[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING ANDREW A. ATHENS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2001

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding 
American, a humanitarian and a dedicated health provider, Andrew A. 
Athens.
  Mr. Athens has dedicated his life not only to serving his family, his 
faith, and his nation, but is trying to improve the quality of life for 
millions of patients in need of health care throughout the world. With 
the same dedication and work ethic, Andy Athens and his wife, Louise, 
have raised their children and grandchildren in the best traditions of 
philanthropy, respect, and good will.
  Andy was born in Chicago, IL, the son of Greek-American immigrants. 
He went on to serve as a captain in the U.S. Army during World War II 
where he distinguished himself in the European and African campaigns 
for which he was decorated with the Bronze Star. Following the war, he 
helped rebuild the infrastructure of war-ravaged Europe, which service 
earned him a citation from the Hungarian Government. Subsequent to his 
return to America, Andy returned cofound Metron Steel Corporation, in 
which he served as its president for 41 years and during which time it 
became a major steel service center in the Midwest.
  A life-long activist in the Greek Orthodox Faith, Andy Athens has 
held leadership roles on the local, Diocesan and national levels. While 
President of the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese 
of America from 1974-1995, the highest position a layman can hold in 
the Church's national administration, Andy helped to establish the 
charitable arms of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, the 
International Orthodox Christian Charities, and Leadership 100. For his 
outstanding humanitarian service, Andy received numerous awards, 
including the highly regarded Religious Heritage of America Award, the 
Athenagoran Human Rights Award, the Medal of Saint Paul, and other 
honors. Furthermore, Andy's service to the National Church has earned 
him the international recognition of the leader of World Orthodoxy, the 
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, who has elevated Andy to the 
rank of Archon of the Order of Saint Andrew.
  Responding to the need for political action, Andy mobilized the Greek 
American community to petition elected officials and to express their 
views for global action. In 1974, he founded the United Hellenic 
American Congress (UHAC), and continues to serve as its' chairman. UHAC 
has helped to bridge the gap between the Greek American communities who 
govern nationally and globally. It is a voice for human rights 
violations in the Mediterranean and the Balkans and the need for 
religious freedom in Turkey. Continuing his international humanitarian 
service, in 1995, Mr. Athens was elected to serve as the 1st President 
of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE).
  Andy's greatest political and humanitarian achievements have been in 
his service with the SAE, which represents 7 million Hellenes living 
outside of Greece. Under Andy's leadership, the SAE instituted an 
historic program bringing primary health care and job opportunities to 
Hellenes and their neighbors living in the countries of the former 
Soviet Union. The SAE Medical Relief Program has established three 
health care centers in Georgia, a clinic and visiting nurses program in 
Ukraine, and a health care clinic in Armenia. Soon, they will begin a 
full program in Albania. They have managed to help more than 34,000 
patient's per month throughout these clinics.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join in honoring Andrew A. 
Athens, a ``Greek-American global advocate of all the values that have 
made our nation so strong.'' Mr. Athens has lived the American dream 
based on honor, duty, faith and respect. He has truly been saintly as a 
philanthropic global advocate for the values we all embody as 
Americans.

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