[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 127 (Wednesday, September 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


IN RECOGNITION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF GREEK AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL WOMEN 
           AND ITS WOMAN OF THE YEAR, LOULA LOI ALAFOYIANNIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 19, 2012

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Association of Greek 
American Professional Women. In March 2011, it honored my good friend, 
Loula Loi Alafoyiannis, as its Woman of the Year at an awards ceremony 
held on International Women's Day. In a fitting tribute, it is 
presenting a scholarship to an outstanding female student of Hellenic 
descent in Loula's name.
  Founded in New York, the Association of Greek American Professional 
Women (AGAPW) is an independent non-profit organization that provides a 
forum for American women of Hellenic descent working in various 
professions and businesses. It is a clearinghouse for information, 
resources, support and networking opportunities, and helps to expand 
career opportunities and advance Greek-American professional women by 
forging partnerships and establishing symbiotic relationships with 
other organizations within and outside the Greek-American community. In 
so doing, AGAPW plays an important supportive role for Hellenic 
American women who seek to work and improve their quality of life in 
the U.S., Greece, Cyprus, and around the world.
  Loula Loi Alafoyiannis is a remarkable leader whom I am proud to call 
my friend. She is the Founder, Global President, and Chief Executive 
Officer of the Euro-American Women's Council (EAWC), which since 1996 
has helped forge ties between entrepreneurs in Europe and America and 
advance women's rights and opportunities in the worlds of business and 
education.
  Loula Loi Alafoyiannis is widely admired in the world of business and 
government for her strategic acumen and wise counsel. She provided 
training to prospective start-up business proprietors in Azerbaijan and 
was honored with IBM's prestigious Crown Award for women entrepreneurs. 
She served as a trusted advisor to me and to many distinguished public 
servants, including former Congressman Joseph Kennedy of Massachusetts, 
former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, U.S. Senators Hillary Clinton and 
Paul Sarbanes, and others. In addition, she is a noted public speaker 
who has delivered lectures before the National Foundation for Women 
Legislators and other distinguished audiences in both the public and 
private sectors.
  Prior to founding the Euro-American Women's Council, Loula served as 
Vice President of the United States Hellenic American National Council, 
which she co-founded with her husband, John. It helps to build bridges 
between Greek and American entrepreneurs and to advance women's 
opportunities in business and education.
  Loula is also a dedicated philanthropist and humanitarian who has 
devoted herself to serving others through many worthwhile causes. She 
sits on the Human Rights Advisory Council of New York, volunteers with 
the Daughters of Roumeli and the Hermes Athletic Club in New York, and 
was named Woman of the Year by the Boys Club of Queens. For her 
tireless humanitarian efforts, she was honored by the Asociacion 
Mexicana de Mujeres Jefas de Empresa. In particular, Loula has devoted 
herself throughout her life to assisting those affected by cancer and 
other serious illnesses, especially low-income children from Greece.
  Despite her busy career, Loula has remained focused on her beloved 
family. She is deeply devoted to her husband John, their daughter 
Rania, son Konstantine, daughter-in-law Nina, son John-Nicholas, Jr., 
daughter-in-law Nadia, and her ``crown jewels'', her grandchildren 
Aristotle, Konstantine John, and Isabella-Rania.
  Mr. Speaker, I request that my esteemed colleagues join me in paying 
tribute to the Association of Greek American Professional Women and its 
2011 Woman of the Year, Loula Loi Alafoyiannis.

                          ____________________