[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17955]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 90TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX 
                                 CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2013

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the St. George 
Greek Orthodox Church during their 90th Year Anniversary.
  The Valley's Greek population has roots dating back to the late 
1800s. Weekly religious services were not available at the time, so a 
Greek Orthodox priest would visit periodically to perform required 
services such as marriages, baptisms, and funerals. The infrequent 
visits by the priest prompted several individuals to consider 
establishing a church. In 1923, ``The Greek Community of Fresno'' was 
incorporated, and a priest from San Francisco began to visit regularly.
  The first St. George Greek Orthodox Church was built in ``Greek 
Town,'' where most of the Greek families had settled. The building 
served the Greek community for 50 years, and still stands today.
  When World War II ended, families grew and began to move into other 
areas of Fresno. Businesses were expanding throughout the city, and a 
new church was built in 1955. In the years that followed, many new 
traditions such as the Greek Food Festival started. Not only is the 
festival an annual fundraiser for the church, but residents from all 
over the Central Valley attend the celebration so they can enjoy 
dancing, food, and rich Greek culture.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 90th 
Year Anniversary of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church. Their mission 
to provide an infinite amount of faith, hope, and love to the public is 
highly respected and praised.

                          ____________________