[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 36 (Monday, March 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING WORLD WAR II VETERAN & CIVIL ENGINEER HELIAS DOUNDOULAKIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KATHLEEN M. RICE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 7, 2016

  Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
extraordinary life of Helias Doundoulakis, who passed away on February 
29th, 2016 at the age of 92. A long-time resident of New York's fourth 
congressional district, Mr. Doundoulakis was a decorated veteran of 
World War II and an accomplished civil engineer who played a critical 
role in developing some of the greatest aeronautic achievements of the 
20th century.
   Born in Ohio and raised in Crete, Greece, Mr. Doundoulakis was still 
in high school when Axis forces invaded Crete in 1941. Nevertheless, he 
joined the Cretan resistance and worked alongside the British Special 
Operations Executive, collecting vital intelligence for allied forces 
and sabotaging Axis military operations across the Mediterranean. When 
it became too dangerous for Mr. Doundoulakis to remain in Crete, he and 
his brother fled to Egypt, where they immediately rejoined the fight 
and enlisted in the United States Office of Strategic Services. Despite 
overwhelming danger, Mr. Doundoulakis' commitment to liberating Crete 
and defeating the Axis powers never wavered.
   After the war, Doundoulakis returned to the United States and 
settled in New York, where as a civil engineer for Grumman Aerospace 
Corporation, he helped develop several groundbreaking aeronautic 
innovations, including the Apollo Lunar Module, the Space Shuttle and 
the F-14 Tomcat fighter jet. One of Mr. Doundoulakis' most notable 
achievements was his patent for a radio telescope, used in the design 
for the largest of its kind at the NAIC Arecibo Observatory, in 
Arecibo, Puerto Rico, which is the world's largest single-aperture 
telescope and has played a crucial role in atmospheric and astronomical 
research. Mr. Doundoulakis served his country both as a courageous 
soldier and a bold innovator who helped propel the United States to the 
forefront of aviation and space exploration.
   While those who knew Mr. Doundoulakis mourn his passing, we also 
celebrate his incredible life and all that he achieved. It was truly an 
honor to serve as Mr. Doundoulakis' representative in Congress and I 
extend my sincere condolences to his wife Rita Doundoulakis, his 
children, grandchildren and to all those whose lives he touched.

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