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A message from the |
Contact: Ike Gulas |
Dear Brothers, Sisters, and friends of the AHEPA Family:
Yesterday, we witnessed a historic election. The American Dream is alive and well. We congratulate President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joseph Biden, Jr. on their hard-fought victory. The American Hellenic community looks forward to working with the new administration 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. Their demonstrated interest and understanding of Hellenic American issues is encouraging and presents great opportunity for progress. However, we must continue to work diligently to keep our issues at the forefront in Washington.
Also we salute Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin for running a commendable campaign.
We congratulate the Greek-American members of Congress who were successful in their reelection bids: U.S. Reps. Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Zack Space (D-OH), and Niki Tsongas (D-MA). We look forward to working with these core members of the Hellenic Caucus along with our greatest Philhellene, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who co-chairs the Caucus and successfully won reelection.
And we warmly welcome and congratulate Dina Titus (D-NV), who accomplished the difficult task of unseating an incumbent member of Congress. She will be an asset as a future member of the Hellenic Caucus.
Moreover, the noble efforts of Greek-American challengers Jane Mitakides (D-OH) and Jim Trakas (R-OH) are to be commended. Running for office is never an easy task especially for challengers. They are to be applauded. We must strive to encourage more Greek-Americans to run for public office at all levels of government. It is a cause that falls well within our mission.
Finally, a hearty thank you to everyone who participated in our voter registration and education programs during the fall. Civic responsibility is a crucial element of AHEPA’s mission. For each person who registered another to vote, who shared our congressional scorecard with a family member or friend, who helped our senior citizens to the polls, or more importantly, who exercised their right to vote, we commend your fulfillment to your civic duty.
Thank you.
Fraternally,
Ike Gulas, Supreme President
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.
This message 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