SIXTEEN LEGISLATORS JOIN AHI TO COMMEMORATE GREECE’S INDEPENDENCE

AHI virtually hosted its annual “Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day” to celebrate the 201st Anniversary of Greek Independence and the common democratic ideals held by Greece and the United States, March 30, 2022. The event was held in cooperation with the Congressional Hellenic Caucus’s co-chairs, U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and featured bicameral participation.

In addition to U.S. Reps. Bilirakis and Maloney, members of Congress who provided remarks included: U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Gary Peters (D-MI); and U.S. Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Grace Meng (D-NY), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chuck Fleishmann (R-TN), Ted Deutch (D-FL), and Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ).

Special guest speakers included: Ambassador of Greece to the United States Alexandra Papadopoulou and Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the United States Marios Lysiotis. In addition, AHI presented a pre-recorded video from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. President Nick Larigakis served as event moderator. He thanked U.S. Reps. Bilirakis and Maloney for their sponsorship of the event.

The speakers emphasized their admiration for the Greek American community, Hellenic culture, U.S.-Greece bilateral relations, and for the valiant struggle for Greek Independence, achieved over 200 years ago. They also expressed their desire for a proper settlement of the Cyprus issue, peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the need to hold regional actors such as Turkey accountable.

George Theodoridis, director of Music Arts at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington, D.C., performed the National Anthems of Greece and the United States.