand President Karen Stamatiadaes walk down 5th Avenue, as 45,000 spectators look on. Hundreds of Ahepans marched behind the leaders of our organization and the brothers of District #6 New York funded a beautiful AHEPA Float. A proud day for all AHEPA! President Gulas was interviewed on live network television and was quoted saying the AHEPA as the premier Greek American organization was proud and pleased to attend.


At the parade, Supreme President Ike Gulas was interviewed by WWOR-TV, Channel 9 in NY. He spoke to the importance of promoting Hellenism, the philanthropic work of the Greek-American community, the important mission of AHEPA and the excitement around the upcoming Supreme Convention in Athens. To view the interview, click on the image above or click here. Viewing this file requires Windows Media Player.


Supreme President Ike Gulas and Parade Chairman John Catsimatidis pose for a photo with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney from New York and Supreme Vice President Nick Karacostas. The Supreme President briefly discussed the current issues with the Congresswoman involving the FYROM vote recently in Romania. Congresswoman Maloney reiterated her undying support of the AHEPA and promised to stay abreast of the ongoing diplomatic issues in that region of the world. Both VP Nick Karacostas and President Gulas thanked the Congresswoman for her support and looked forward to visiting with her on their next visit to Washington. Congresswoman Maloney is the CoChairperson of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus.


Gulas. Brother Gulas attended the event to accolades on the recent position AHEPA took in reference to the FYROM issue. Members were pleased on the update on the convention in Greece offered by Executive Director Basil Mossaidis and District #3 Treasurer Steve Mavronis accompanied the Supreme President as a visitor and was also asked to speak. Members of District 5 & 6 have grown closer since the inception of the new regions was passed last year. The event highlighted the most basic principle of AHEPA, brotherhood. Many thanks to Brother Louie for opening up his restaurant to AHEPA and thanks for those who attended.


Supreme President Ike Gulas and Daughters Grand President Stamatiades thank Former Undersecretary R. Nicholas Burns for years of Public Service. Recently, Supreme President Ike Gulas discussed the FYROM issue among others, with Ambassador Burns. Ambassador Burns has announced his retirement from the State Department some time ago, but was a speaker at a Washington event, where both the Supreme President and the Daughters President met with him. AHEPA has spearheaded the Visa Waiver program and Ambassador Burns thanked President Gulas for all the hard work.


AHEPA Supreme President Ike Gulas meets with President of Drexel University Dr. Constatnine Papadakis. Recently, Supreme President Ike Gulas met with Dr. Papadakis of Drexel University and the two discussed new ways that the AHEPA and the University can partner together. Drexel University agreed to match EVERY scholarship awarded to a Drexel Student who is a member of the AHEPA family, dollar for dollar up to $2,000 per student. An AHEPA scholarship of $2,000 would now become $4,000 if the student attends Drexel. A strong supporter of AHEPA Dr. Papadakis continued to suggest additional ways the AHEPA and the University could work together to promote Hellenism in the United States. Supreme President Gulas discussed various events which the AHEPA could work together with the university to promote our scholarship program and perhaps the medical school to work to assist in finding a new cure for Cooley's anemia, a cause AHEPA has been fighting for decades. The two agreed additional communications between or offices would be beneficial. The Supreme President thanked the President of Drexel for the opportunity to meet.


Supreme President Ike Gulas visit National Herald headquarters in Astoria, NY. Received by editor in Chief Antonias Diamataris 2007 Demosthenes Award winner) at the only Greek language daily newspaper, with English editions every Friday, Supreme President Gulas reiterate AHEPA thanks for the National Herald's support of our benevolent programs. Mr. Diamataris hosted a small lunch for the President and various topics were discussed about AHEPA's future, the 2008 Greece Convention and international issues and AHEPA's position on FYROM as well as our dedication to a just resolution to Cyrpus.


AHEPA continues to promote those things we hold true and salute Greece for 187 years of freedom.



Basil MossaidisFraternally,

Basil Mossaidis Signature
Basil Mossaidis,
AHEPA Executive Director


AHEPA is the largest Greek-American association in the world with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, Cyprus, and sister chapters in Australia and New Zealand. It was established in 1922 by visionary Greek Americans to protect Hellenes from prejudice originating from the KKK, and in its history, AHEPA joined with the NAACP and B'nai B'rith International to fight discrimination.