[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 179 (Monday, November 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   DEMETRIS KASTANAS HONORED FOR SERVICE TO GREEK-AMERICAN COMMUNITY

                                 ______


                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 13, 1995

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a man whose work 
has touched the lives of millions.
  On November 10, 1995, several leading Greek-American institutions 
will honor Demetris Kastanas for his extraordinary contributions to the 
Greek-American community over the past 20 years.
  Demetris is a media entrepreneur whose television programs and 
magazine have brought Greek communities in both America and Europe 
closer together. He has also used this resources and expertise to raise 
money to help people in need.
  Demetris is the president and chief executive officer of National 
Greek TV of U.S.A., Inc., and Athens Productions, Ltd. He is also the 
publisher of ESEIS magazine. Both organizations are based on Astoria, 
NY, with branch offices in Athens and Chicago.
  Since 1975, Demetris has been the chief executive producer of the 
``National Greek TV Show,'' a weekly ethnic variety program on UHF 
channels in the Midwest and Northeastern United States produced by 
Athens Productions, Ltd. It is the longest running Greek program 
outside the United States.
  Since 1987, Demetris has served as chief executive producer of the 
Greek Channel, a daily cable channel broadcasting Greek programming on 
the Time Warner cable system. It is produced by National Greek TV of 
U.S.A., Inc. The Greek Channel broadcasts 19 hours a day, 7 days a 
week.
  In 1988, Demetris began publishing ESEIS, a Greek-American biweekly 
magazine that is distributed internationally.
  For the past 20 years, through his television programs and his 
magazine, Demetris has been providing the Greek-American community with 
news, sports, music, documentaries, cultural, informational, 
educational and entertainment programs. He has put the power of the 
media to good use in helping Greek compatriots who have come to the 
United States seeking medical treatment. He has publicized their cases 
on television and in his magazine, helping to raise money for their 
medical expenses.
  Demetris has conducted four telethons to raise money for the needs of 
the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York. He has also 
conducted one telethon for the Greek Children's Cancer Fund at Memorial 
Sloan Kettering, with the second telethon scheduled for December 17, 
1995.
  So I join with the Pan-Macedonian Association, the Pan-Peloponnesian 
Association, the Federation of Sterea Hellas, the Cyprus Federation, 
the Pan-Pontian Federation, and the Pan-Dodecanese Association in 
honoring this extraordinary man for his contributions to the Greek-
American community over the past 20 years.
  Mr. Speaker, bringing people together has been Demetris' life's work. 
And on November 10, the Greek-American community will come together to 
celebrate his extraordinary service.
  And now, to make this year even better, he has taken on his business 
partner, Norma Papamihaliou, as his wife.

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