[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 159 (Friday, September 29, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE OPENING OF THE NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF THE PANCRETAN 
                         ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

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                           HON. CHRIS PAPPAS

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2023

  Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Pancretan 
Association of America (PAA) on the ribbon cutting ceremony of their 
first ever National Headquarters in the greater Washington, D.C. region 
in Bethesda, Maryland. As a proud Greek American and Co-Chair of the 
Congressional Hellenic Caucus, it is an honor to acknowledge the PAA's 
work in recognizing and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the 
island of Crete around the world.
  Founded by descendants from Crete, for over 90 years the Pancretan 
Association of America has been a cornerstone of the Greek-American 
community, striving to promote the historical significance of Crete, 
while honoring the cultural and historically Greek values of philoxenia 
and philotimo. Through its wide array of programs, the PAA promotes the 
longstanding Hellenic values of education, philanthropy, civil 
responsibility, and individual excellence. The PAA reaches out to 
Cretans of all ages and offers programs that strengthen their 
understanding and recognition of their culture, allows them to enjoy 
and preserve their heritage, and share it with others. These programs 
include many social, cultural, and educational activities that 
encompass Cretan culture, and scholarships that empower Cretan students 
to continue their education and become effective and responsible 
citizens.
  The Pancretan Association of America's mission to celebrate Crete's 
historical place in the Hellenic world is critical now more than ever 
with the ever-expanding relationship between the United States and 
Greece. I know that I would not be who I am or where I am today without 
my upbringing in a Greek family, which was so focused on serving 
others. Through hard work, determination, and the support of the Greek-
American community supporting him, my great-grandfather founded what 
would become our family restaurant, the Puritan Backroom. 106 years 
later it remains in our family, and the values that my great-
grandfather lived by still guide us today. These shared values bind our 
two nations and our communities together, and I applaud PAA's role in 
highlighting and furthering those values for generations to come.
  I congratulate the Pancretan Association of America on the opening of 
their first ever National Headquarters. This event marks a significant 
milestone in their history and is an important step towards the 
cultural preservation of Crete's heritage, strengthening the ties 
between our communities, and further solidifying the relationship 
between the United States and Greece.

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