[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 16501]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    THE AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the American 
Hellenic Institute, known as AHI.
  This year, AHI will be holding its 12th annual conference in my 
hometown of Miami. The conference provides an opportunity for the Greek 
American community to reflect on its role in American society and to 
advance and, indeed, strengthen U.S.-Greek relations.
  This will also include an awards banquet in which two members of the 
Miami area will be recognized for their service to the south Florida 
community and for promoting Hellenic ideals and values. This year's 
recipients of the Hellenic Heritage Public Service Award are Gus Andy 
and John Haralambides.
  John, who passed away, sadly, earlier this year, was the embodiment 
of all that AHI stands for. His legacy will forever live on through his 
deeds and through the school that he founded, the Archimedean Academy. 
I have had the privilege of being at that school, and I can account for 
its academic curriculum, which is simply outstanding.
  I congratulate the American Hellenic Institute, Gus Andy, and the 
family and friends of John for this important and meaningful 
recognition.


                      In Recognition of Tony Argiz

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and 
congratulate my good friend, Tony Argiz, who has been selected by the 
American Jewish Committee in south Florida to receive its 2013 National 
Human Relations Award.
  Tony has been an active member of our south Florida community for 
many years, so this honor is well deserved. He continues to play a 
vital role in enhancing and promoting the important relationship 
between the United States and Israel.
  This Human Relations Award is presented to leaders whose work within 
the community reflects the mission of the AJC, building bridges of 
understanding, and promoting freedom and democracy throughout the 
world. As Tony Argiz understands, in this dangerous time, we must stand 
together with our ally, the Democratic Jewish State of Israel, and 
continue to work together to preserve this oasis of freedom in a desert 
of oppression.
  Congratulations to Tony Argiz and to the American Jewish Committee in 
south Florida.


                       Protecting Women and Girls

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, involved citizens help our communities 
on important issues in order to raise awareness on human trafficking 
and help put an end to domestic violence.
  Domestic violence and human trafficking are widespread human rights 
violations that continue to plague our world, cutting across racial 
lines, ethnic lines, geographic borders. As a wife, mother, 
grandmother, and a female Member of Congress, I realize the profound 
responsibility that I have to work together with my congressional 
colleagues to pass legislation in a bipartisan manner that would speak 
to the very heart of each and every woman.
  As long as young girls and women across the globe continue to 
struggle to break through the shame and the silence that surrounds 
domestic violence and sexual trafficking, we must continue to put these 
issues on every national and global agenda. This year, Congress 
reauthorized the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and the Violence 
Against Women Act, two critical pieces of legislation to address the 
needs of these vulnerable members of our global society.
  I recently cosponsored two important resolutions to raise awareness 
on the need to protect women from the horrible attacks that they face. 
I will soon introduce legislation to amend current U.S. law that 
unintentionally facilitates domestic violence by forcing the return of 
a child in international child abduction cases despite a recognized 
risk to the child or the parent.
  But the reality is, Mr. Speaker, that government alone cannot combat 
these horrendous crimes against girls and women. We need your help. As 
a community, we have the obligation to fight these crimes and protect 
girls and women from domestic violence and human trafficking. Awareness 
is key in stopping these human rights abuses. These crimes are on the 
rise, but together we can make a difference. We must make a difference.
  Be the difference today in your community.

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