[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 149 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMEMORATING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 13, 2009

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus, I 
rise today to congratulate the Daughters of Penelope on their 80th 
anniversary. I want to thank Representative Maloney, my Hellenic Caucus 
co-chair for introducing this meaningful measure of which I am a proud 
original cosponsor.The Daughters of Penelope is a premier international 
women's organization and affiliate organization of the American 
Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, the Nation's leading 
association of American citizens of Greek heritage and countless 
Philhellenes.
  Founded November 16, 1929, in San Francisco, California, the 
Daughters of Penelope was established to improve the well-being of 
women and provide them with the opportunity to make significant 
contributions to American society. Today its mission is to promote the 
ideals of ancient Greece, education, philanthropy, civic 
responsibility, family, and individual excellence through community 
service and volunteerism.
  Over its history, the Daughters of Penelope have achieved remarkable 
accomplishments. It has strengthened the status of women in society, 
sheltered the elderly and the abused, educated our youth, promoted 
Hellenic heritage, and raised funds for medical research.
  One project adopted by the Daughters of Penelope over the years that 
is near and dear to my heart is St. Basil Academy, a Greek Orthodox 
Archdiocese home for children in need. Beginning in 1954, the Daughters 
of Penelope have been providing charitable aid to St. Basil Academy 
when it embarked on a Christmas Seal Campaign to raise funds to build 
the new water works for the academy. Since then, the Daughters of 
Penelope contributed to the furnishing of new buildings that have been 
built on campus, built a heated outdoor swimming pool for the children, 
and has provided funds for ongoing maintenance and renovations to the 
academy for such items as replacing outdated appliances and worn-out 
roofs.
  Finally, Daughters of Penelope members exemplify the American dream. 
With their strong work ethic, Greek-American women have risen to become 
leaders in their respective professions, from government to business to 
the arts. I am honored to have a longtime member of the Daughters 
working in my district office. My dear friend, Sonja Stefanadis, has 
been a member of the Daughters of Penelope for 48 years and served as 
its national president in the early 80's. So, I know first hand the 
extraordinary work this wonderful organization does. It has been a 
vehicle through which this advancement has occurred in our society.
  Congratulations to the Daughters of Penelope. I look forward to many, 
many years of working together with them.

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