[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 171 (Tuesday, October 16, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING JOHN CATSIMATIDIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 16, 2018

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
contributions of John Catsimatidis to our nation. John's story 
showcases the very best of what immigrants can accomplish in our great 
nation through hard work, ingenuity, and perseverance.
  John was born on the Greek island of Nisyros and came to this country 
when he was just a few months old. He grew up in East Harlem, and 
attended New York University to pursue a degree in electrical 
engineering. Beginning with partial ownership of a friend's 
supermarket, he grew his business into a proud pillar of American 
industry. In addition to Gristedes supermarket, John Catsimatidis's Red 
Apple Group is primarily an energy company with holdings in oil 
refining, real estate, aviation, and medical and industrial technology. 
His businesses, which post annual sales of approximately $5 billion, 
employ more than 8,000 people. John's business success came directly 
from the integration of his own ingenuity with American opportunity, 
and adds to a long legacy of immigrants who have pushed our nation to 
greater heights.
  John and his family have also been exceptional in their commitment to 
philanthropy. The Catsimatidis Foundation has been instrumental in 
supporting numerous worthy causes including the Police Athletic League, 
the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, the Hellenic Times Scholarship 
Fund, AHEPA and countless others. His family's generosity will ensure 
that many thousands will find relief from their suffering and future 
generations will have access to resources that will allow them to 
pursue their dreams.
  As a benefactor of John's philanthropy, the Order of AHEPA, has 
promoted the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic 
responsibility, family and individual excellence through community 
service and volunteerism. AHEPA was instrumental in welcoming the early 
Greek immigrants as they disembarked at Ellis Island, and eased their 
assimilation into the American culture by teaching English and finding 
employment opportunities for these new arrivals.
  The Delphi Chapter No. 25 of AHEPA was founded in Manhattan, New 
York. It has had many notable and prominent members in its history, 
including many Phil-Hellenes who embraced AHEPA's ideals and values. On 
March 11, 1931 the then New York State Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt 
became a member of the Order of AHEPA and joined the Delphi Chapter No. 
25 in New York City. The Delphi 25 Chapter continues on today the 
tradition of AHEPA's ideals and values of promoting education and 
Hellenism through many efforts of public service and philanthropy.
  I join the AHEPA in honoring John Catsimatidis for his numerous 
achievements and philanthropic efforts in service to the Greek-American 
community and humanity at large. I thank him for his outstanding 
service to our country. Worthy. Worthy. Worthy. (Axios. Axios. Axios.)

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