[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16745]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 16745]]

        IN RECOGNITION OF THE CYPRUS FEDERATION OF AMERICA, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 10, 2001

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the 
Cyprus Federation of America, Inc. which will be hosting its annual 
Awards Gala on September 28, 2001, and to pay tribute to the 
distinguished guests it will honor that evening. The Cyprus Federation 
of America is an umbrella organization representing the Cypriot 
American community in the United States. The largest Hellenic Cypriot 
community outside of Cyprus is located in the 14th congressional 
district, which I am fortunate to represent. As the founder and co-
chair of the Hellenic Caucus, I am proud to be their representative.
  This year the Cyprus Federation of America, Inc. will honor four 
individuals who have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to the 
cause of justice and freedom for Cyprus, and to the preservation of the 
ideals and principles of the Hellenic American community. The President 
of the Republic of Cyprus, Glafcos Clerides will present the guests of 
honor with their awards. The honorees are, His Eminence Archbishop 
Demetrios of America, the State Treasurer of California, the Hon. 
Philip Angelides, past president of Cyprus Federation of American, 
Inc., Mr. Andreas D. Comodromos and noted businessman and 
philanthropist, Nicholas Bouras. His Eminence Archbishop Demerios will 
be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his unsurpassed 
contributions to the field of spiritual guidance.
  Archbishop Demetrios, was born on February 1, 1928 in Thessaloniki, 
Greece. The older son of Christos and Georgia Trakatellis, he attended 
the Experimental High School of the Aristotelian University of 
Thessaloniki from which he graduated as valedictorian in June of 1946.
  Throughout his life his devotion of God and spirituality played an 
integral role in his education and career aspirations. He entered the 
School of Theology of the National and Capodistrian University of 
Athens in 1946 where he received his theology degree and special 
recognition for his outstanding work. In 1960, at the age of 32, he was 
ordained to the office of the Diaconate and in 1964 ordained as a 
Priest. In 1965 he enrolled at Harvard University to pursue his Ph.D. 
He received scholarships to study at the Graduate School of Arts and 
Sciences and was also honored with the prestigious Arthur Darby Nick 
Fellowship.
  On June 20, 1967 he was elected Titular Bishop of Vresthena. He 
received a Doctorate of Philosophy from Harvard University in November 
1971. In 1977, he received a second Doctorate in Theology from the 
Faculty of the School of Theology of the National and Capodistrian 
University of Athens. Three years later he was invited to teach at the 
Harvard University Divinity school as a visiting professor.
  His academic and theological accomplishments made him an incomparable 
candidate for the position of Greek Orthodox Archbishop of North and 
South American, a position he was named to on September 18, 1999, and 
continues to hold to this very day.
  The Honorable Philip Angelides, Treasurer of the great state of 
California has provided outstanding leadership as a businessman, and 
civil servant. The policies and programs implemented by Mr. Agelides as 
Treasurer have been credited with bolstering the economic strength of 
California.
  Mr. Angelides graduated from Harvard University and was a Core 
Foundation fellow. He served in California government for eight years, 
during which time he established a reputation as being a leader on 
issues such as affordable housing and urban planning. In 1986, he 
formed his own investment management business, which quickly became a 
success.
  Mr. Angelides has been active in the civic life of his community and 
State for more than 25 years during which time he helped coordinate a 
unique bi-partisan civic committee, which helped reform the once 
troubled Sacramento City Unified School District. Mr. Angelides made 
history by becoming the first Greek American elected to statewide 
office in California. He and his wife Julie continue to reside in their 
hometown of Sacramento where they have three daughters: Megan, 
Christina and Arianna.
  Mr. Andreas D. Comodromos is being honored with the Justice for 
Cyprus Award for his impassioned work to bring justice and peace to 
Cyprus. Andreas was born in Famagusta Cyprus on March 27, 1949. The son 
of Demetrios and Aphrodite Comodromos, he was raised in the Village of 
Vatili and after completing high school served in the military. He then 
joined the Cyprus offices of American Life Insurance Co.
  In 1973, he married American born Anna C. Zachaiades. They built 
their home in Cyprus, where they planned to raise their family. The 
1974 Turkish invasion resulted in the loss of their home. In April of 
that year they emigrated to the United States where Andreas pursued his 
college degree. Mr. Comodromos graduated Magna Cum Laude from Saint 
Peter's College in 1978, with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He 
later founded the accounting firm of Comodromos Associates, P.A. with 
his brother Michael. He has remained the President and managing partner 
of the firm, which is based in Paramus, NJ, ever since.
  Andreas's immense success in America has not diminished his love and 
appreciation for the land in which he was born, which is why he 
continues to work for justice and peace in Cyprus. He has held several 
positions on the Board of the Cyprus Federation of America and served 
as its President for two consecutive terms. He was also elected to the 
National Council of the Order of Saint Andrew.
  Andreas was a recipient of the 1996 Ellis Island Medal of Honor for 
outstanding contributions to America and distinguished community 
service. He is currently serving as President of the Cyprus-U.S. 
Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Council of Hellenes Abroad 
(SAE), North and South American Region. He continues to reside with his 
family in Kinnelon, New Jersey.
  Nicholas Bouras is being honored with the Humanitarian and 
Philanthropic Award for his many contributions to various humanitarian 
and philanthropic efforts. Mr. Bouras was born in Pontiac, Michigan and 
was raised in Chicago, Illinois. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army 
Air Corps and served in combat in the European Theater of Operations 
during World War II. During his service he flew 42 combat missions in 
B-26 and A-26 medium bombers as a lead bombardier and navigator until 
the end of the war in Europe. He was discharged with the rank of major 
and awarded the distinguished Flying Cross, eight Air Medals and five 
Battle Stars.
  In 1955, he graduated from the School of Commerce at Northwestern 
University, located in Evanston, Illinois. Beginning in 1940, Mr. 
Bouras worked for the United States Steel Corporation for nearly two 
decades. In 1960 he began his own steel construction company with his 
lifetime partner, Anna K. Bouras. He continues to work as the owner and 
president of Bouras Industries, which now has locations in New Jersey, 
Pennsylvania and South Carolina and approximately 750 employees.
  Mr. Bouras is also the founder of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox 
Church in Westfield, New Jersey. He is also a member of the 
Archdiocesan Council and a member of the Executive Board of the 
Archdiocesan Council of America for which he also serves as Secretary. 
He is a member of the National Board of the Order of St. Andrew the 
Apostle and also serves as its Executive Vice President.
  In 1999 he too received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and a year 
later was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American 
Subcontractors Association of New Jersey. Ernst and Young awarded him 
the 2000 entrepreneur Award and in 2001 he was presented with the 
Hellenic Heritage Achievement Award by the American Hellenic Institute. 
On May 19, 2001 he was awarded a Doctorate of the Humanities by the 
Hellenic College of Holy Cross. In March 2001 the American Hellenic 
Institute of Political Affairs Committee (AHIPAC) honored him for his 
outstanding contributions to the Hellenic Community.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Cyprus 
Federation of America, Inc. and its distinguished guests for their 
tremendous accomplishments, and tireless efforts for human rights and 
justice for Cyprus.

                          ____________________