[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 4275]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF ANDY ATHENS

  (Mr. BILIRAKIS asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of a 
great American and a dear friend, Mr. Andy Athens, who passed away last 
week at the age of 91.
  Since coming to Congress, Andy's counsel and wisdom have been 
invaluable to me in my role as cochair of the Hellenic Caucus. His 
presence will be greatly missed by my colleagues and me on Capitol 
Hill.
  Andy was a veteran of World War II, the chairman of Metron Steel, the 
first and longest tenured president of the World Council of Hellenes 
Abroad, and the founder of Orthodox Christian Charities.
  Andy's contributions to the Greek Orthodox Church must also not be 
overlooked. He was a tireless advocate for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, 
and his devotion was an inspiration for all of us in the Orthodox 
Church. He was truly an example of how Christ instructed us to live.
  Mr. Speaker, the Hellenic and Orthodox communities have lost an 
unparalleled leader, but we can rest assured his dedication and love 
for America, Greece, Cyprus, and the Orthodox Church will continue in 
the many lives he touched. May his memory be eternal.

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