[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 34 (Wednesday, February 28, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2378-S2379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 14--COMMEMORATING THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE FOUNDING OF THE AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRESSIVE
ASSOCIATION, A LEADING ASSOCIATION FOR THE 1,300,000 UNITED STATES
CITIZENS OF GREEK ANCESTRY AND PHILHELLENES IN THE UNITED STATES
Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Mr. Menendez) submitted the following
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary:
S. Con. Res. 14
Whereas the American Hellenic Educational Progressive
Association (AHEPA) was founded on July 26, 1922, in Atlanta,
Georgia, by 8 visionary Greek immigrants to help unify,
organize, and protect against the bigotry, discrimination,
and defamation faced by people of all ethnic, racial, and
religious backgrounds perpetrated predominantly by the Ku
Klux Klan;
Whereas the mission of AHEPA is to promote the ideals of
ancient Greece, which include philanthropy, education, civic
responsibility, and family and individual excellence through
community service and volunteerism;
Whereas, since its inception, AHEPA has instilled in its
members an understanding of their Hellenic heritage and an
awareness of the contributions made by Greece to the
development of democratic principles and governance in the
United States and throughout the world;
Whereas AHEPA has done much throughout its history to
foster patriotism in the United States;
Whereas members of AHEPA have served in the Armed Forces to
protect the freedom of the United States and to preserve the
democratic ideals that are part of the Hellenic legacy;
Whereas, in World War II, members of AHEPA were parachuted
behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied Greece to help liberate
the country;
Whereas AHEPA raised more than $253,000,000 for United
States war bonds during World War II, for which AHEPA was
named an official Issuing Agent for United States War Bonds
by the Department of Treasury, an honor that no other civic
organization was able to achieve at the time;
Whereas the members of AHEPA donated $612,000 for the
restoration of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, New
York, for which AHEPA received special recognition by the
Department of the Interior;
Whereas the AHEPA National Housing Program was awarded
$500,000,000 by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development for its Section 202 Program, which has yielded
4,370 units in 80 properties across 21 States and 49 cities
and has provided dignified, affordable housing to senior
citizens;
Whereas AHEPA was recognized by the Department of State as
an organization that has engaged in ``Track Two Diplomacy''
to foster reconciliation and rapprochement in the Eastern
Mediterranean, which is in the best interest of the United
States;
Whereas members of AHEPA raised $110,000 for the George C.
Marshall Statue to be erected on the grounds of the United
States Embassy in Athens, Greece, in celebration of the
historic relationship between the United States and Greece,
and in tribute to an outstanding statesman and Philhellene,
General Marshall;
Whereas AHEPA financially supports scholarships,
educational chairs, medical research, and countless other
charitable and philanthropic causes by contributing more than
$2,000,000 annually from its national, district, and local
levels collectively;
Whereas, in the spirit of their Hellenic heritage and in
commemoration of the Centennial Olympic Games held in
Atlanta, Georgia, members of AHEPA raised $775,000 for the
Tribute to Olympism Sculpture, the fan-like structure of
which helped to save lives during the bombing at Centennial
Olympic Park;
Whereas members of AHEPA have been Presidents and Vice
Presidents of the United States, United States Senators and
Representatives, and United States Ambassadors, and have
served honorably as elected officials at the local and State
levels throughout the United States; and
Whereas President George H.W. Bush cited AHEPA as one of
the ``thousand points of light'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That the Congress--
(1) recognizes the significant contributions of United
States citizens of Hellenic heritage to the United States;
(2) commemorates the 85th anniversary of the founding of
the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association
(AHEPA), applauds its mission, and commends the
[[Page S2379]]
many charitable contributions of its members to communities
around the world; and
(3) encourages the people of the United States to observe
the 85th anniversary of the founding of AHEPA and celebrate
its many accomplishments.
Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, this year marks the 85th anniversary of the
founding of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association,
AHEPA. I rise today to submit with my colleague, Senator Menendez, a
concurrent resolution honoring AHEPA's history of service, not only to
Americans of Greek descent, but to Americans of all backgrounds and to
the United States itself.
AHEPA was founded in 1922 to combat the bigotry encountered by Greek
immigrants to this country, and to assist these new Americans with
building and protecting their livelihoods in our great Nation. Eighty-
five years later--decades in which generations of Greek-Americans
worked tirelessly in commerce and fought patriotically on the
battlefield to make the United States the prosperous and peaceful land
it is today--AHEPA continues its mission to promote the shared Hellenic
and American values of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility,
and family and individual excellence.
This is more than a mission statement, it is a commitment to action
that has been fulfilled time and again. AHEPA today awards more than
half a million dollars in academic scholarships annually. Its
philanthropic efforts have contributed to the restoration of the Statue
of Liberty and Ellis Island. It has enhanced the civic participation of
its members and other U.S. citizens through seminars and conferences on
key domestic and international policy issues. And, together with three
affiliated organizations--the Daughters of Penelope, the Sons of
Pericles and the Maids of Athena--AHEPA has contributed to over a
billion dollars in funding for youth- and family-focused projects
across the country.
As the first Greek-American woman elected to both the House and
Senate, I am often reminded that the connection between the U.S.
Congress and the Greek people is not limited to the Greek Americans who
have served as members, or the foreign policy issues debated in its
halls. Rather, the very inspiration for the Congress as a legislative
body are the democratic chambers of ancient Greece.
The myriad ties between our two countries--be they cultural, economic
or geopolitical--comprise a bond that can and should only strengthen.
AHEPA's long record of service to Greek-Americans and their countrymen
are both a testament and critical component of that historical bond. It
is accordingly an honor and a pleasure to submit this concurrent
resolution recognizing the accomplishments of AHEPA's first 85 years.
May there be many, many more.
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