[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 64 (Friday, April 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PAYING TRIBUTE TO GEORGE FILIOS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 20, 2007

  Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend 
George Filios for his personal and professional successes, he is truly 
the embodiment of the American Dream.
  George came to the United States from Greece in December 1955 and 
began working in the textile mills in Lowell, Massachusetts. In 1957, 
he began work in the construction industry as a painter and carpenter 
and attended school in the evening to learn English and the Principles 
of Construction. In 1958 George, in partnership with George Papageorge, 
founded G & G Construction Company. George took the Oath of Citizenship 
in May, 1961 and subsequently moved to California. George returned to 
his native Greece in 1966 where he met his lovely wife, Nitsa Statara.
  George established the Filios Construction Company in 1967, 
specializing in the construction of apartment complexes and 
subsequently teamed up with Alex Spanos. Following the birth of his 
first child, Spiridon Filios in 1968, George was offered a management 
position within A.G. Spanos Companies, thus began a fruitful 
relationship spanning over thirty years. Soon thereafter, in 1970, 
George's daughter, Vayia Filios was born. The Filios family relocated 
to Southern Nevada in 1975 recognizing the booming economy of the 
region and opportunities it presented to the buildings and construction 
trades.
  In addition to his professional success, George has also contributed 
greatly to his community. Following the family's move to southern 
Nevada, George became very much involved with the St. John the Baptist 
Greek Orthodox Church. He was intimately involved in long range 
planning of building Church facilities and in 1978, during his 
Presidency of the Parish Council, they acquired the land necessary to 
construct a new Church and community center. George was also very 
involved with the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where he served as 
the Administrator of the A.G. Spanos Companies Faculty Award. 
Furthermore, George has served on the State Contractors Board, from 
1981-1984, and as a member of the Clark County Commission Multifamily 
Council.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor my good friend George Filios. His 
success in business and philanthropic pursuits is truly commendable and 
his dedication to the community should serve as an example to us all. 
Through hard work and determination he has succeeded, thereby truly 
personifying the American Dream. I thank him for his service to the 
community and wish him the best in his future endeavors.




                          ____________________