[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 2, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING STAVROS NICHOLAS KALOMIRIS AND VIOLET RECKAS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 2, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Stavros Kalomiris 
and Violet Reckas. They were the recipients of St. George Greek 
Church's Georgie Awards.
  Stavros Nicholas Kalomiris: Stavros was born in Anniston, Alabama, on 
April 2, 1925. His family moved to Fresno when he was 8 months old. 
Stavros graduated from Fresno High School in 1943. He then joined the 
Marine Corps after graduation and served in the Pacific Theater for 3 
years. Stavros saw action on Iwo Jima. He returned to Fresno after the 
war.
  On February 17th, 1952, he married Clara Mitchell from Stockton, 
California. They have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Stavros worked 
for the City of Fresno, Street Department, for 25 years and retired in 
1978.
  Stavros served on the St. George Parish Council in 1959 and 60. He 
also served as St. George Youth Advisor for over 10 years and ran Camp 
Keola at Huntington Lake for many years before St. Nicholas Ranch was 
established. Stavros assisted Father Bakas at St. Nicholas Ranch by 
transporting campers to and from the ranch.
  Stavros has been a life long member of St. George Golden Age 
activities as tour director for over 10 years and a member of the Order 
of Ahepa for over 40 years.
  Stavros volunteers at Special Olympics every year. He and his family 
have been a very important part of St. George Church and the Greek 
Community for many years.
  Violet Reckas: Vi is one of nine children born to Peter and Vasiliki 
Reckas. A native of Fresno, Vi's affinity for ecclesiastical music came 
naturally: her father was a cantor for the Church which, at the time, 
was but a few blocks away from the family home. Vi attended Edison High 
School, and wound up working in the family bakery during World War II 
while her brothers were away.
  The St. George Choir has been organized by her brother John prior to 
the war. Vi took over the direction of the choir at the urging of Dr. 
Limberakis during his tenure at St. George. During the 80's, Vi's 
outstanding work with the choir was recognized by (Bishop) Metropolitan 
Anthony Lakovos with a Gold Medallion. Vi's involvement with the choir 
became somewhat curtailed in 1991 when a tumor was discovered.




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