[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 8 (Wednesday, February 6, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E95]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN RECOGNITION OF THE PANPAPHIAN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 6, 2002

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the 
Panpaphian Association of America which will be honoring Peter J. 
Pappas with the Evagoras Pallikarides Award of Merit as well as this 
year's Member of the Year, Chrysi Kleopa Notskas.
  The Panpaphian Association was founded in 1987 by a group of Hellenic 
Cypriot Americans from Paphos, Cyprus to serve as cultural, educational 
and social organization. The Evagoras Pallikarides Award is named in 
honor of Evagoras Pallikarides, who was born in the small village of 
Tsada, Paphos, in February of 1938. Pallikarides is hailed as a hero by 
many for his work as a Cypriot freedom-fighter during the British 
occupation of Cyprus. For his efforts, Pallikarides was subsequently 
executed by the British, but his legacy of independence and cultural 
pride has endured. This year's recipient of the Evagoras Pallikarides 
Award embodies these characteristics as well.
  Peter J. Pappas is the President & CEO of PJ Mechanical Corporation. 
It is one of the largest service maintenance organizations in the New 
York metropolitan area and presently ranks ninth in the entire nation. 
Mr. Pappas's professional successes can be rivaled only by his many 
philanthropic contributions. He serves on the Archdiocesan Council, is 
a Director of Leadership 100, and President of HANAC, which oversees 
and coordinates a variety of social service programs throughout the 
community that have serviced thousands of people. He is also President 
of the Cyprus Children's Fund, a member of the Board of Directors of 
the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the New York State 
Hellenic American Republican Association.
  Mr. Pappas has been married to his wife, Catherine, in 1961. The 
couple has three grown children, Peter, James and Tara and seven 
grandchildren.
  Being honored as this year's Panaphian Association Member of the Year 
is Chrysi Kleopa Notskas. A native of Paphos, Cyprus she relocated to 
the U.S. as a student, obtaining a Bachelor's degree from Adelphi 
University and a Master's degree from Long Island University. She was 
named Ms. Cyprus of the USA and was also recognized with an Outstanding 
Teacher Award. As a teacher and mentor, Notskas is known for her 
selflessness and unwillingness to say no to a student in need. She is 
married to Evan Notskas and they have a daughter named Olga.
  In recognition of these outstanding achievements, I ask my colleagues 
to join me in recognizing the great contributions of the Panpaphian 
Association, and its honorees Peter J. Papas and Chrysi Kleopa Notskas.

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