[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 131 (Monday, October 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE GREEK AMERICAN HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION AND ITS 
                                HONOREES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 17, 2005

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the achievements of 
the Greek American Homeowners Association (GAHOA) on the occasion of 
its annual dinner dance. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring 
the organization's officers and members, as well as its President, 
George Alexiou. I would also like to salute GAHOA's distinguished 
honorees: George Fakiris, John Millas, Peter Stathatos, Dennis Syntilas 
and Rose Ann Alafogiannis.
  GAHOA is a non-profit organization based in Astoria, New York that 
has been committed to advancing the interests of the Greek-American 
community since 1976. The organization provides an extensive array of 
educational programs and is a generous benefactor to the community.
  GAHOA currently has more than 2,000 members in the greater New York 
area. The Association provides Greek language scholarships to local 
schools, citizenship and voter registration drives and monthly speakers 
to help educate the residents of the community. In addition, GAHOA 
provides Thanksgiving dinner to more than 12,000 individuals every 
year.
  This year's dinner dance will benefit another of the Association's 
outstanding community service achievements: Athens Square Park. The 
park is a cultural center that invites people of all ethnicities to 
share and enjoy Hellenic music, dance and art. The park, which once 
served as the starting point of the Olympic flame in the United States, 
was the brainchild of GAHOA cofounder Dennis Syntilas. With 
contributions from students, the community and corporations, as well as 
cooperation with the NYC Department of Parks, Athens Square Park is now 
a cultural hub of the diverse Astoria community.
  George Fakiris, the first of GAHOA's honorees, was born in Chios, 
Greece and immigrated to the United States in 1969. He worked as a 
painter and decorator before becoming a successful real estate 
developer and philanthropist. Mr. Fakiris is a generous benefactor of 
GAHOA's annual Thanksgiving dinner and scholarship fund. Mr. Fakiris' 
support, knowledge and experience continue to greatly benefit his 
community.
  The Association's next honoree, John Millas, is from Evia, Greece and 
moved to the United States in 1963. Mr. Millas worked in the restaurant 
business before starting his own real estate management firm. A GAHOA 
co-founder, Mr. Millas also dedicates his time to the Pan Evoiakos 
Society of New York and other worthy causes. In 1977, he married Amalia 
Calogrides, and they have two children, Sofia and George.
  The Association's third honoree, Peter Stathatos, was born in 
Kefallonia, Greece. Also a co-founder of the Greek American Homeowners 
Association, Mr. Stathatos has held several positions within the 
organization and has served on the boards of the Kefalos Society and 
St. Gerasimos Church. In 1997, Mr. Stathatos was honored by Borough 
President Claire Shulman for his outstanding work in the community. He 
and his wife, Anastasia, have three children, Irene, John and Mamie, 
and three grandchildren, Anastasia, Nicholas and Matthew.
  The next honoree, Dennis C. Syntilas, is a retired banker, a 
cofounder of the Greek American Homeowners Association and the driving 
force behind Athens Square Park. He is a member of Community Board 1 
and has dedicated himself to improving the quality of life in his 
neighborhood. Mr. Syntilas's awards are too numerous to list--though 
his friends will attest to the fact that he is most proud of his wife, 
Rita Koletti, his daughter Vayia and his son-in-law, George D. Apergis.
  The final honoree, Rose Ann Alafogiannis, is another GAHOA co-founder 
and an active member of the Astoria commurlity.
  She is a former President of the Kiwanis Club, a member of the Board 
of Directors of Astoria Civic Association and a member of Community 
Board 1. Ms. Alafogiannis also donates her time to SHAREing and 
CAREing, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting those 
affected by breast cancer. She and her late husband, Thomas, have four 
children, Paul, Jennifer, Joseph and Vasilli.
  Mr. Speaker, as the founder and co-chairperson of the Congressional 
Caucus on Hellenic Issues, I ask that my colleagues join me in paying 
tribute to the Greek American Homeowners Association, its President 
George Alexiou and its distinguished honorees.

                          ____________________