[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 1525-1526] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]NICHOLAS ROYCE, FIFTY YEARS AND STILL FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT ______ HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN of california in the house of representatives Wednesday, February 6, 2008 Mr. BERMAN, Madam Speaker, the name Nicholas Royce deserves to be added to the list of dedicated Americans who exemplify the spirit of achievement. He has earned this recognition for his long and outstanding career as a performer, and his devotion to many entertainment industry humanitarian causes, typifying the altruism that is so much a part of the American character. Of special significance is the fact that through his life, he has been in the forefront with the independent efforts and advocacy for civil, constitutional, human and spiritual rights. He was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to Theodore and Anastasia Vlangas, both natives of Sparta, Greece. At the age of 6 years old his family moved to Baltimore, Maryland where he became aware that this faith and origin were different from most Americans. Challenged by ethnic and religious obstacles, he became motivated to learn every truth he could about his faith and his origin. With the encouragement of his sister Stella, he made his show business debut at the Lord Baltimore Hotel and followed that with a successful tour of the east coast during school vacation, and all at the age of 14, and with his parents' blessing. After high school he entered the Armed Forces and entertained WWII vets in the Army base hospitals in the United States and Japan. Because of his ethnic look he became known as the Greek Fred Astaire in G.I. clothing. The Armed Forces had limited religious choices; Protestant, Catholic and Jewish. Where's a poor Greek Orthodox kid to go for religious salvation? Thanks to Nicholas and his late friend Senator Leverett Saltonstall, representing 500,000 Orthodox Catholics who fought and died for the constitution, a bill reached Congress in 1955 to create such a place in the military. Today servicemen wear tags designating Eastern Orthodoxy and have [[Page 1526]] Orthodox chaplains. Thirty-three States quickly recognized Eastern Orthodoxy as a major faith. After he left the service, the American Legion's Pennsylvanian district honored Royce for his continued efforts as an entertainer to bring joy to veterans in hospitals. After his visit to Turkey in 1965, Royce waged a tireless campaign to return St. Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul to an open house of worship instead of a museum. It was converted to a mosque in 1453 and Royce changed history with that campaign. Thanks to Royce, ``the Orthodox Christian cry for help'' has been taken to the United Nations human rights office in Geneva, European parliament, European Union, and to every religious and world leader and to every President since the Carter administration. Vlangas became Royce at his agent's request and with his parents' blessing, thus following the show business practice of the time. He changed his name, but never forgot who he was. Even at the height of his career in the late 40s and 50s the Nicholas Royce dancers stood for all good things and wowed 'em with Nat King Cole's ``Calypso Blues'', and a modern dance number based on ``Harlem Nocturn''. They performed in all the top supper clubs, niterys and TV shows; Ed Sullivan, Milton Berle, Kate Smith, etc. From his new home in California, starting in 1957, Nicholas Royce has exercised his rights as a layman of the Orthodox faith. He launched a vigorous letter writing campaign to mass media, Government officials, private and public agencies, industry and individuals, and he has succeeded in broadening the public's understanding and recognition of the Orthodox faith. Because ``exclusion of Orthodoxy is a form of discrimination and prejudice'', Nicholas has made these efforts, so Orthodoxy would be an integral part of American life along with other major faiths. Retired since 1994, Royce now resides in Valley Village, California. Retirement has given him more time to fight for AIDS victims, the homeless, and abused women and children. He broke the stereotype by joining the Hollywood Women's Press Club, Women in Film, and American Women in Radio and TV. In 1996, the University of Minnesota's Immigration history Research Center was pleased to announce the addition of ``the Nicholas Royce papers'' to their archival library. Never one to rest on his laurels, he continues to accept new challenges. ____________________