[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 59 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   ANDREW A. ATHENS HONORED FOR LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO COMMUNITY AND 
                                COUNTRY

                                 ______


                        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 an important event which will take place in my district 
this Saturday, May 14. That evening, the Pancyprian Association will 
honor Mr. Andrew A. Athens for his lifetime of service to community and 
country.
  Mr. Speaker, no tribute could be more deserved. Andrew's leadership 
and drive have benefited every cause to which he has lent his hand. All 
those whom he has touched have profited by his example and his 
generosity.
  Andrew is a decorated United States veteran, who served with 
distinction as an Army Captain in World War II and as a liaison officer 
with the Belgian Government. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for his 
extraordinary and meritorious service during the Egypt-Libya campaign 
and an Army Commendation Ribbon for the European campaign.
  After the war, Andrew embarked on a highly successful business 
career. As a cofounder of Metron Steel Corp., Andrew served as its 
President and CEO from 1950 to 1991. Under his four decades of 
leadership, Metron Steel prospered greatly.
  Andrew has spent his adult life working on behalf of those less 
fortunate than he. And what makes him such a great American is the fact 
that despite his considerable success, he has never forgotten his 
roots; he has never tired in his efforts to preserve the distinct 
values and heritage of his ancestors.
  In particular, Andrew has given so much to the cause of a free 
Cyprus. He is a trustee for Cyprus Relief Fund of America, the Cyprus 
Children's Fund, and the Makarios Scholarship Fund. And in 1974, Andrew 
founded the United Hellenic American Congress, for which he continues 
to serve as national chairman.
  Andrew's considerable achievements are well known to all. He has been 
honored both by President Spyros Kyprianou and President George 
Vasiliou of the Republican of Cyprus in 1986 and 1988 respectively. He 
has been decorated by the governments of Greece and Belgium, honored by 
his Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus, and received many 
other awards, too numerous to mention here.
  Andrew has also always supported the Greek Orthodox Church with his 
whole heart. His service as Chairman of Leadership 100 is yet another 
example of his total devotion to the Church. No one who knows Andrew 
has any doubt that this group will reach its stated goal of raising $50 
million for an endowment fund for the perpetuation of Orthodoxy in 
America. In addition, Andrew served as National Chairman of the 
National Tribute to Greek Orthodoxy commemorating the 25th Anniversary 
of the Enthronement and honoring his Eminence Archbishop Iakovos as 
Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in the Americas. In recognition of 
his efforts, Andrew has been awarded the Athenagoran Human Rights Award 
by the Order of St. Andrew and the Bronze Medal, order of St. Innocent, 
Apostle of America by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church 
in America.
  Andrew was also a co-founder of the Hellenic American Chamber of 
Commerce, U.S.A. Inc. in 1991. With Andrew as Chairman of the Board 
since its creation, this effective organization has promoted trade and 
investment opportunities between the United States and Greece. Indeed, 
the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce is the only American 
organization recognized by the Greek Government as an official liaison 
between the United States and Greece.
  Andrew's work as a statesman promoting warm relations between the 
United States and Greece was recognized when he was named as a member 
of the Presidential Delegation in October of 1991 at the funeral 
service for Patriarch Dimitrios I in Constantinople.
  And just over a year ago, Andrew received the great honor of being 
awarded the National Ethnic Coalition Organizations for representing 
the essence of the American way of life.
  Mr. Speaker, Andrew Athens should stand as an example to us all. His 
dedication and leadership have enriched our country and the world 
immeasurably. That's why I am proud to count him as a personal friend, 
and why I would like my colleagues to join me and the Pancyprian 
Association in honoring Andrew Athens for his lifetime of service.

                          ____________________