[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 26 (Wednesday, March 3, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE PANCYPRIAN ASSOCIATION WOMEN'S ISSUES NETWORK AND 
                 THELMA PIERI WOMAN OF THE YEAR HONOREE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 2004

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Pancyprian Association 
Women's Issues Network (WIN) on the evening of its annual Dinner Dance, 
and to recognize WIN's 2004 Woman of the Year Award honoree, Ms. Thelma 
Pieri.
  WIN was founded in 1997 to serve the Cyprian-American community, 
promote the Hellenic Cypriot culture and provide opportunities for 
future generations of Cyprian women. The organization sponsors health 
lectures, health fairs, cultural events and breast and cervical cancer 
screening for women with no health insurance. Additionally, WIN has 
worked against the Turkish occupation of Cyprus since 1974.
  Thelma Pieri was born in Galata, Cyprus on September 28, 1936; she is 
the daughter of Emilio and Theophanis Michalides. Thelma was educated 
in Cyprus and graduated from high school in 1954. As a young adult, she 
fell in love with and married Andreas Pieri. Mr. and Ms. Pieri have 
three children and nine grandchildren.
  In 1967, Andreas and Thelma immigrated to the United States and made 
their home in Queens, New York. For the Pieri family, the United States 
has truly been a land of opportunity: with her husband, Thelma owned 
and operated two successful beauty salons.
  Thelma's dedication to community service and the liberation of Cyprus 
is amply demonstrated by her tireless work for the American Hellenic 
Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) and the Pancyprian 
Organization. She served as the chairperson of the Pancyprian 
Organization's Cultural Division and president of its athletic 
committee. Furthermore, she has received awards for her community 
service efforts from, among others, AHEPA, the Queens Borough 
President, the Pancyprian Organization and the Panhellenic Federation. 
She has truly given selflessly of her time and talent so as to improve 
the quality of life in her community. She is one of those rare 
individuals who can always find the time and energy to do more and give 
more.
  In 1986, Mr. and Ms. Pieri moved to Newport Ritchie, Florida, where 
Thelma founded the Pancyprian Association of Florida and the Greek 
School at the St. George Church of Newport Ritchie.
  Thelma continues to be a passionate spokesperson for the liberation 
of Cyprus. ``I wish to return to Greece, where my children live, and 
participate in their lives and that of my grandchildren,'' Thelma 
recently remarked. ``I work for the freedom of Cyprus and my heart is 
bleeding when I see my beautiful island under Turkish occupation. I 
will continue to work and fight until I see the sun set on a free, 
united Cyprus.''
  Thelma Pieri truly exemplifies the tradition of community involvement 
that makes America the greatest nation in the world. On behalf of the 
residents of the Fourteenth Congressional District of New York, I would 
like to extend to Ms. Pieri and the Women's Issues Network my 
continuing respect, admiration and support.
  Mr. Speaker, I request that my colleagues join me in paying tribute 
to this wonderful organization and its honoree, Thelma Pieri.

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