[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 195 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S15998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO GEORGE PARASKEVAIDES

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, today I wish to honor and pay 
tribute to George Paraskevaides, a world-renowned titan of industry, a 
much-beloved humanitarian, and a most esteemed philanthropist.
  Throughout his exceptional life, George Paraskevaides, in word and 
deed, exemplified the ageless precepts of ancient Greece: excellence, 
education, civic engagement, and a love for mankind. And, at every 
turn, George not only lived up to those ideals--he lived them out in a 
way that was an example and inspiration to all.
  Although an Athenian by birth, George moved his family to Cyprus 
where he pursued his studies and obtained a formal education in 
architecture, and where he would form with Stelios Joannou what would 
become the legendary contracting and civil engineering firm of Joannou 
& Paraskevaides--or J&P. And today, J&P is one of the largest 
development companies in the world, employing more than 16,000 people 
and engaged in projects for airports, hotels, highways, homes, and 
sports arenas to name just a few. Underpinning J&P's success is its 
hallmark attention to quality and its reputation for completing 
projects on time and on budget.
  Through the years, however, in true Greek fashion, George was never 
content with building on his own success alone, and, time and again, 
demonstrated a generosity of spirit that was undeniably an ennobling 
force worldwide. His philanthropy was legendary. To cite just a few 
examples, he contributed to the Children's Heart Fund Hospital in 
Minneapolis, the Surgical and Transplant Foundation, and the Cyprus 
Heart Association. He funded countless scholarships for less fortunate 
Cypriots and founded the Cyprus Kidney Foundation. Perhaps his most 
historic gesture occurred during World War II when, at the request of 
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, George Paraskevaides assisted 
in building an airport runway for U.S. Allies to use--an act which to 
this day is remembered for its decisive courage and lasting impact.
  It should, therefore, come as no surprise that George Paraskevaides 
has been recognized globally for his immeasurable concern for his 
fellow man. The prestigious honors include the Order of the British 
Empire by Queen Elizabeth II, the Saint Marcus Medal from the Vatican, 
the St. Paul's Medal by the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of North and 
South America, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive 
Association, AHEPA, Philanthropic Award, and many, many others too 
numerous to mention. For 91 years, Greece, Cyprus, and the world were 
all blessed by the presence and good works of George Paraskevaides, and 
how profoundly fitting it was that Cyprus held a State funeral in his 
honor earlier this month.
  Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos characterized George best when 
he described him as ``a model of humanism, dignity, and kindness. His 
name became synonymous with the ideals of philanthropy and selfless 
love towards our fellow man.''

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