[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 130 (Monday, October 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF ANDREW A. ATHENS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 7, 2002

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Andrew A. Athens for 
his outstanding leadership and contributions to the cause of justice 
and peace in Cyprus. For his commitment, he was awarded with the 
Justice for Cyprus award at the Cyprus Federation of America's annual 
Awards Gala on Saturday, October 5, 2002.
  In December 1995, Mr. Athens became the first elected World President 
of the World Council of Hellenes (SAE) in Thessaloniki, Greece. SAE is 
an historic, international movement that unites seven million Hellenes 
around the world and ten million Hellenes in Greece under one non-
profit, non-governmental organization. Under the successful direction 
of Mr. Athens, SAE developed programs aimed at improving the basic 
health care services available to Hellenic and general populations in 
Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Southern Russia, Ukraine and 
Uzbekistan, and created the World Youth Organization with regional 
youth organizations.
  Mr. Athens' focus of peace and justice in Cyprus has dominated his 
life. He founded the United Hellenic American Congress (UHAC) in 
Chicago twenty-six years ago, is Chairman and co-founder of the board 
of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce, and is an Honorary Member 
of the Board of Directors of the American Foundation of Greek Language 
and Culture (AFGLC), dedicated to preserving and propagating the Greek 
language and tradition in the United States.
  Mr. Athens enjoyed a successful business career serving as founding 
President and Chief Executive Officer of Metron Steel Corporation.
  In recognition of his extensive civic and humanitarian services, Mr. 
Athens has been presented with a multitude of awards, including: the 
Gold Cross of the Order of the Phoenix by the Greek Government; a 
Limited Issue Gold Commemorative Medallion honoring Archbishop 
Makarios, presented by the former president of Cyprus, the late Spyros 
Kyprianou; the Gold Medal of St. Barnabas; the John F. Kennedy Public 
Servant Award; Belgium's Commander in the Order of Leopold II; Ellis 
Island Congressional Medal of Honor; Grand Cross of the Order of Merit; 
and Medal of the Municipality of Athens.
  A true hero of America, Mr. Athens served in the United States Army 
for five years. He held the position of U.S. Captain in the Middle East 
and European Theaters in World War II, and was awarded the Bronze Star 
for the Egypt-Libya Campaign and the Army Commendation Ribbon.
  Mr. Athens and his wife, Louise, have two children, Paul and 
Jacqueline.
  Today I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Andrew Athens for 
his exceptional leadership and many accomplishments in the cause of 
justice and peace in Cyprus.

                          ____________________