[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 10 (Thursday, January 18, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E58]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      PANCYPRIAN ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA'S 2024 PERSON OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 18, 2024

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the PanCyprian 
Association of Florida's 2024 Person of the Year, Savas Tsivicos. A 
native from Cyprus, Mr. Tsivicos currently serves as Supreme President 
of AHEPA, the largest Hellenic-American organization in the country 
which has just celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. I'm proud to 
call myself an AHEPAN, a devoted member of the Tarpon Springs, George 
Washington Chapter No. 16. As the longest-standing Hellenic-American 
organization, AHEPA has helped to assimilate and educate Greek 
immigrants, like my grandparents, as they arrived in America. AHEPA has 
a lot to be proud of--its good works have elevated the stature of 
American citizens of Greek ancestry since its first convention in 
Atlanta in 1923. AHEPA has served as a beacon of all that is true and 
good about our culture.
  As a member of Congress, I have come to rely upon AHEPA's advice and 
counsel on a variety of issues, especially as it relates to my work as 
Co-Chair of the Hellenic Caucus and Congressional Hellenic-Israel 
Alliance. Together, we have worked to strengthen U.S. relations with 
Greece and Cyprus, secure religious freedom and protection for the 
Ecumenical Patriarchate, and promote solutions for Cyprus. With Mr. 
Tsivicos at the helm, AHEPA has continued to lead on the world stage 
calling out the intransigence of Turkey's President Erdogan. It has 
joined in the fight to prevent the sale of F-16s and F-16 modernization 
kits to Turkey. And, I am confident, that he will lead AHEPA to 
continue its work as an important partner in the charge to ensure the 
United States stands firm in its commitment to defend Greece against 
Turkish aggression.
  Domestically, AHEPA concluded an eight-year campaign that donated 
20,000 gallons of milk to assist victims of the Flint Water Crisis and 
helped neighbors recover from the East Palestine train derailment 
through a $7,500 donation; surpassed $1 million to sponsor over 100 
service dogs to help veterans who suffer from PTSD, collectively 
awarded millions of dollars in scholarships annually; and is set to 
begin work on two new affordable senior housing communities sponsored 
by chapters in Des Moines and South Bend.
  I subscribe to the old Greek proverb that a society grows great when 
old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit. The AHEPA 
pioneers who more than 100 years ago had a vision of eradicating 
bigotry and discriminination by promoting the ancient Hellenic ideals 
of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual 
excellence to encourage a more perfect society are beaming with pride 
from above. The fruits of their vision and their labor continue to 
prosper because of the efforts from those, like Mr. Tsivicos, who carry 
forth the mission throughout our country. Again, congratulation to the 
entire organization and to Mr. Tsivicos on leading AHEPA to have 
another productive year. I wish him continued success and many more 
years of fruitful educational, philanthropic, and civic endeavors.

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