[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 58 (Thursday, May 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
       CHIAN FEDERATION HONORED FOR SERVICE TO COUNTRY, COMMUNITY

                                 ______


                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 1994

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues a special organization which has done so much to promote 
the values, culture, and ideals common to the United States and Greece 
and to strengthen Greek-American relations. I speak, of course, of the 
Chian Federation which represents 23 different societies and 50,000 
individuals with origins from the small island of Chios in the Aegean 
Sea.
  The Chian Federation was formed in 1974, in response to the Turkish 
invasion of Cyprus. Prompted by the feelings of kinship which so many 
Chiotes had for their Cypriot brothers and sisters, the many Chiotes 
who were living primarily in New York organized to bring to the 
attention of the rest of the United States the atrocities that the 
Turkish Government was committing on that beleaguered island.
  And so the Chian Federation was formed, to lift up a voice against 
oppression, to speak out against injustice, and to demand that the 
United States Government stand on the side of freedom for Cyprus. Over 
the past 20 years, the Chian Federation has been extremely successful 
in raising public consciousness on this issue in America and beyond.
  While the tyrannical occupation of Cyprus still continues, the Chian 
Federation deserves a great deal of credit for advocating a just policy 
for the United States with regard to Cyprus. Indeed, this Congress has 
recognized that Turkey's actions were illegal in using United States 
arms during the invasion of Cyprus and that the United States has a 
duty to promote human rights and self-determination for the Cypriot 
people.
  During its 20 year existence, the Chian Federation has grown in 
stature and size. Its involvement in issues of importance to the entire 
Greek-American community has been even greater. Its contribution to 
strengthening relations between the United States and Greece are well-
known to all. In addition, the Federation today sponsors many 
educational scholarships, cultural activities, educational workshops, 
and, of course, the Homeric Award.
  Mr. Speaker, the many thousand members of the Chian Federation are 
united by one common bond, an equal love for this great nation, their 
adopted country, and Greece, their ancestral and cultural homeland. The 
Chian Federation thus serves as a means for its members to realize the 
true meaning of the American way, to involve themselves fully in the 
direction of their government while remembering, revering, and 
preserving their cultural ancestry. That's why I hope that my 
colleagues will join me in honoring this group for its service to 
community and country over the past 20 years and wishing it another 120 
of success and growth.

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